Student Profile: Damar Jackson
Chinedu Akunne
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Freestyle
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According to a biography by Jaleesa McDowell, Damar is from DeRidder. He discovered his talent early and was inspired by his singing mother. He plays the piano, and he sings. He's been using his talent quite wisely to etch himself into ULM's growing legacy. With a crazy drive, he works tirelessly on his music, a trait made evident by his growing popularity in Louisiana and in the U.S. as a whole. Mr. Jackson has a lot of songs, and a mixtape titled The Reality. He graduates this semester and can't wait to take on 2010.
Why do you do what you do?
I have a passion for music which gives me ambition to make good music.
How many songs have you recorded?
I've recorded at least 50 songs.
How many times have you performed? Where?
I've performed over all over Louisiana-New Orleans, Lake Charles, Thibodaux, Shreveport, Monroe, Grambling, Dallas and more.
Who has been the most high profile person you've worked with?
I had the opportunity to do some writing for Keyshia Cole, but I didn't get to meet her yet.
Which other musician at ULM would you like to work with?
I would like to work with Dr. Brumfield. I heard he can sing, so I want to put him on song I wrote about ULM. Might be interesting.
Have you ever forgotten the lyrics to your own songs?
No, I haven't forgotten any lyrics, but I have been performing and let the crowd sing some lyrics because I was out of breath.
Ever have stage fright?
I never had stage fright. I love to perform, so it feels good to get up in front of people and have fun doing what I love to do.
Why should I listen to your music?
You should listen to my music because I have something for everybody to listen to. I have what I call "feel good music" that everyone can relate to.
Which celebrity do you look up to?
His name is Rodney Jerkins, and he goes by Dark Child. I look up to him because he produces music for every genre of music. He has worked with so many artists from Michael Jackson to the Pussy Cat Dolls. So I really look up to him and his work.
T-pain, what do you think about him?
T-pain isn't the best artist vocally, but he is creative, and he's making money with something that he created, so I like his work.
Who's the best rapper alive?
The best rapper alive would have to be Lil Wayne. I say this because he works so hard. Even though his lyrical content isn't the best, he deserves the title (the best rapper alive). When Lil Wayne is done with a show, he gets on the tour bus and starts recording. He has a lot of power with his image, and now he has a sub label called young money, which is all a reflection of him, and this shows how talented he really is.
What do you think about D.O.A. and Jay-z in general?
D.O.A was a hot song, but auto tune will never die. Only certain people can use it to its full potential, but people will always use auto tune because it's a pitch corrector. I think Jay-z is very business minded, but his rap career needs to come to an end. He has been disrespecting Jesus in a lot of his lyrics, and that's one line you can't cross. Even if he is not a believer, you still should respect others beliefs. Jay-z takes a lot of lyrics from Biggie Smalls, 2 pac and Fat Joe, but he is still a creative artist. But I don't listen to him much at all.
What's the most outplayed song?
Beyonce-"Put a Ring on It."
How many siblings?
One sister but a huge church family.
What's your favorite dish?
Tour of Italy-Olive Garden.
What do you like about Schultze? SUB? Why?
Schultze-Omelets and ice cream on Sundays because they never have anything else to eat throughout the week. SUB-I like Subway because the prices are legit.
Who do you think is the "baddest chick" on campus?
Mandi Baxter-she's an Alpha Omicron Pi. I hope she's reading this.
What's your worst habit?
Being late for class because I'm making a track.
You have one day, everything paid for. What would you do?
I would go to Vegas. In Vegas I would play everything by ear and just have a good time because everything that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Grey goose or Budlight? Why?
Budlight. I chose it because every bar is guaranteed to sell Budlight. I like to drink a cold beer every now and then.
What's the craziest thing you've done since you came to ULM?
Party with the Pikes.
Have you ever been written up by an RA? How many times? Do you care?
I've been written up over ten times, but a lot of it is because I have a new person living under me and their not used to my music, but they need to adjust. And, no, I don't care because it's not during quiet hours.
Have you ever been booed? When? Why?
Never. But I have had a performance and the crowd wasn't into the performance as [they would be] usually.
Has anyone thrown their panties on stage yet?
No, but I have had girls try and snatch me off stage, pull my dreads and kiss on me while I was performing. Yeah, it was crazy.
The lady that snatched you off stage, is that where you got your nickname from? If not, how did you get it?
The lady that snatched me off stage didn't create the name Mr. Pull my Dreads. The name came from two different situations. First, at parties, [while] stepping with my fraternity, girls would grab my dreads to get my attention. The second situation I will just keep private.
Your dreads…how many years?
I've been growing my dreads three years.
Tattoos…how many?
Three huge tattoos.
Who inspires your dress? Where do you shop?
I'm inspired by a lil bit of Bobby V, but I think I have my own style. I shop at Express, Dillard's and Saks Fifth (only twice). [Laughing]
Why the laugh?
I laughed because people that know about Saks Fifth know about the prices. Saks Fifth is an exclusive retail store that carries all the designers' materials. A lot of celebrities shop there, so you will see people pulling out black cards (American Express). So the store is very expensive, and I've only shopped there twice.
Do you like routine? Class times, do you follow them?
I don't like routine; I like change and being spontaneous. I'm late to class almost every day, but I do pay attention when I'm there.
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