“On tha verge of gettin, takin my family wit me/Eyes on the prizes wit hands to the sky, I’m reppin’ my cities ……/ Yeah im here to stay/Im here to take it, yeah im here to take it/Aint no fakin, history in tha makin…,” he pledges. An urban cowboy at heart who describes himself as a “wildlife enthusiast,” DAO was raised on a farm with a love for the outdoor life, hunting and fishing. Where family stories are part of your heritage, you help family support itself, and there is a certain sense of credibility that comes with being a part of the land you work. Speaking with a sense of pride that’s shaped in a personality reminiscent of most farmers, he admits his family “didn’t have much” but his mother and worked hard every day as farmers to provide for him and his brother any way they could. DAO recognized his gift as a rapper when he was a kid hanging with neighborhood friends, free-styling in the streets. As his passion for songwriting and music grew, he began performing at local clubs and open mic sessions, where he became a favorite in the community. He praises his brother as the person who recognized that he had something special, and motivated him to push forward on his path to pursue his vision to become a rapper. In 1998 he was dealt an unexpected blow. He found himself dealing with an emotional challenge when his brother (10 years his senior) was sentenced to jail and incarcerated for 5 years, leaving him feeling empty and abandoned. Little did he know that this separation would be a setback that would later encourage his come-back. Like most, DAO found himself coping with challenges full of frustrating disappointments and the trappings of his bleak environment, that were a part of everyday life. Rattled with negative temptations and the hustle of the streets, hard times followed. With an unwavering determination not to get swallowed up in a life of failure, and having faith in his ability to serve a better purpose in life, he knew he had to focus on a more positive way of living to have any kind of future for him and his family – the core of his life. During his time of turmoil, he was reminded of his brother’s encouragement to pursue his dream in music. With a fierce commitment to achieve his ambition and defy his own past judgments, he turned his attention to music and began penning his emotions on paper, laying down verses and beats while strengthening his songwriting skills, which resulted in “I’m Here.” “I’m Here” was written by DAO who worked alongside super-producer Christopher Starr, Founder of CSP Music Group. Starr, who has also worked with the award winning artists likes of Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera and Chris Brown, carves out his day in his Atlanta-based recording studio sculpting the careers of aspiring artists and songwriters like DAO to help them fulfill their dreams of becoming a recording artist. After joining with Starr and CSP studio engineer Bishop, the team stepped into the studio and began the process of unfolding DAO’s story, laying down tracks that molded his vision into song. Defining the songwriting and recording process during the making of his single, DAO explains, “I love the vibe, the atmosphere, the feeling of being free and nothing else matters when I’m in the booth.” I’m free to be me and let it all out.” It’s like therapy to me,” he adds, with a sense of accomplishment. Today DAO spends time etching out his story as he plans for the release of his first EP – a memoir of his personal life and lessons, resonated from his inner-most thoughts and feelings. The [yet untitled] collection of songs is a blended mix of R&B music that also transforms to rap then harmonizing sounds combined with mid-to up-tempo tunes. “I like to be creative in thought when I make music. It’s important that my messages connect with people from all walks of life who can enjoy my music and relate to the same experiences.” DAO names rapper T.I. as one of his music inspirations for his personal knowledge and lyrical contents in his music and Florida rapper Ace Hood whom he admires for talking about life’s struggles and commitment to family. He adds award winning rapper Nicki Minaj to his list of admirers for her vocal prowess and owns up to his fascination for country music, claiming singers Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett and Florida Georgia Line as some of his favorites. Similar to his idols, he hopes to inspire others who can relate to his struggles and triumphs, using the delivery of his words in his music, by conveying messages from his soul. Don’t be surprised if you hit a bump in the road while driving through the small town of Delight. It’s an imprint in the farmland of a rising star, carved “D.A.O.” – letting you know he’s there! “I’m Here” and its accompanying video is scheduled to be released in Summer, 2016 on Mason J Records, a subsidiary of CSP Music Group