Meet Carlos Dwayne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Dwayne.

Hi Carlos, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am Carlos Barrett Jr. My stage name is comprised of my first and middle name. I love to have fun and inspire people in any way. I am a singer, songwriter, dancer, creative director, and everything else that has to do with art. I started out writing poetry at a very young age after being in different writing classes in school. I always had a love for writing and reading poetry and that poetry turned into music. I also started singing at a young age with my father who was a singer, musician, and songwriter. He helped me to have an ear for music, and I grew a strong love for it. I also took music, musical theater and choir classes from elementary school to high school. In 2017, when my dad passed unexpectedly I channeled my grief through music as an artist and songwriter, and decided that it was what I wanted to do as a career.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This has not been an easy road at all. Sometimes it gets very hard financially and emotionally as an independent artist because I have to do almost everything myself. There is no label to finance the music, videos, marketing, etc., so I have to do majority of those things myself. My team does help out a lot with taking some of the burden off of me, and I am very grateful for them. Sometimes being an artist gets discouraging because you can give everything you have to a project, and the numbers/streams and lack of income from this career make it challenging. I have had to learn a lot of lessons along this road, but it’s made me more aware and more eager to learn as much as I can about this business.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a singer, songwriter, dancer and creative director. I always strive to make music that people can listen to years from now and still feel emotions from. I don’t want to be an artist that fades with the trends, so I really put a lot of focus into creating art and a body of work. Authenticity to me is just being who I can be the best way I can without conforming to what the rest of the world is doing. I don’t want to sound like anyone else, perform like anyone else, or be like anyone else. I go into my box and create as if the rest of the world does not exist, and I think it allows me to pour out things that only I can the way that I can. That is something that I am very proud of.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
One thing that I always say to people and want the world to know is that it is completely okay to be you. Live free in who you are and know that even your imperfections are someone else’s inspiration. The world is waiting for what you have to offer, and you just have to try to stay out of your own way and give it to them. You’re here for a reason and don’t miss that reason. Don’t leave this world with dreams because they aren’t supposed to go in the grave with you. Your gifts/creations are supposed to be in this world changing it, and never forget that. If I knew then what I know now when I released my first song in 2018 I would tell myself don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. I hadn’t really sung in about four to five years prior to this. I also learned so much about the production/engineering side of things and my voice that I would focus on. I’m still learning now but definitely in a different place.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: iamcarlosdwayne
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/FlyGuyAmI
• Twitter: iamcarlosdwayne
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh_scd_PSmT-mPf8vYLG5hg

Image Credits
J-Wash Productions (IG: @JWASHPRODUCTIONS)