F  L  A  U  N  T

D. Muñoz is a pop star in the making, here to serenade the masses all across the world. Hailing from the very small city of Bayonne, New Jersey and raised by a single mom, the Colombian and Dominican singer-songwriter broke out onto the scene after posting an original rap on Instagram — that went viral.

Last year, real name Daniel Muñoz teased fans with “Typa Luv,” paving the way for his forthcoming project to come. His music transcends the genres of pop and R&B, paired with pure love and romance. Fast forward to 2020, the 20-year-old releases his major label debut, an EP titled MOMENTS, via Epic Records. 

With the success he’s received thus far independently, accumulating millions of streams and gaining fans daily, Muñoz is well on his way to become a staple in the music industry. Flaunt caught up with the “Drink” artist to discuss his upbringing and journey to Epic Records. 

Being from Bayonne, New Jersey, what was the household like growing up?

The household was fun. Every Sunday, my mom would cook and clean. We’d wake up to Spanish music being played. A lot of tough times after my mom and dad split, but it was always fun. We always stuck together. We always had fun. We cleaned together. It was a very fun time. 

Do you have siblings?

I do have siblings. I have a brother and a sister. 

Are they musically-inclined too?

Nah, I’m the only one musically. My brother’s 22 now, my sister’s 30.

At what point did you know music was going to be a career?

I was always a shower singer. We’re all shower singers. But when I really got into music, I was about 15. It didn’t even come from a family influence, it came from my friends. We were in a group chat, a walkie talkie app, and I sent a voice memo of me singing. They were impressed. [chuckles] They told me I was pretty good. They told me I should try to pursue it. That whole night for the rest of the night, I thought about it. I didn’t believe them, but then I got on instagram and I posted my first cover. I got some good feedback, so from there... 

You used to box right?

I did used to box. Before music, I wanted to pursue a boxing career. I was 15, I was training for about a year, maybe a bit longer. I was going to do my first fight but then I started drifting away from that life and started getting into music. Honestly, I didn’t want to break my nose. That scared me a lot. I started falling in love with music and ended up letting that go.

When you were boxing, what music would get you hyped?

It’s crazy because when I was boxing, that’s when “Drunk In Love” was the biggest song in the world. [chuckles] They’d play that song in the gym all the time because they’re playing the radio, and that’s the biggest record. That song would come on every time and all the boxers would be singing “druuunnkk in love.”

Your music transcends from pop to R&B to even dance music. Who are your biggest influences?

My biggest influence is Bryson Tiller from the whole R&B. Before I got with Epic, my whole sound was R&B soul. I wasn’t really into pop. After I signed, we started having fun and dipping into the whole pop world. The records have been coming out good. Bryson Tiller, Drake, Chris Brown, Big Sean, Meek Mill, all those artists I grew up listening to — but Bryson Tiller’s my top one.

How’s Los Angeles treating you?

Los Angeles is treating me good. I love LA. I’m out here until Saturday then it’s back to Jersey. But LA is beautiful. Me and Shana always fight about where we’re going to move to, whether it’s Miami or LA. I love LA. I love the weather, the people. Everybody in music comes out here. The music scene is dope, I just love it. 

How’s your following back home compared to out here?

My following back home is a little bit behind compared to over here. California is my bigger audience, but back home is cool. I definitely think I’ll move. I’m caught between staying in Jersey, going to Cali, or going down to Florida.

What’s in Florida?

Every time we go down there, I fall in love with it. When I stay away from it for a long time and we come to LA more, I already know. Miami or Star Island, I’ll live next to Diddy or something. [laughs]

“A Lil Nothin” is such a vibe. What’s Maxwell’s influence on you?

So I actually didn’t know it was a Maxwell sample. [chuckles] I played it for one of my friends, they’re like “that’s Maxwell!” I’m like “who is that?” But then I went and listened to the original song and I actually got it in my playlist. I really like the song, it’s really good. 

 

You’re so young, was that before your time?

Definitely before my time, but I love the original record. It’s cool that he cleared the sample, that means that he likes the song. He feels like I did good with his classic, so that’s cool. 

How do you create a vibe in the studio?

It depends on how I’m feeling, because I work with other writers a lot. Usually when I come in, they ask me how I’m feeling. They ask me what I’m going through. I’ll come in with an idea or a personal story, or I’ll say “let’s just go with whatever feels right.” Lately, my friend Cody taught me this, he said “yo, just go in the booth and freestyle.” So I’ve been picking up on that a lot, where you lay down all the melodies then you guys put it together like surgery. Or we all sit in the room, we listen to the beat and come up to melodies right there. It all depends on what the vibe is.

What are 3 things you need in the studio?

Tea. Throat Coat Tea and some honey. Some food, some really good food. The third option, I haven’t come up with yet. Let’s see when I become more bratty and boujee, I’ll definitely find that. [laughs]

What food do you like out here?

I definitely like Wokcano. Bossa Nova, the pesto pasta. The Waffle is a good breakfast spot. Roscoes, you can’t go wrong with that. The Four Seasons, my friend works there. He showed us a bunch of good food. One more spot… Mr. Chow.

Favorite person to follow on IG?

Draya [Michelle]. That’s my baby.

Have you guys crossed paths?

Not yet, but it’s coming. [chuckles] Best believe it’s coming. 

Best encounter you had with a fan?

We had a really dope one recently in Miami. I performed at the Coconut Grove Festival, these 2 girls drove 5 hours to come see me. It was pretty dope meeting them. We took pictures, talked, and laughed.

How did you find your way to Epic Records?

I met my manager Wayno in Walmart. This was on December 16th, 2016, it’s crazy because I remember the date. My mom wanted me to go to Walmart. You know when your mom sends you to the store and you don’t want to go? We had a little fight for like 5 minutes. Obviously you have to do what your mom says, so I ended up going to Walmart. 

I was a huge fan of this rapper at the time so I knew everybody that was on the team, who he was surrounded by. His name’s Dave East, Wayno was the manager. I was a big fan so I knew exactly who was who. So I’m walking in Walmart with my cousin and a girl I was dating at the time. We’re walking and we’re looking for food that my mom wants us to buy. I look down one aisle and I see Wayno. I don’t want to say I had a groupie moment or a fan moment but yo, he manages Dave! So I’m psyched up. I’m hyped.

I pull my cousin like “yo that’s such an such’s manager, should I go say what’s up to him?” They’re like “yeah, go!” So I go up to him and I introduce myself. I ask him if I can send him some music. He says “you can,” he gives me his email. I sent him a couple records and I didn’t hear back from him, but he followed me on Instagram. I had been let down so many times so it didn’t bother me. I always continued to do my own thing. 

I continued to put my own records out. I was getting ready to put out my first music video. A year passed, I’m getting ready to put out my first independent EP and he hits me up. He’s like “yo I see everything that you got going on, I really like it. If you need help, let me know. I’m here.” I said “yeah, I need some help right now!” [chuckles] So we started working. In the beginning of 2018, we were looking around for deal opportunities. He put me together with my lawyer Heath. Heath is cool with Sylvia, so he put that tougher and I ended up signing here. It’s been good. 

 What can we expect next?

You can expect some more shows. Possibly some more Spanish music. Some more music, and just growth. 

You spit in Spanish also?

Yeah, we have two Spanish records on my EP. We actually have enough records in Spanish for a whole album. I’ve always been fluent. My Spanish was pretty bad a couple years back because I didn’t like to speak Spanish. 

 Why not?

It’s just one of those things where you’re a little kid and you feel like it’s not cool. I didn’t really care for it. But then I started being around my cousin more and we’d talk in Spanish. Make fun of each other in Spanish and joke around. I started to pick it up better. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see myself in 10 years with a bunch of accolades. Hopefully a Grammy or 2, 3, 4, 5. Being healthy financially, physically, spiritually. Having my family in a better place and being one of the top selling artists. One of the biggest artists, biggest pop stars. Big plans and dreams that I want to accomplish.