Many think of the Caribbean is a few islands off the coast of Florida. Not at all. It’s this beautiful array of islands that stretch all the way down to South America. Which is where we’re taking you today to speak to Darius 1061. An educated artist who takes elements from EDM, Soca and Rock Darius 1061 shared with us where the numerics of his namesake comes from, the hills of Trinidad and what’s up next.
Kendra: How important was it to incorporate that latitude and longitude of your Trinidad into your artistry?
Darius 1061: Actually it’s 10, -61 coming from a culture that relatively still unknown geographically and otherwise – good to dig deep into the bowels of that which made me and hold onto a chunk of it.
I worked as a part-time sales rep for a local telecommunications company. Daily I would go door to door selling internet packages. The more I sold the better my commission and there was no base salary. All info was logged onto tablets that recorded lines of longitude and latitude. the rest is history.
My name defines my persona. The syncopated riddims and colorful extensions create a captivating tapestry of Caribbean life. #bittersweet #workharder
Kendra: Do you feel you would’ve grown to do the same style of music you do now if you’d grown up elsewhere without the sounds of calypso and what not constantly in the air?
Darius 1061: I am a product of my community. The probability might be less than 10% who knows. All I know is that I can sing more than one genre there are no limits to where and what I can and cannot do. It’s truly an exciting time in my life.
Kendra: Last year you earned a music degree. Did you go to school more so to learn to be a better artist, or for the accolade of having a degree?
Darius 1061: I earned an Artist Diploma (AD) Artist Performance, Emphasis Voice. This programme undoubtedly fixed me and made me whole. Artists are emotional beings, more so than most beings out there. Controlling your mind its senses. The psyche is renewed.
Kendra: Right now you have a single out and about entitled “Do You.” When is the last time you treated yourself and just had to do you and what did you do?
Darius 1061: Growing up alongside a hill everything always seemed more attractive when it was going down. Especially things on wheels. Picked up a new scooter vibe. Went to the top of the hill and bee-lined straight down this was last week Sunday. It rained heavily for the next couple of days.
Kendra: Couldn’t help but notice your Instagram was full of some silly Snapchat filter looking pics. What filter is your go to?
Darius 1061: I like the one with when you’re at the steering wheel. Life is fun when inked…
Kendra: What’s next for you musically?
Darius 1061: Record, live, record, live. Also, music videos, thinking about doing a Christmas single not sure yet. I just came from the recording studio have a wicked Holiday record to pop soon.
