Bringing Authenticity To Urban Music Feat. HYLYND

In this episode Durell is joined by Pop/ R&B singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist HYLYND. The episode begins with HYLYND and Durell talking about how they initially met and got connected with each other. HYLYND shares with Durell how much he appreciates his genuinely positive attitude and the way he works within the indie artist community. HYLYND shares that he was born in North Carolina but has lived in several different places across the USA in Florida, California, Georgia, and currently resides in Texas. HYLYND shares that he decided to plant into Texas because he felt like it was the best place for him to grow and establish a better quality of life and expand his music brand over a long period of time. HYLYND and Durell talk about him being able to be around music 24-7 working in the church as well as being a secular indie creative who has made a conscious effort to not box himself in as an inspirational artist. He shares that he found that the world will define what the church stays silent on and that’s something he really is appreciative of. Durell and HYLYND talk about the importance for indie creatives to pick the right partner while they go along the journey of building a successful music career.


Durell asks HYLYND about his earliest memories of music. HYLYND shares that his parents told him that he started playing drums at the age of 2. He shares that he remembers playing drums at different arts festivals. He shares that he started singing at the age of 10 which ultimately led to learning the guitar, recording and production by the time he was in high school and college. Durell and HYLYND talk about how great music is made by collaborating with others and it being a team sport. Durell shares that as you elevate with anything you do in life, change is inevitable for the better. HYLYND shares that what he’s noticed as he’s moved along on his journey is that with great records it’s the last 10% of the record that costs the most because it’s truly what takes a production from good to great.

Durell and HYLYND talk about his experience working with Jan Smith who is a vocal coach to artists such as Justin Beiber, and Usher. Jan called HYLYND a vocal athlete. HYLYND shares that Jan telling him that made him want to work even harder at his craft. He shares that she always gives great advice to keep him encouraged. Durell and HYLYND talk about his range of musical influences from Pop, R&B, to Rock with artists such as Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and U2. He shares that these artists can rip apart your soul with emotion and groove which is something that he loves so much. Durell shares that he respects HYLYND’s authenticity that he brings to Urban music.

Durell and HYLYND end the episode talking about the cover he did of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing”. He shares that the heartbeat of the song is the 808’s and he wanted to keep the vibe of that in the song. HYLYND says one of the unique things about the song is that the song really doesn’t have a chorus. Durell asks HYLYND about his live experiences and his process of how he puts his shows together. He shares that he loves creating arrangements that don’t lose the origin of the song.

Durell asks HYLYND about how he’s been able to keep his monthly listenership high with over 30K. He shares that the Spotify algorithm is definitely interesting. He shares that his best performing song is a song called “Hands” which was on his debut EP which has now caught it’s own legs and has been running smoothly now on its own. Durell asks HYLYND how he feels about social media. He shares that he hasn’t liked social media in the past because he grew up in a time where there was a lot of mystery with artistry which really doesn’t exist. He also feels that artists don’t like social media because they feel they have to be inauthentic. He said he’s come up with a process of creating content around who he is and put a bullseye around that to make it work.

For more info on HYLYND, please visit his website below:

https://www.hylynd.com/