Disability Culture, Representation and Access in the Music Industry (RAMPD)
Featured Speaker:
Question, Founding Member of RAMPD
Question is a blind Artist & Producer from Atlanta. Question is self-taught on several instruments, began freestyling at the age of 5 and making beats at age 12. He has won over 20 beat battles, winning trips to Grammy Week & SXSW and competed in the 2019 Battle of the Beatmakers in Toronto. Question recently performed in Harlem with a live band and was filmed for a documentary he is being included in on blind professionals. He is recording and releasing several solo projects on streaming platforms and leads a collective of other blind Artists & Producers from the US, Canada & UK named Blind n Famous who collab and released a new project in December 2021. Question was featured in article by the Recording Academy on Grammy.com in 2021 and is a founding member of the musical professionals coalition RAMP’D, Recording Artists & Musicians with Disabilities.
Denarious Holmes, Songwriter at MIME Records
This incredibly gifted twenty-nine year old songwriter exudes wisdom and insight from the first moments of engagement. Fate and destiny seem to be at the heart of Denarious Holmes’ journey from his premature birth, to his triumphant battle with childhood Cerebral Palsy. It’s remarkable then, that his lyrical mastery of modern issues, and his fresh approach to songwriting are so reminiscent of some of the industry’s greatest writers ever. Denarious’s destiny would lead to legendary songwriter David Porter, as an early mentor and coach, and songs that can stand the test of time.
Denarious is also a Memphis native, and began composing beats and rhythms at age 13 during the hip-hop era, and backing up his older brother’s local performances. Nothing came easy, but his Spiritual foundation was built, and layered with a naturally clever way of ‘phrasing’. “A song is basically an idea that expresses a common emotion”, he says.
His musical influences include Bruno Mars, Ed Sherin, and Adele, but his lyrical strength is in understanding a modern audience, and the emotions of a new generation. Denarious studied at The Consortium MMT, engaging on three different occasions before success, and before his talents and determination could no longer be denied. The new song “Ching, Ching-A-Ling”, penned by Denarious Holmes, isn’t about a gold-digger he says, “It’s a song about Stability, which is what most people want”. His lyric, “I can’t be standing in line, and your card gets declined; now I’m embarrassed, ‘cause the people behind are looking funny at me; Baby I just can’t go out like that”… Real soul, real situations, and a song on the MIME label that’s destined to be Denarious’ first hit as a songwriter.
Like so many other aspects of Made in Memphis Entertainment, Denarious Holmes is a young spiritual force, and a super talent. True soul and the human experience shine in his eyes, and his lyrics touch the heart. Why him? Why now? As Denarious points out, “I’m proud that I didn’t have to leave my hometown to experience this level of success and opportunity… Memphis has the heart and soul, and the juice”.