Bash is a recording artist, producer and media review analyst originally from the Belleville and East St. Louis area of Illinois, now based in Dallas, Texas. Starting over in a new city is never easy, especially in a competitive music scene, but Bash has approached the move with the mindset of an entrepreneur: build the brand, stay consistent and do not look back.
A mixtape every month
Consistency is at the heart of Bash’s strategy. When we spoke, he had just finished the third of twelve mixtapes he planned to release that year, one every month. His January release, “One Five Nine Five”, was followed by “I Can Feel The Love”, which dropped on Valentine’s Day, and he was already preparing a St. Patrick’s Day track titled “Get Pinched 4 Da Green”.
His sound is lyrical, emotional and grounded in real experience, and he handles much of the production himself.
Turning struggle into motivation
Bash is open about the hard times behind his music. “I just keep my eyes on my own paper and focus on my team,” he says. “We all have struggles. It’s about whether you can keep pushing. I’ve dealt with a lot, from addiction to depression. I’ve overcome it, and I’m going to get what I deserve.”
Self-taught and independent
Learning the business side of music was one of his biggest challenges. Rather than relying on others, he chose to cut out the middleman. “I’m self-taught,” he explains. “No one taught me to mix or master. I went to YouTube University. I made things happen when I wanted them to, instead of waiting on someone else.” Today his music is available across the major streaming and sales platforms.
The people behind him
Bash credits three key influences for keeping him on track: his father, Westley Dent; his mentor, CEO and manager Demond Dawson; and his faith in God. He is a regular presence at Dallas open mics and community outreach events, where he performs and supports other local artists.
Collaboration and what comes next
Collaboration is a big part of his plans. He works closely with fellow artist ChrissyOg, his partner in a music duo, and handles the engineering, mixing and mastering for her upcoming projects. The two are also completing a joint mixtape.
Like many independent artists, Bash lost performance opportunities when concerts and festivals were restricted during the pandemic. Now that live events have returned, he is focused on strengthening his foundation, growing his audience and making a difference both on stage and in the community.
Follow Bash
- Twitter: Bashfromthegang
- Instagram: Officialbashfromthegang
This interview was documented by #Focuseddd.
