DS10t

Wow...where do I even begin.

In April 2017, Dustin Jones and I began recording the follow up to the CoB.B. RansoM.M. catalogue, and debut as DS10t, entitled Trauma. 2 and a half years later, and here we are with the final product in hand.

Trauma is a loose-concept album, designed for the rapper’s rapper, artists artist, and intent listener. The gist?

We all experience and/or witness trauma in our lives, different forms and to varying degrees. It hurts us, breaks us, stimulates ego, scars us, changes us. However, it also builds us, strengthens us, makes us who we are, and can allow us to overcome immense obstacles that otherwise under may have buckled.

It’s unbelievable how time flies. Seems like yesterday I was a 19 year old man grinding out shows at Al’s Bar with the team, back when that was the only venue (at that time) that would put on local hip-hop. Now, we’ve played festivals, played for crowds of hundreds, are in venues all across town, with some even on the potential verge of imminent success and high, high regard.

This tape is merely my contribution to the scene of a pool of talented individuals who work relentlessly to keep our city flowing with compelling art that can stand toe to toe with anywhere. It is an inspiration to be a part of. If the journey of this project had a message for my peers, it would be these.

Don’t be afraid to dream big, create big. Don’t ever let someone control your vision. Believe in yourself, who you are, and what you stand for. Speak your mind. Follow your heart. Don’t ever stop. And tell your story.

This project followed me through so much. Tense relationships, bleak circumstance, the loss of first love and my childhood friend, friends losing friends to death and the system, overdose, rehab, going on the run, plans to drive into the ocean, hotel hopping, a state year in jail...At times I definitely wasn’t sure if I could make it, or that I even wanted to, a feeling I know my generation is all too familiar with. Without all the friends and beautiful people that continue to enter my life year after year, I’m really not sure I would have, and that love is something I will always be indebted to in pursuit of reciprocation.

This project would have never had a shot at fruition without one man in particular. My best friend, brother, mentor, collaborator, and artist/emcee himself, Dustin Jones (aka Trent Jone$ on the album). Dustin has invested in me in for years in ways that are unmatched. This is our 3rd project together, and with with this one especially, it is hard to overstate his workload, creative value and input, and brilliant ex*****on. Trauma is as much his project as it is DS10t’s, plain and simple. He absolutely killed this sonically, so please, miss me with anything otherwise (fr tho). Man, I love you, and I wouldn’t take back the work we’ve done for anything. Thank you for your kindness, patience, and faith in me as a person, friend, and artist. It’s been my pleasure and honor to serve as one of your smoking guns, and I appreciate you delivering even through your own personal traumas these past few years.

Thank you to Fred Derf Croney, Anonimuss Rose, Deante Gooch, James Gooch, Patrick Maloney, and Cory D. McArter, all great friends of mine and amazing artists, coming through as the true icing on the cake with some of the most heartfelt moments on the project, and probably of the year in this city fr.

A shoutout to Corey Fisher for an act of kindness way back that meant the world.

A dedication of the album to Aaron Brue, aka BAKA (The Fool), R.I.P. my brother ❤️💐

And finally, without further ado, I present to you a good deal to chew on, 24 new songs in addition to the 6 released, to make 30, as the first installment of the DS10t discography, Trauma.

I will say one last thing. Something my father told me at a cynical point in my life. He said “Life is hard, and it will try, but no matter what, don’t let the world make you bitter. Be the light. There is still beauty to cherish.”

Life is worth living y’all. Go live, and get that life.

PSA *** Unfortunately, track 24, titled Mistakes, has been pulled from the project by SoundCloud, not because of the beat, but because of a clearance issue with a sample on the beat. It is a great one, beautiful, and one of my favs, SO, if you would so please, comment a 24 in the comments and I will send it to you through Facebook messenger. I will also be posting it on my website tomorrow for anyone who miss out on that.

Thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy! 🙏✊️ # Trauma 💐

- DS10t

Trauma A loose concept album designed for the rapper's rapper, artist's artist, and intent listener, following Lexington, KY emcee DS10t on his encounters with and analysis of the struggles and stresses of l