Name: Imaj
Reppin’: Dallas, Texas
Genre: R&B
Many artists talk about making sacrifices for their craft, but Dallas singer/producer Imaj is really about that life. Now, his dedication is starting to pay off, with his latest single “Something Real” getting big in the Lone Star State.
Born Ladarrion Darnell, the Texas native initially had plans on getting a degree. But the allure of showing his singing talents to the world led to him leaving school after only two semesters to pursue a long shot in the music industry.
“The only thing on my mind was music,” the 23-year-old artist recently told the Dallas Observer. The early road to the pursuit of his dream was productive, but marked with pot holes. “I pushed out 150 songs living couch to couch,” he added.
After pumping out song after song, Imaj’s indie grind didn’t go unnoticed. In 2016, his single “Something Real,” which he wrote and produced, caught the ear of producer Rudy “Coach” Flores, co-owner of Primetime Production, who was looking for Dallas’ next big star.
Shortly afterward, Darnell inked a management deal with Flores and started flirting with labels. Last month, the video for the single made its prime time debut on BET Jams. “It was an emotional moment for me. That’s something I’ve always dreamed about since I was 14 years old,” Darnell said. “I always told people I’m gonna be on MTV, BET one day. Just to see it, see all the feedback, man, it was a wonderful feeling.”
Imaj isn’t letting the euphoria lull him into resting on his laurels. Performances at the 2017 South by Southwest Music Festival have only bolstered his movement, and he has plans to put out his debut EP in the near future.
Check out some of his latest tracks below.
“Something Real”
“Fool”
“All Night Long”
