In a recent episode of the Conversation Piece podcast, host Patrick Armstrong sat down with hip-hop artist and Jackson State University senior Dierre Hartman, also known as King Dierre, to discuss his multifaceted career in music and journalism.
Born in Detroit but raised in Indianapolis, Hartman shared how his passion for music and storytelling developed simultaneously. He credits Kendrick Lamar’s album “To Pimp a Butterfly” as a catalyst for his interest in both rap and journalism:
“That was the first album that I really did a deep dive and I looked up different interviews. That was the first interview that I actually seen from like a journalist Rob Markman. He had a sit down talk with Kendrick and it was like four parts I think. That was like the first time I seen something of that nature and I really loved that video and that video kind of sparked my interest into journalism.”
He also discussed his experience attending Jackson State University, an HBCU, and how it shaped his perspective on music and community. He emphasized the importance of intentionality in his work, both as a musician and with his brand “God’s Child.”
Hartman also shared about his experience participating in NPR’s Next Generation Radio program, which helped him develop his journalistic skills. He recounted a valuable lesson from his mentor:
“Shout out to T’kella. She taught me how to really be assertive and just kind of be straightforward. Cause I, I, I’m very like, walk on eggshells with people, especially if I don’t know people. She was just like, no, tell them at this time you’re going to meet up with them and you’re going to do this. Like, it’s not mean, it’s not rude, but it’s just how you talk because you have to kind of be stern about, alright, you want this to be in a timely manner and if you can’t do it, you can’t do it.”
Looking ahead, King Dierre announced his upcoming project “Dirty Dirty,” describing it as his “ode to the South” and a reflection of his time in Jackson, Mississippi. He aims to release the project in November, saying:
“I’m a fourth quarter artist. I love the fourth quarter and maybe the first quarter. I’m not a summer. I can do [the] fall, but I like that fourth quarter. I like when it’s snowing and it’s cold because you got to sit in your house and you got to sit in your room in your car and listen to the music.”
The conversation offered a deep dive into King Dierre’s journey as an artist, student, and cultural commentator, highlighting the intersections between music, journalism, and community.
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