Today we’d like to introduce you to Deonte Scott.
Deonte, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I started writing poetry and performing spoken word in college after seeing my favorite artist Common perform spoken word on Def Poetry Jam. For me back then it was just a hobby, and outlet for me to get my feelings out of my head. I would write all the time and once I got really comfortable with the writing I decided to start performing at open mic on campus. I never took it serious though, it was just something to do pass the time. It wasn’t until December of 2011 a friend of mine was having an art event and they asked me to perform there. I had never memorized any of my poems so that was a lot of pressure on me for that.
I do the event and it lit a fire under me, I started being asked to perform at different events and churches and before you know it I’m making money off of something that I considered to be a hobby. I continued to write and perform and before you know it was selected to perform on a Spoken Word Variety show on TVONE. The show was Lexus Verses and Flow, I went from performing in coffee houses with 5 people in attendance to over 2 million people seeing me perform on that show. Now I travel the country performing and expanding my art to new heights. I also have created several events in the Houston Area where I provide a platform for up and coming artists. My signature yearly event is called “The Exchange” where I put on a show for the community as well as take proceeds from the show to give to a youth poet in the area.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My art is more inspirational than anything. I tend to take my personal experiences good or bad and I speak about them to encourage someone who may have experienced the same thing or someone who may be experiencing the same thing. I want people to take away the transparency in my art and in my words. My works exposes my weaknesses and well as highlights my strength, that’s the beauty in it all for me.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
I define success by how many people’s lives are changed by your words. To have someone come up to you at the end of a show and say “hey man, I really felt that poem about unemployment. I’m going through that right now” that’s better than any check I have ever received for performing.
I think in order to be successful as an artist you are to remain humble at all times, because there will be some highs and some lows so you never want to get too high and never get too low. Capitalize on every opportunity possible and help as many people as you can along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deontescott.com
- Email: info@deontescott.com
- Instagram: @deontescott
- Facebook: @poetdscott
- Twitter: @deontescott
Image Credit:
Photos By Cassidy Edwards & London Shara
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