Rising Stars: Meet Derrek Jensen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Derrek Jensen.

Hi Derrek, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Absolutely! I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember and started making music around 15 years old. This lifestyle has led me through some pretty miraculous highs and lows across different lands, with all walks of life.

My experience in life was a very secluded one with a shaped perspective, being raised in Wyoming. Once I grew up, I moved to Denver, CO to free my mind and chase my dreams. That’s when everything changed for me. The fire that drives me is definitely inequality, unfairness, poverty, and social injustice. I never realized it growing up, but some of my music has spiritually charged undertones, grounded in some form of protest or activism. Believe it or not, I’ve been profiled and mistreated just about everywhere I go. I relate to everybody in some way and being an empath means I feel their pain too. As a healer, my mission has always been to help people if I can. That boils down to the simple fact that life has not been kind to me, and I don’t want people to feel how I did.

Even spreading simple moments of joy lights my world. Making my daughter smile is my favorite! But bringing music to the world and connecting fans with their favorite artists is definitely a strong number 2! That pursuit of happiness mixes pretty well with my desire to expose injustice and express myself.

The reason I originally started writing music is that it’s a form of therapy. As I’ve matured down my path, my music has evolved with me and has been basically documenting my healing journey. So many beautiful souls have reached out to me telling me how my music kept them warm when life was cold. To be honest, I get messages almost daily about it and it makes all the pain I’ve gone through worth it, knowing it helped someone else process their own.

My art is what frees my soul and helps me breathe. But my knack for business and the hustle is what helped me become successful in the music industry. In order to survive the harsh, competitive nature of the industry, I became a jack of all trades. It started with learning to promote shows locally and turned into booking tours nationally. Soon enough I realized I didn’t want to make small amounts of money to perform in front of small amounts of people, so I reached out to a celebrity named Lil Wyte who gave me my first shot in the big leagues. I did so well that Project Pat’s people reached out, and before I knew it I was on tour with names like Do or Die, Afroman, KXNG Crooked, Obie Trice, Swifty from D12, Haystak, Bezz Believe, and more.

Even when the pandemic came and took my ability to tour away, I studied finance and ended up making tons of money in stocks & crypto. Without saying too much, I’m currently developing a business that will utilize that and emerging technology as well as my vast experience in the music industry as an artist and businessman. I’m still looking for the right people and investors to make sure it’s done right, but I believe it will revolutionize the entire world.

And I think that’s what makes me who I am. I want to make the world a better place. Maybe it’s slightly delusional to think a nobody from a nowhere town can make an impact that can change lives like that. But I’ve already done it, so in my mind, I just have to do it bigger and reach more people. It’s definitely people like you who make that possible, so thank you for reaching out.

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?
It’s been a bumpy roller coaster ride, for sure. I’ve attracted some nasty people who did me dirty and blocked my blessings. That’s forced me to overcome every obstacle sent my way, including myself.

The rockstar lifestyle is full of temptation and I was far from perfect. I’ve lost a lot. I’ve struggled with mental health issues including anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, addiction, and alcoholism. Life growing up came with a lot of trauma and making music helped me cope. Unfortunately, the lifestyle created an addiction to escape that’s followed me my whole career.

I’m happy to say I’m sober and doing well now, releasing my new record Empathy EP on April 18, 2o23. My baby’s in school and I co-parent well with her mother. My music is reaching more people than ever! I’m still struggling here and there, deciding how I want to make enough money to survive and to build my dreams now that I’ve taken a break from tour booking, but that struggle is part of true success, so I’m here for it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My passion is making music. It started with rap/hip hop, where I’d vent my life into my music. After I made enough fans I realized my music was directly impacting them by not only helping them but influencing them. When I used to be known for partying and getting high, I realized my fans were just like me. And I didn’t want that for them, so that started the spiritual healing journey that brought me where I am today. Many of my fans who were strung out or struggling are now raising families and working good jobs or running businesses these days which only inspires me even more! Not taking credit for anyone’s personal growth, but we’re growing together and that’s what I’m most proud of.

I think my ability to survive and thrive when under pressure sets me apart. Somehow I came from nowhere, with nothing, and I toured the nation making money with legendary artists that I grew up listening to. Somehow, I used to think $100 was a lot of money, and I managed to have almost 400k in my crypto account at the same time at one point, just by learning a few things and having the courage to jump in. Somehow I had a baby and didn’t use her as an excuse to give up on my dreams, but as a reason to try harder. So she has the life she deserves.

I want to be good, and I’ve gone through a lot of bad stuff. I think that’s what sets me apart as well. Is the fact I’ve faced my darkness and I spread light and love everywhere I can.

Outside of business and social media, my music is known for being authentic. It started as rap/hip hop and has become a musical buffet of genres from chopper rap like Tech N9ne, to punk rock love songs like Blink 182, to country rap-infused songs like Jelly Roll. I’ve managed to create these different styles of music while always being true to myself at the same time, which is my favorite part! I love the fact I can explore different styles of music without selling out or forcing it. It’s all organic.

What were you like growing up?
Very quiet, and observant. I didn’t speak unless spoken to. I’d usually be listening to music or drawing if I wasn’t playing video games. In school, I did pretty well and I enjoyed getting good grades similar to beating a game. I liked some sports but wasn’t super athletic so I stuck to entertainment and outdoor stuff.

Pricing:

• $1,000 song feature (1 verse or hook)
• $1,000 book a show
• $500/month consultations
• $100 shoutout

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/statikg
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statikgshit/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/statikg
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/statikgesus
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/statikg
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0J4ydkhzuxmYgAqxgNM21x?si=9dgjPoJdT-2ZL7I7DpdzWw

Image Credits
Louie Cohen @Epidemic Media