AvenueN9ne

AvenueN9ne is Derrick W, a Philadelphia based artist and songwriter, whose alternative beats and heartbroken pop melodies turn love, sadness, regret, anger and pain into the sound of life. Influenced in equal measure by Nina Simone and Kurt Cobain, Sam Cooke and Kendrick, Derrick’s art is his way of becoming free of boxes. “Music is how I talk”.

Derrick started writing music aged 9 with a guitar bought to him by his grandmother. His age became part of his stage name, in which Avenue represents the road he imagined to lay ahead. Derrick’s mum had him very young and “It created a lot of issues. I have been treated really badly by people who were supposed to protect me, to care for me, supposed to be my friends. I didn’t think I would be able to achieve even half of my dreams, if any of them, with the hand I was dealt. It made me the man I am, it made me the artist I am, and I am proud I made it out on the other side.”

If you’re a fan of Alec Benjamin, Jon Bellion, Justin Beiber, Ariana Grande, Queen Herby, Banks and Russ, be sure to check out AvenueN9ne.