What was it like for Darren aka DMilli to step into a music studio for the first time? “Just let me know if I am talking too much,” he tells me, clearly overjoyed as he describes the recording process of his debut single, “Rising The Truth.” With only four sessions to record, mix, and master the track, it seems no easy task. 

Darren’s love for rap began in his teenage years when writing lyrics allowed him to express himself like nothing else. To him, his learning disability has never been an obstacle. He was determined to make music his career and saw True Cadence’s (TC) Music Industry Masterclass (MIM) as the key to this dream.

“My disability cannot prevent me from chasing my dreams 24/7. I don’t see that as a difficulty.”

But in music world, even pure dedication is sometimes not enough. When it comes to young musicians like Darren, many times, they lack the right support to show their full potential. The Youth Music report written by Disabled musicians about their lived experience proves just how difficult it can be to break through in music, when one’s needs are not being accommodated.

Despite 13.3 million Disabled people living in the UK, their perspectives remain absent from music education. As a result, more than half of these musicians cannot find a teacher who would understand their specific needs. While local community centres may offer recording opportunities for them, without tailored support, young people can end up feeling rushed and overlooked. 

To address this, True Cadence communicated closely with Darren’s mum and college tutor throughout the MIM programme: “When working with people like Darren with additional needs, it’s all hands on deck in terms of supporting them,” says Manny, TC’s Founder and Programme Manager.

But with Darren’s extraordinary drive and love for music, multitasking his college studies with evening music classes was a no-brainer: “My disability cannot prevent me from chasing my dreams 24/7,” he says. “I don’t see that as a difficulty.”

Even his mum, Janet, was astonished by his focus during the Zoom sessions: “There was a lot of talking, and Darren usually tends to get bored. But he was able to concentrate because he was interested in music.”

However, things became more challenging towards the end of the programme. Darren had planned a single release party, but the process became so overwhelming it nearly made him quit. “I felt like we failed him in a way,” Manny says. “True Cadence is a place where young people build confidence rather than having it sucked out of them.”

Only after Manny shared his own struggles with Darren, did the two find common ground—that giving up was not an option. They decided to shift focus to a music video instead, allowing Darren to take the lead while still receiving maximum support.

As the shoot approached, Darren’s insecurity began to creep in. He feared how people would react to his disability: “I worried I wouldn’t handle pressure, and I was also very self-conscious about my disability being shown on video.”

But once the shooting began, stress fell from Darren’s shoulders. There he was, rapping in Oxford Circus surrounded by crowds, feeling completely free and enjoying himself:

“There was this aura about Darren, and people just wanted to support him,” says Manny, who watched him bring his vision to life. The biggest surprise, however, came from an Uber driver, Raj, who generously offered his van for the shoot. “It was such a beautiful thing to watch,” Manny recalls.

Taking control of the video shoot empowered Darren. Organising music, making phone calls, and travelling to various locations significantly improved his communication and confidence, much to his family’s amazement, Janet shares: “Everybody who watches that video can’t believe that it’s Darren, that he can do such a thing. You know, people are asking – Is that really Darren? WOW! How did he manage to do that?”

Through an asset-based approach, True Cadence focused on highlighting Darren’s strengths, such as his determination: “If Darren has his mind set on something, he’s going to do it,” Manny smiles, remembering a time when this trait also proved counterproductive: “I was like, wait till after Christmas before you release your song. And Darren was like, okay, I’ll wait. And the next day, he released it.”

“But with that said, though, he trusted his gut, and that paid off,” Manny quickly adds.

Darren continues to tell his truth through music, encouraging others to chase their dreams no matter what comes their way. He is now working on his second song, which champions the belief that everyone has a purpose in life.

As the Zoom call nears its end, Darren suddenly speaks up:

Darren: Manny, I also have a question.

Manny: Yes, go ahead.

What was your favourite part of the Music Industry Masterclass?

The day of your music video when, I saw everything you worked for being documented. The output will be with you for the rest of your life.

What was your least favourite part of the Music Industry Masterclass?

Those are really good questions, Darren. Sometimes, your determination and desire to get quick results affect your ability to sit back, listen and reflect. But I had to pull myself back and realise it was a learning curve for you. All I had to do was support you and let you learn from your mistakes.

And what do I need to work on?

Try to think about where you see yourself in the future. The Music Industry Masterclass also prepares you for a music career outside of being an artist. So, think about where you want to take it and that way, you’ll have a focus.