Boston’s hip-hop scene is gaining momentum, and one of the fresh voices leading the charge is DayDaDon. The young rapper sat down for Episode 82 of Show and Tell Boston to discuss his journey, his latest project When I Grow Up, and the challenges of balancing music with school.
Early Inspirations & Musical Journey
DayDaDon’s passion for hip-hop was sparked at a young age, thanks to his uncle introducing him to albums like Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and classics from Nas and Wu-Tang Clan. That early exposure shaped his lyrical approach and storytelling ability.
He began writing poetry at 14, naturally gravitating toward rap. His first studio experience came through his high school music teacher Oompa, who set up a recording session, igniting his drive to pursue music seriously.
‘When I Grow Up’ & Staying Authentic
Recently, DayDaDon dropped his project When I Grow Up, recorded on a simple laptop setup with his mentor. The project reflects his raw experiences and personal growth. A funny behind-the-scenes moment? Track #6 was meant to be titled “Child Mistakes” but was mistakenly uploaded as “Chick Mistakes.” Despite the typo, the project showcases his evolving artistry.
His favorite track, “02119,” highlights his pride in his Boston roots, emphasizing that he refuses to be ashamed of where he’s from.
Balancing Music, School & Family Support
DayDaDon is juggling high school, a budding rap career, and his next big step—college, where he plans to study marketing and business to support his music career. While time management remains a struggle (he admits to doing homework during meetings), he has strong support from his family, particularly his mother, who encouraged him to pursue higher education.
The Boston Hip-Hop Scene & Future Plans
Boston’s hip-hop culture is on the rise, and DayDaDon is determined to put the city on the map. He recognizes the lack of recognition for Boston’s Black community in thmusic industry but believes that’s about to change. He shouted out several local artists he wants to work with, including Latrell James, Boy Rock, DVO, Nay, Josel, CeCe, Jana G, and more.
With a job lined up at Beat the Odds (BTO) Studios focusing on artist development, he’s gearing up for his next big move. While he only has a handful of songs released, he’s focused on building consistency and is planning another project for 2025, possibly dropping singles along the way.
For DayDaDon, music isn’t just a passion—it’s a path to financial stability, success, and generational wealth.
