Damez Returns with "Contrary to Norm"
After a long hiatus, Damez has returned with a brand new track from his upcoming album —“Contary to Norm.” Storytelling, pain, and triumph carry this record into some uncharted territories.
Dubbed “Atlanta's Next Big Thing” by Out Magazine in their 2020 PRIDE cover story and described most recently as "ready to take the throne" by MTV NEWS in 2022, Atlanta-based rapper, singer, dancer, songwriter, and artist Damez returns with "Contrary to Norm," a track from his upcoming album titled ‘Hell Now, Heaven Later’ due later this year.
"Contrary to Norm”is the official follow-up to last year’s “Agenda,” where we saw Damez rap about social issues such as homophobia in hip-hop in what could be the most uncomfortable space for such conversation – the Black barbershop. "Contrary to Norm" serves as a tribute to his late brother as well as his parents as it takes a deeper dive into the artist’s life, struggles, and upbringing.
The autobiographically mellow track vividly details aspects of Damez’s life—touching on the tragic murder of his brother, who was a freshman in college in 2012 when he was killed from a gunshot wound to the face not far from his dorm at Jackson State University. It also chronicles his family’s move from Mississippi to Atlanta, Georgia where he grew up, and the life of his father—an Omega Psi-Phi fraternity member and Jackson State University graduate himself, whom Damez thanks for sticking by him despite his sexuality. Furthermore, the record highlights mental health issues as Damez raps about thoughts of suicide and “high-functioning depression.” In essence, it is a heart-wrenching celebration of one’s individuality and an anthem to overcoming adversity.
“Relocated, country life in Mississippi wasn’t pleasing / Left town, he had his reasons / Trauma steadily increasing / Slaving for some wealth and my mental health I been policing / It’s f*cked because my family got too comfortable with grieving,” Damez raps during the vulnerable verses.
“Contrary to Norm” is lifted from his upcoming 6th project, ‘Hell Now, Heaven Later’ — a follow-up to his 2021 ‘COVERBOY’ EP. The album takes a step away from the turned up, braggadocious, club heavy sound of his previous two releases and puts storytelling and vulnerability in the forefront.
As a songwriter, rapper, singer, dancer, choreographer, creative director, graphic designer and video editor, Damez wears plenty of hats. “It’s very important to me to tell my story the way I want and need to tell it,” Damez says on curating and overseeing his own content. “I know who I am, and who I want to become. One day, I will have a dope team around me. Until then, I’m going to keep doing everything I can because that’s how I was raised.” The self-managed artist has been putting projects out since 2014 as a college student. He produces and self-edits an ongoing docuseries titled “GO HARD,” which was picked up by Revry in 2022 for distribution on their TV and OTT platforms.
“Contrary to Norm” is available now on all streaming platforms. The music video is avaiable on YouTube, TIDAL and Apple Music.