Today we’d like to introduce you to D. Santos.
Hi D., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. When I was nine years old, I started studying English on my own and dreaming of coming to the United States one day. After graduating from college in Journalism, I first came to the United States in 2017 as a crew member on a cruise ship. Little did I know, that was just the beginning of my journey. In 2018, I came back to the US, but this time through an au pair program. I was an au pair in New York, Oregon, and finally Minnesota. After the program ended, life had redirected my goals. After going through hard times financially and with relationships, I began to experience depression with no one to rely on for support. Life as an immigrant often makes challenges twice as hard. First, I experienced a breakup, then I began to experience breakthrough. I was working multiple jobs, and in my personal time, I began to write music based on my experiences with spirituality and mental health. In 2022, I met my partner who I am now engaged to for 2.5 years. It was at this time that I felt my life started turning around for the better. My partner, Nat (they/them), brought so much light and encouragement into my life that took some of the weight off of my back and allowed me to become a better version of myself. It was during this year that I began believing I could use music to help other people in similar situations to believe that this is not the end and there are better days ahead.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road since coming to the United States in 2018. Financially, life has been stressful. Being an immigrant in the United States, finding work that matches your passions isn’t always easy. You don’t always have a lot of choices. You often just have to do the work that you find available. Another challenge I faced was being in an unhealthy relationship that led to developing ptsd, anxiety, depression, and suicidal episodes.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Brazilian Hip-Hop artist. I write uplifting songs, all written in Portuguese, that follow a 1990s nostalgic hip-hop style. The themes in my music include mental health, compassion, spirituality, and peace. Something that sets me apart is that I translate the lyrics to my songs. When I am performing, I have the translated lyrics available to the audience. I am proud of the way that my music connects to all ages by bringing songs that focus on encouraging topics and do not include profanity. I feel that the audiences I have connected with in Minnesota have enjoyed my music and performances despite not understanding Portuguese. I really believe in the power of music and its ability to connect us all together beyond language differences.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
A resource that has made a big impact on my creative process is FL Studio. This software has allowed me to produce my own music on my own time and given me the freedom to try new things. I also had taken a mixing and mastering class through Academia de Beats that has helped me to develop my skills and grow as an artist. Another resource that has helped bring my art together is Linktree where I can use it almost as a headquarters for my translated lyrics, music video, streaming platforms, and social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktree.com/d.santosofficial
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/d.santosofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVYlkQkoz0M
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/18AnyCZ2mgo1xcDSQ893H6
