Exclusive Interview
BIO Derek “Dejuan Whaley” (stage name) a.k.a d.whale is an African-American hip-hop recording artist born in Philadelphia, PA on September 4th, 1993. He was raised in South Jersey. His roots are from the Ivory Coast, Abidjan in Cote d’ivoire which is in West Africa. Dejuan is the founder of Music Crave Entertainment. M.C.E.™ is a platform dedicated to the exposure of the melting pot of creative geniuses on the South Side of New Jersey. September 4th, 2015 M.C.E.™ released their debut project “Revelations EP” which helped Dejuan Whaley, EPIK & YK to establish their local recognition. Revelations is a metaphor for an awakening.The project is a narrative of the lives of the artist beginning with their adolescence stage in which they’re glorifying the dollar, hoes and drugs. As the story progresses the artist experience their “Revelation” in which they realize what is most important in their short existence on this planet. There is a realization that with our words we can be an inspiration. A few months prior to its release, a collaboration with Chicago’s Mick Jenkins came in the form of a single entitled “Newton’s Law.” Dejuan is gearing up to drop a second single featuring Mick Jenkins entitled “Rude Awakening” off his debut solo project entitled “Identity Crisis” which is set to drop in 2017. I.D. will be a narrative of the personal challenges Dejuan faced in 2016 but most importantly it’ll be addressing America’s addiction to opioids. Drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury death in the US and the pharmaceutical companies are the new Mafia. Dejuan is using his platform to address this issue the the US purposely neglects.
Top 5 Influences: 1. 2Pac 2. Jay-Z 3. Nas 4. Kanye West 5. Kendrick Lamar
What helped you get into music? I was always in love with music so become a writer basically happened naturally. 2006; I first starting writing rhymes in the 6th grade when I met M.C.E. artist YK however at the time it was only for fun. In 2011 I attended a boarding school in Lecompte, Louisiana. While attending I was introduced to D.C. artist Diztrict who inspired me to take the music serious once I got out in.
What is one thing you would tell your fans? I would tell them that they have greatness within them. That despite any setbacks you may encounter that you can accomplish it. I want them to understand that people throughout history have accomplished the unimaginable although they may have been facing insurmountable odds! The music isn’t about me it’s about how can it impact the lives of other people. I want to thank them for the love and support because without them I’d be light years behind where I’ve made it today! Thank you!
