Singer Darnell Levine may just be Kentucky’s best kept secret.
The Middle Tennessee University graduate made the decision to take the road less traveled after obtaining his music business degree. Instead of going into the actual business of music, he decided to try his hand at recording an album.
Years later the emerging artist is making music that takes listeners on an adventure as he sings about his favorite topics — life and love, keeping them engaged both lyrically and vocally.
Levine’s music provides a nice mixture of soul, R&B, with a hint of jazz. Fans can see him live in concert accompanied by his six-piece band as they tour the U.S. –christian johnson
When did you realize singing was your passion?
I’ve always wanted to be in entertainment, I just didn’t know how. You know your parents want you to go to college, so I had to finish that, I couldn’t just drop out and try to do music. I had to make sense out of it for their sake. I knew I could sing, play piano, and write but it wasn’t until I actually started recording that I thought that I could really do this.
How would you describe your style?
It’s a unique style, it’s nothing new but I think that it is fresh. It incorporates R&B and soul but it also incorporates a unique name. Like I … play instruments with my mouth, imitate instruments with my voice and use those techniques in jazz that kind of make music fun. I’m a songwriter at heart that’s the first thing, I think what makes me unique is incorporating jazz and blues and pop.
Who are some of the artists that you draw inspiration from?
Some of the artists are Al Green and Louis Armstrong but I also appreciate the things they do vocally … I look for songwriting and honesty so artists like Jill Scott, Steve Wonder, John Legend, Musiq Soulchild, India Arie and Lenny Kravitz [are also inspirations]. I jump around genres a lot as far as influence is concerned but in my own music I try to keep it centered around R&B and soul.
Are you signed to a major label?
I’m signed to an independent label, called Longlife Entertainment. I’m looking to get the attention of a major label. I’ve been an independent artist for five years and I’ve pretty much been my own manager, booking agent, graphic designer and my own producer, and so I’ve learned how to make it on my own.
