DEVMO is the petite red-headed rapper that's shaking up the industry. She knows how to put a play on words and her flow is impeccable. She's getting ready for her SXSW showcase and at this point she seems poised for world domination.
How did you get started in music?
DEVMO: I've been playing guitar and songwriting since I was maybe 10 years old. Pop music was always a huge influence in my life. As I got older I started to really dive deep into hiphop and fell in love with the rhythm of rap. I was friends with a rap group at my school called The Killbots and forced them to get me on a track. They ended up loving my voice and rap, and we worked together for awhile after that. I was so high every time I left a studio or was on a stage and I just knew this was what I wanted to do forever.
I’m dying at your Kylie Jenner song, can you tell me the story behind the song?
DEVMO: Yessss! Love that you love it. The song sort of stemmed from a day dream. I was just thinking about how great it'll be when I'm successful and everyone knows my name and my music. I'd get Kylie Jenner type girls and some respect for once. It's hard to get people to care or listen when you're first starting out. So I crave the day fans actually know all my lyrics.
What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the music industry?
DEVMO: There have been lots of challenges so far. Money is a big one. Every thing costs money in music, from the beat to studio time to the video to promotion. It's very costly at this level. Getting people to read my emails, getting people to pay attention, click a link, because they don't know my name.. that's always difficult. Staying consistent and driven when you feel like you work so hard for only a few thousand people to listen, that's rough. So I think the biggest challenge is staying inspired and driven when your work and progress don't feel like they match up.
Especially being a female rapper, I think there’s so much room for femme rappers but everyone seems to think they’re all competing with each other. How can we lift up other female rappers?
DEVMO: That's a good question. I'm not really sure. I think more women need to rap in general. Cardi has shown us that we can get the same numbers, or better, as most male rappers in the industry. There can be hundreds of famous female rappers like there are male rappers. I think the world is seeing that and we're progressing in that way and that's really awesome to see. I'm excited to be a part of that.
What has been inspiring you lately?
DEVMO: I went to go see Token live at the Roxy the other night, that was pretty inspiring. Seeing people like my friend FLAVIA, an independent artist, slay the way she does inspires me so much. Musically I've been loving JID and Joyner Lucas. Fast rap gives me life.
What are you looking forward to during SXSW? Tell me about this showcase!
DEVMO: The showcase is at the Mohawk Indoor on Saturday March 16th and I'm on at 11pm for "Kosha Dillz Presents: Oy Vey". This is my third year at SXSW and my second year doing an official showcase. It's one of my favorite shows every year. The energy in Austin during SXSW is so exciting and there are such great panels and networking. It's everything for an independent artist, so I'm thrilled.
Anything else in store for this year?
DEVMO: I will be dropping loads of content this year. I just dropped my video for "Kylie Jenner", during SXSW I'll be dropping a video for "Change My Mind", then dropping a track called "Stayin' Here" and much much more.
What’s your best piece of advice for young women?
DEVMO: Start, work hard, and don't give up! Same advice I give myself lol.
Follow Devmo on Twitter and Instagram and watch her Kylie Jenner video now.
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