Darnel Alexander, an incredibly talented R&B artist from Seattle, WA, has captivated audiences with his soulful voice and meaningful songwriting for over three decades. His journey is a testament to his dedication and passion for music. With a career that has reached far beyond the borders of the U.S., Darnel’s impact as a performer and songwriter has resonated on an international level.
In a recent conversation, Darnel reflected on his impressive musical journey, starting with the group 3rd Level. It was here that he first began to cultivate his talent, performing at local talent shows and nightclubs, which provided a foundation for his later success. This period of his career also saw him collaborating with other notable artists, including contributing to Sir Mix-A-Lot’s compilation album, “Seattle… The Dark Side”. It was during these formative years that Darnel began to build the connections and skills that would shape his future in R&B.
From 3rd Level, Darnel transitioned to 2nd Nature, a group that included David Booker, Leland Allen, and Jason Turner. Their collective talents earned them a Billboard Hot 100 single in 1995, a milestone that many artists dream of. Their music video was featured on BET’s “Midnight Love”, an achievement that further solidified their place in the R&B world. One of the pinnacles of Darnel’s career during this time was performing at the legendary Apollo Theater, a venue known for hosting some of the biggest names in music history.
Darnel’s journey includes sharing the stage with some of the greatest artists of our time. He has had the privilege of performing alongside legends like Queen Latifah, James Brown, Mint Condition, and the iconic Patti LaBelle. These experiences not only showcase his talent but also reflect the respect and admiration he has garnered within the music industry.
During our conversation, Darnel also touched on his incredible engagement with fans through social media. In today’s digital age, where platforms like Instagram and TikTok play a crucial role in music promotion, Darnel has mastered the art of connecting with his audience. His viral videos and high engagement rate have contributed to his continued relevance in the ever-evolving music industry. Darnel’s ability to maintain a strong online presence while staying true to his soulful roots is a remarkable feat for any artist, especially one with a career spanning over 30 years.
As Darnel continues to evolve as an artist, his legacy in the R&B world is undeniable. From his early days with 3rd Level and 2nd Nature, to sharing the stage with some of music’s greatest legends, his contribution to the industry is not only significant but enduring. Darnel Alexander remains a powerful force in R&B, with a voice that continues to touch hearts and a career that inspires both up-and-coming and seasoned artists alike.
The following conversation sheds light on the soul behind the music and the legacy Darnel continues to build.
Your journey in music started with 3rd Level and continued with 2nd Nature. Can you share some key lessons you’ve learned from your early that have shaped your artistry today?
There’s always been something inside, spiritually, that has helped guide me through this whole process. When I look at it in hindsight, working with 3rd Level was really cool because that gave me the opportunity to become a writer and to learn how to own my own talent. It was an opportunity for me to basically create the voice that would become what is today. So, 3rd Level was a good stepping stone. We got a couple of songs on Sir Mix-a-Lot’s compilation, Seattle Dark Side and that was nominated for a Grammy. Then, I decided to switch camps and moved to Second Nature. I met this guy who was associated with someone I was doing radio jingles for, and he said, I’m making a super group and you are gonna be in this group. I was like, OK, so he put four of us together—Leland Allen, Jason Turner, David Booker, and myself. We just started going into the studio, started rehearsing, practicing, and preparing ourselves for the opportunity to get some type of label deal or something. We met two guys who played on two different NFL teams, John Greg and Eugene Robinson. They got together and created a label to help put us out in the mix, so to speak. That lasted a couple of years. We did shows at the Apollo, the BET sound stage, we did some cool shows. The experience is something that I’ll never forget.
You’ve enjoyed a successful career spanning over 30 years. What do you believe has been the most significant factor in maintaining your relevance in the ever-changing music industry?
It’s always changing. I always think about having gone viral with doing these a cappella songs in a garage and I still can’t believe it. I think the thing that I’ve always tried to stay true to was who I am as a person spiritually, and my feelings and taste when it comes to music. If I can’t feel it authentically, it’s just not something that I want to sing. I get a lot of requests. People are like, sing this, sing that and I’m like, I can sing the phone book as they say, but, when I want to give people that feeling like what I used to feel when I would listen to Luther Vandross, or when I listen to Peabo Bryson, LTD and all those cats, I want to sing a song that touches me somewhere inside. A place where I can bring those emotions and feelings up from when I was a kid and give that to people, give people the chills. I think we’re missing that today and, and so I’ve always wanted to maintain that throughout the course of my career.
Your performances have captivated audiences internationally. How do you connect with listeners on an emotional level through your songwriting and stage presence?
I think the videos are one way to do it, but also through the songwriting and when people finally figure out that I actually have my own material. I tell stories of my life through my songs. I think a lot of people forget that when people write songs, it does come from somewhere, especially if they’re writing them themselves. I plan to continue to express myself through song writing and work with music that inspires me. I want to connect more with this new fan base through doing some lives on Tiktok.
With a high engagement rate on social media, how do you think platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok have influenced your career? What strategies do you use to connect with your fans?
Yeah, absolutely. Tik Tok was the first place I went viral, and I was singing “So Amazing” in the garage. I didn’t even feel like singing that day. I was just like, whatever, I’m gonna sing this song, post it, then I’m going to sleep. So, someone told me to remember who the “F” I am and get down there and do you. So, that’s what I did. Within a month, I think it hit like 3 million views. I was like, what is going on here? Then it trickled over into Instagram. And when it did that, I started saying to myself, ok, now we need to elevate the garage a cappella into actual performances with music. That’s when I started doing songs with music. I believe myself to be as great as all the singers that are already released into the world with record label deals and whatnot, but I just haven’t gotten my shot yet. I knew when they heard the stuff with music, it was gonna be controversial. So, when I did “Promise Me”, everybody was like, is this AI, is he really singing? And that’s when Deon Cole posted it on his page, then all hell broke loose. People began sharing all over the place. I do my best to try to address the people who appreciate me, and who support me.
Balancing all the accolades along with your personal life can be challenging. How do you manage to maintain your personal relationships while navigating the demands of a successful music career?
You know, it’s funny because when you think about people like yourself who have achieved a certain level of success that is greater than what most people will even attempt to try to achieve, I look back at the history of my own life and I think to myself, when I was growing up, I never thought I would be in a group singing R&B, I never thought I’d be on TV. I never thought I would “win” so to speak. In my forties, I did a bodybuilding competition which requires a certain level of discipline. I attribute everything to my discipline. Making sure I take care of myself. You can’t take care of other people if you don’t take care of yourself, mentally, physically, emotionally, and I’m always trying to remember to find ways to love myself. The more that I’ve loved myself, the stronger my determination and motivation became to try and achieve some of these things some might say are not even possible at my age. I don’t agree with any of that. I believe anything is possible. If you believe in God, you believe in yourself and you just go after what is for you.
You’ve shared the stage with incredible artists like Queen Latifah and Patti LaBelle. What have been some of your favorite moments or takeaways from those experiences?
With Patti LaBelle, I think back to when I was a kid and my mom used to play, “If Only You Knew” …it’s like that song is in my head and then we go and do a show with her. Then on top of that, she brought us in her dressing room and we’re just hanging out with her, it was such a surreal experience. I think about just the shift from working my 9 to 5 and then suddenly, we go on the road every week to go somewhere and do a show, signing autographs and all. That whole experience is very surreal. That was back in the days when people wanted you to sign their CD. I try at this point in my life as I’m older, to be more conscious and to be present in every moment with me having a little girl. I had my first child last year. I’m also working a full-time job. I’m going to the gym, and back to what you were saying, I try to keep it all in perspective and ensure that I’m giving the proper attention to everything that’s important to me.
As an R&B artist, how do you see your music evolving in the coming years, and what themes or messages do you seek to explore in your upcoming work?
I want to bring back something, and I know it’s gonna happen. I’m gonna have to be patient and methodical, but I want to get with a dream team to produce the kind of music like Teddy Pendergrass, Bryson and Vandross. I want to convey that it’s not all about hitting and quitting, it’s not about objectifying a woman, but more like treating a woman like the queen who’s gonna be a partner. I really want to send that message. We need to love each other more. I know I got a collaboration possible with Melba Moore, which would be insane.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists trying to make their mark in the R&B scene, especially in terms of building a loyal fanbase on social media?
I would tell them, number one, stay consistent, don’t give up on yourself because you’re gonna have ups and downs. These days you do need to have all your ducks in a row and be aware of everything that’s going on. So, I tell them be smart, educate yourself on the business part of it. Last, but not least, just believe in yourself.
What is something you can share with us that people might not know about you?
I’ve done bodybuilding so, that’s one. I also figured out how to sing by being able to mimic different voices. You know, how like Jamie Foxx can do that or Ariana Grande when they go on Saturday Night Live and just start doing other people’s voices? I do that too. That’s how I started singing. So, you’re gonna hear all these little different flavors in my singing. It’s like, you know, I don’t want a boring hot dog or hamburger, I want something with some flavor like Indian food or some African food you know? Make it interesting and memorable.
Describe a typical day in the life of Darnel Alexander.
Well, I wake up in the morning and I always feel grateful. My day doesn’t start without coffee. I usually workout and in between there, I’m trying to respond to my fans and people that are inquiring about my music. I try to respond to everything I can and then in between that, get my meals in and do things according to what’s happening. So, yeah, it’s consistent but it’s always different.
Follow Darnel on his socials:
Photo credits: Cory Wilaby
Add Comment