Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Eason
Hi Daniel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Eason is my father’s last name but I grew up in a single parent household with my sickly mother trying her hardest to raise me. It wasn’t ironic that a lot of roles were flipped, but even maturing from a very young age, you never know how twisted things are until you’re older. I believe a lot of what kept me sane was that known “New York stubbornness” us natives are proud of – regardless, I was heavily introverted. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always loved people but when childhoods complicate, staying inside was the ladder option for a creative such as myself, especially when there’s little to no father figure to set an example of what a man should be. After failing at making solid friends, I found an outlet through writing raps and singing R&B originals. I’ve always lived a fantasy in my own mind which I later realized, was a coping mechanism for stressful and adult situations I should’ve never been in. Social settings were taught through music I listened to, becoming my therapy and muse in dark times. My habit for music became obsession in August of 2018 and for many years since, I dreamt of becoming someone in the music scene. It’s kind of funny how I coped difficult times with near impossible odds that were more than just stacked against me but there’s that New York stubbornness I had mentioned, visibly shining through. Music or a normal path? There was no other option nor second thought about it. It was just “How will I?” over “Can I?”. Once I was old enough to leave that environment, the real challenge began. I forced myself to be extroverted so I built meaningful relationships and secured opportunities that came my way but what was more difficult was unlearning a lot of behaviors that were toxic from my childhood traumas. I moved to Florida in October of 2022 and tuned into my lust addiction with the opportunity of a polygamous relationship. Bits and pieces of it can be felt in my first official release, ‘Ally of Sin’, one of many therapeutic projects that tell an A to B story with different experiences that can be connected on the 2nd – 4th listen. The Mixtape’s name is a double entendre, either being pronounced “Ally” or as I say – “Alley”, both in reference of how lustful desire can keep you in dark places. Throughout the years, I wrote to this project to help overcome lust and as of 2024, it’s officially been released with the help of peers who I can call, lifetime friends. All of this.. stemmed from faith and passion. I’m currently working with event planners and entrepenuaers to help clean up the city of Jacksonville while growing my name – Eason. The next step for me, is going back home and getting my mother out of the situation she’s in. She still needs my help and this time, I get to help her as a man.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The roads I grew up on were never smooth, both literally and metaphorically. I think a big part of the introvert in me, was the fact I never had a people to call home. I grew up in a beautiful 2 story mansion on a mountain in Clinton Corners, New York, where you could watch the 4 seasons pass from a front row view. Winters were rough, always having to shovel snow just to get to the closest corner store, but it was child’s play for me. There was a point in time where my mother was holding me by the window while the sun set over the horizon, telling me “You’re the center of my world and the most special person to ever exist.” A lot of my memories in that house were a blur since we were evicted due to my father’s failed payments – such a bittersweet era, given these core memories fell on both sides of our family dynamic. I would be caught in the crossfire of guns, needles, knives and pipes before I could walk but the nature was breathtaking. A decade later I was living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with the belief I had to be special but granted, how could a half Native, Black and Italian child fit in with a family split between European and African decent? I had friends in each town/city I lived in but never found a clique to call my own. I was just the cousin, nephew, brother or relative from Upstate New York visiting the big city for occasion. Being so detached from my routes in South Carolina, is where I be-founded my deepened love for rap and song. However, making it a reality was forever step one.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Who else finds their backstory unique from most who pursue the life of a world renown rapper? That’s always the dream – the goal, right? Yet, where I come from and have experienced isn’t your typical “me and your hood was cool” backstory. I had retired members of the Italian Mob in my life, alongside the mentality that plagued them, influence me. Classic Hip-Hop was relevant but the early 2010’s sound caught my ear more so than any other during the time period. Now that I’m here in Jacksonville, Florida, the goal remains the same with the idea of creating a scene for the world of modern music. I’ve created a nuance of blended genres from all eras. My Mixtape, “Ally of Sin” represents this blend of culture. From local Reggaeton singers to EDM vocalists over a 1920’s noir instrumental, my ability to brand a different style, not only mirrors my experience as an outcast, but is integrally the glue needed to make a cohesive body of work that tells a rollercoaster of an emotional story – a monument of modern hookup culture in which, thematically ties in religious morale expectation. The idea of it all was to sound pretty when you hear me but ugly when you see me. The records cover is of a woman in a horned mask, which has been used all throughout the music videos the team and I, storyboarded and directed. Deeper meanings and symbolism are apparent but none overshadow the records climax, ‘Responsibility’ and the finale, ‘War Room’ giving a better example of where my headspace is tied between. Hookup culture is the downfall of genuine love, and a piece of ideology I want us to take into consideration moving forward with the next generation. We love what we do and we’re currently in the process of cleaning up the city one alleyway at a time. I would love self-awareness and action to be my legacy when Jacksonville’s on the map. At this rate It’s not about “if” but “when.”
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Ally of Sin started as a passion project in a kids bedroom that has now evolved into an active movement across social groups who are putting on for the city. Everything we do is out of care and consideration. The most effective support I can ask of you is being a fan of the music and following me on social media to know where you’ll find me at our next event gathering or performance. We’re right here in Jacksonville, Florida. Any locals or opportunists are welcomed to contact me. Let’s work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/eason/ally-of-sin
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/daniel._.eason?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1a1rpzjd3dodx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.eason.731?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYAWieIrMISqMeI8BmMI8cw
- Other: https://linktr.ee/DanielEason
