Explore Danny Brown's career evolution, collaborations with notable artists, and the creation process behind the song 'Y.B.P.' with Bruiser Wolf. Reflect on his unique voice and late-blooming success in the music industry. Dive into his personal struggles, growth through rehab, and the inspiration behind his music. Learn about the artistic journey, Detroit culture influence, and the impact of childhood memories. Wrap up with a playthrough of 'Y.B.P.' and a teaser for a new show called The Recipe focusing on food wisdom.
Danny Brown's career started flourishing in his 30s, showcasing success at a later stage in life.
Through heartfelt lyrics and personal experiences, Danny Brown creates music to connect with listeners.
Deep dives
Danny Brown's Career Journey and Personal Struggles
Danny Brown, a rapper from Detroit, started his career by handing out mixtapes. Despite becoming recognized for his music, collaborating with various artists, and achieving success, he faced personal challenges. During a dark period following a breakup and living alone during the pandemic, he found solace in creating music. Brown's album 'Quaranta' reflected his emotional journey, emphasizing his authentic storytelling inspired by his hometown experiences.
Music Creation Process and Personal Inspiration
In the creation of his song 'YBP' featuring Bruiser Wolf, Brown shared insights into his music-making process. Amidst loneliness and substance abuse struggles, he turned to creating music to express his feelings. Brown's approach involved heartfelt lyrics inspired by personal experiences, such as childhood memories from Detroit. His music creation aimed to connect with listeners by sharing authentic narratives layered with emotional depth.
Artistic Evolution and Self-Discovery
Brown reflected on his artistic evolution, emphasizing the importance of staying true to his Detroit roots in his music. Overcoming substance abuse and realizing the deeper reasons behind his struggles, he found a renewed sense of purpose. Through self-discovery and addressing underlying trauma, Brown redefined his artistic persona, prioritizing authenticity and connecting with listeners through his music. His journey highlighted personal growth, resilience, and a newfound appreciation for his accomplishments.
Danny Brown started his career in 2007 by handing out mixtapes in Detroit, where he’s from. In 2011, he put out his acclaimed second album, XXX. Since then, he’s collaborated with rappers like Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky and JPEGMafia, but he’s also worked with electronic bands like Purity Ring and The Avalanches, and he did a verse on a remix for Korn.
When I first heard him, around when XXX came out, I was really drawn to his voice. And I also appreciated that, given how young so many artists are now when they get really famous, Danny Brown’s career really started taking off in his 30s. He put out his sixth album, Quaranta, in 2023. And for this episode, I talked to him about one of the songs from that album, called “Y.B.P.," which features guest vocals from Bruiser Wolf.