Meet Daniel Crawford | Musician/Artist/Composer/Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniel Crawford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success would definitely have to be my family, my professional small circle of peers who I respect tremendously and have learned so much from.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a producer, composer and musician from Los Angeles, CA. Most recently, I have been busy composing music for film and television with composition credits on LA’s Finest, Netflix’s The Afterparty (2018), short film ‘Til Death (2019) Comedy Central series, South Side and the Oscar-winning animated short film, Hair Love. My compositions can also be heard in the audio version of Hair Love, narrated by Blue Ivy Carter.

Throughout my childhood, music was a central component of my life as my dad Christopher Crawford was/is a touring artist/musician and my mother Betty Crawford was a singer/educator. Along with my older brothers Damon, Demont, dad and my friends from high school, we formed the band Wylde Bunch when I was 13 under the management of my mom. After signing with Sony Music, we released our debut album Wylde Tymes At Washington High in 2004. The success of the project resulted in song placements in NBA Live 2005, Madden 2005, Gran Turismo 4, NFL Street and Playboy Mansion, as well as affording us the opportunity to tour with such luminaries as The Black-Eyed Peas, Slightly Stupid, The X-Ecutioners, The Roots, OAR, Talib Kweli and N.E.R.D. At 16, I was tapped to be the musical director for Coolio and toured extensively around the world.

While continuing to perform with Wylde Bunch, I decided to step out on my own as a solo recording artist by releasing the Matrix themed trilogy – Red Pill (2012), The Awakening (2014) and Revolution (2018). Each project, I tried to weave soul, jazz, funk, afrobeat and hip-hop to create my own sound. My sound caught the attention of many celebrated artists resulting in production work with Vikter Duplaix, Phonte, Eric Roberson, Omari Hardwick, Osunlade, Amp Fiddler, Raheem Devaughn and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

In addition to creating my own projects, I continued to tour or play with artists such as with Chris “Daddy” Dave and the Drumhedz, Raphael Saadiq, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Kenna, Angie Stone, Bilal, Rahsaan Patterson, Musiq, Dwele, Ledisi, Jazmine Sullivan, Marsha Ambrosius and more. I also served as musical director for Cee-Lo Green, Warren G, Jhene Aiko, Omarion and the DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith reunion shows.

I’m most proud of being a husband to Lyndsey Kuykendall Crawford and father to Malcolm Anthony Terrell Crawford in my personal life. Professionally, I’m most proud of the relationships and extended family I’ve gained in this business. I have some genuine, great family-like relationships with a lot of people I grew up idolizing and consider myself lucky to have crossed paths with them.

And I think what sets me apart from others is very simple, I’m me and no one can beat me at being me. The greatest lesson I’ve learned along the way is, you’re only as great as your support system. Need to have great, honest, genuine people that want nothing but the best for you and will hold you accountable when you’re wrong.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hmmmm, would definitely have to hit up some taco trucks as we all know, LA has the best, just a fact…lol I’d take them to a Clipper game, a great night of food and music at somewhere like The Mint, Agave Azul or Harold & Belle’s where I play the first 3 fridays of the month we well as my favorite soul food spot in LA called Fixins Soul Kithcen. We would also have to hit up a beach or two or 3…lol I love Malibu beaches and the food is great there as well. And then I’d take them to a whiskey bar like 7 Grand who also has great music. Some great whiskey, music and cigars are always a recipe for a great night!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout feature to my mom Betty Crawford who I lost last year. Without her and the sacrifices she along with my dad made, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today or even close…

Website: https://danielcrawford.bandcamp.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dshon82

Twitter: twitter.com/DanielDCrawford

Image Credits
Dexter D. Cohen Leelu Morris