Music can incite positive movements. It’s happened time and time again throughout
history, but it takes the right talent to sustain change.
DLOW knows just how to move people. The 20-year-old Chicago rapper,
choreographer, writer and producer took a look at the environment around him and
decided to make a change through his music.
Known to friends and family as Daryon Simmons, DLOW – an acronym that stands for
Determined, Loyal, Optimistic, and Willing to Learn – chose to escape Chicago’s
violence and poverty-plagued West Side neighborhood by doing something positive with
his extraordinary gifts for music and dance. His original lyrics and choreography for
2013’s “DLOW Shuffle” proved a YouTube phenomenon, beginning a viral dance craze
so popular DLOW was invited to perform it alongside Steve Harvey on his nationally
syndicated daytime show.
Since the age of eight, DLOW has always used dance to cope with his every day
struggles and his music to express his deepest thoughts. "Where I’m from, we're known
for having the highest murder rate in the world,” he sighs. “I wanted to make something
for my city where people can come together, dance, and have fun rather than gang
bang and hurt each other. That’s my inspiration. This art form can help people
understand themselves and others maybe even more than conversations can.”
Expanding on a new genre of music that DLOW created called, “Bop Pop" - the union of
pop and hip-hop - 2015 saw DLOW explode on the music scene with his "Do It Like Me"
challenge. Captured on film in Chicago's Millennium Park, the clip would rack up 100
million cumulative views in less than six months, landing him on the Billboard Hot 100,
and inspiring millions of fans to create their own renditions.
Superstars like Kevin Hart, Lisa Raye, Adrien Broner, Floyd Mayweather and more
posted their own versions of DLOW's challenge online. Even Beyoncé threw a snippet
into her performance at Super Bowl 2016.
DLOW has also drawn national notice for his close connection with Chicago’s one and
only Chance the Rapper. The two have collaborated on a wide range of projects, from
partnering onstage at Lollapalooza 2014 to Donnie Trumpet and The Social
Experiment’s short film, “Sunday Candy." What’s more, DLOW headlined Chance’s
Teens in the Park (TIP) Fest – presented by the Chicago Park District to an audience of
over 3,000 teens - and joined the acclaimed MC for a memorable performance of
“Angels” on CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
In addition to his explosive work as an artist and choreographer, DLOW is also a
committed activist and inspirational speaker, sharing his powerful personal story
with students at over 500 elementary, junior high, and high schools thus far. DLOW
believes that dance is a positive alternative to violence and should be viewed as a way
of self-expression. DLOW and his remarkable story have been featured in a range of
national media, including BET’s 106 and Park, ABC’s Good Morning America, the Wall
Street Journal, and many more.
Given this success, it’s almost hard to believe where his story began.
“My grandparents raised me,” he says. “My mom had a drug problem, and I never met
my father. My grandmother taught me how to dance. She was my best friend, my mom basically my everything. She passed away when I was 12 and it made me want to
dance and do music even more.”
DLOW inked a deal with Atlantic Records and is now looking forward to introducing the
world to what he really stands for on his newest project entitled, 'I Am DLOW,’ due out
early this spring.
DLOW's project features his, "Do It Like Me" challenge which marries energetic
movements to an irresistible chorus, beckoning everybody to move. “At the time, I was
going through a lot,” he recalls. “When I looked at Chris Brown and Michael Jackson
dance, it pushed me to go harder.”This is my challenge to the world - I know you can do
it - show me!"
Elsewhere, “Groovy” pays homage to the old school flavor of his uncle Will with a
swaggering and shuffling swing. "Turn My Music Up," proves DLOW is more than a
choreographer with its upbeat chorus that dares his fans to blast his music for the world
to hear. And his final song on the project, "The Feeling," remarkably reimagines
Phineus and Ferb's 'Gitchie Gitchie Goo' song into a club-thumping classic.
DLOW brings that spirit directly to the masses on the 2016 Let’s Dance Tour alongside
Silentó, iLOVEMemphis (fka iHEART), We Are Toonz, and 99 Percent. “It all comes
together on stage,” he smiles. “That’s where you get the whole experience.”
“What I’m doing is not impossible,” he leaves off. “It’s just about being determined,
staying loyal, keeping optimistic, and always remaining willing to learn. We all can do
this.”