DeStorm Power

DeStorm Power

destorm

DeStorm Power in 2012
Background information
Also known as DeStorm
Born (1982-01-30) January 30, 1982
Arlington, Virginia[1]
Origin Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Genres Hip hop, R&B
Occupation(s) Rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, comedian, athlete, director, beatboxer, ghostwriter, actor
Years active 2006–present
Labels Big Frame
Associated acts Snoop Dogg, Taye Diggs, Talib Kweli, MysteryGuitarMan, Freddie Wong, Ray William Johnson, Smosh, Kina Grannis, Tay Zonday, Nice Peter, The Annoying Orange, PSY, Alphacat, Boyce Avenue

DeStorm Power (/dæjstɔːrm/ DAY-storm; born January 30, 1982) is an American YouTube personality, musician, comedian, and motivational speaker. He is the 376th most subscribed user. His channel, DeStorm, has more than 250 videos which, together, have been watched more than 234 million times, and have earned the channel over 1.7 million subscribers.[2]

Life and career

DeStorm comes from Baltimore where he lived with his mother and seven siblings.[3]

After interning and ghostwriting at Atlantic Records, Universal, and various other record labels,[4] Power set out to establish himself as a performer, using YouTube as a platform to share his singing, songwriting, and production skills with the online community.[5] Power's videos are typically comedic, and also often incorporate rapping and beatboxing.[6] He was an accomplished triple jumper and Master personal trainer, and was notably invited to the Olympic Trials.[4] Power appeared as Mr. T in the first season of Epic Rap Battles of History[7] as well as rap artist Kanye West (symbolizing the Ghost of Christmas Present) in the YouTube series' third season and Shaka Zulu in the fourth.[8][9] He is also the founder of the Multi Channel Network Forefront.TV which focuses on urban lifestyle and music.[10][11] He also has a son, Tayvion Power. His mother died in 2008 of stomach cancer.

YouTube career

DeStorm Power

Power's YouTube channel, registered under the username DeStorm, has more than 1,700,000 subscribers, and is used primarily for his musical endeavors. His videos on the channel have been viewed over 200,000,000 times. "Wuz Up World? (What's up World?)"—DeStorm's catch phrase—can be heard at the start or end of every video. DeStorm often composes and performs covers or Beatbox covers of well known songs or creates content for major brands such as Pepsi, GE, Yahoo and Nintendo. DeStorm also creates original content based upon subscribers' challenges and suggestions, such as rapping in alphabetical order[12] or name dropping various movie titles in a rap.[13] Power occasionally collaborates with other popular YouTube personalities and recording artists, such as Mystery Guitar Man, Freddie Wong, Ray William Johnson,[14] Nice Peter and Kina Grannis. One of Power's most popular series on the channel is Rap Up, which Power began in 2009.[15] Power also competed in a commercial contest hosted by Heinz Ketchup and was a finalist.[6] Despite the success of his YouTube channel, Power announced in 2013 that his next major song release will be televised on MTV.[16] In April 2013, Power authored an op-ed on New Media Rockstars, detailing his concerns with the broken view counter on his DeStorm channel. He also won 2 comedy awards. Destorm was also featured a headliner on the Digitour in the summer of 2010, in which he and other Youtubers traveled around the country performing their songs from YouTube.[17] In 2014, DeStorm Power was listed on New Media Rockstars Top 100 Channels, ranked at #85.[18]

DeStormTV

DeStormTV, Power's second YouTube channel is used primarily for blogging, motivational, and behind the scenes videos. As a former personal trainer and Olympic level triple jumper, Power also gives fitness tips to the 1,450,000+ subscribers of this channel.[4]

The Power House

The Power House, originally dubbed as PowerHouseStreetTeam, was designed to promote Power's first Mixtape release, Be Careful. It was run by his assistant at the time, Sasha Lee Kay, and included some behind the scenes footage of his studio and the music video shoot of Power's song, Instagram. The channel is now run by Power himself and serves as his third YouTube channel and is used primarily for fitness and daily vlogging. The channel relaunched on December 26, 2012, with a series called "How to lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks." After completing the goal, Power decided to continue with the videos calling them, "My Fit Life," but has turned primarily into a vlogging channel with fitness involved at the end of each video. This channel has become inactive and has not uploaded a new video since March 10, 2013.

Notable videos and collaborations

Title Artist Upload Date (YouTube)
"Refresh the World"DeStorm PowerAugust 10, 2010 (2010-08-10)
A video song created for the Pepsi Refresh the World Project, currently being aired on MTV, BET, and VHI. The instrumentation was made using solely the sounds created by Pepsi cans, boxes, etc.
"AMA's SONG"DeStorm PowerOctober 3, 2010 (2010-10-03)
A video song commissioned specially for the 2010 American Music Awards. In this video, Power raps about the year's nominees.
"Get Crackin' with Wonderful Pistachios Commercial"DeStorm PowerOctober 14, 2009 (2009-10-14)
Power's winning submission to the Wonderful Pistachios Get Crackin' contest
"Tag Your Green!"DeStorm PowerOctober 4, 2010 (2010-10-04)
A video song for the General Electric Tag Your Green project promoting environmental responsibility.
"Airplanes – BoB & Hayley Williams of Paramore (Boyce Avenue & DeStorm cover)"DeStorm Power, Boyce AvenueJanuary 14, 2011 (2011-01-14)
An acoustic cover of the song “Airplanes” by B.o.B with Boyce Avenue.
"Power Hour – Kanye West Parody"DeStorm Power, Freddie WongAugust 18, 2010 (2010-08-18)
A song and video parody of the song “Power” by Kanye West with Freddie Wong.
"Making BLING Sexy!"DeStorm Power, VassyAugust 23, 2010 (2010-08-23)
A song and video collaboration with the Australian R&B singer Vassy.
"Household Jam Session (MysteryGuitarMan and DeStorm)"DeStorm Power, Joe PennaNovember 24, 2009 (2009-11-24)
A song and video collaboration with Joe Penna, also known as Mystery Guitar Man, using random household objects.
"Finally Free ft. Talib Kweli"DeStorm Power, Talib KweliNovember 28, 2011 (2011-11-28)
A rap song with a smooth hook featuring Talib Kweli. This song depicts hardships we come across during our lives and DeStorm making it so far and being finally free.
"Mr. T vs. Mr. Rogers"DeStorm Power, Nice PeterSeptember 14, 2011 (2011-09-14)
In the 13th episode of Youtube series Epic Rap Battles of History, Mr. T and Mr. Rogers face each other in a rap battle. DeStorm played Mr. T and series creator Nice Peter played Mr. Rogers.
"Larry King Challenges DeStorm[19]"DeStorm PowerAugust 2, 2012 (2012-08-02)
Larry King appeared in a 2012 video where he rapped with DeStorm as a promotion for his new show Larry King Now
"Pocket Like It's Hot – Snoop, DeStorm & Andy Milonakis"Snoop LionOctober 10, 2012 (2012-10-10)
A promotion for Hot Pockets featuring Snoop Lion satirizing his classic Drop It Like It's Hot with DeStorm Power and Andy Milonakis.
"Shaka Zulu vs. Julius Caesar"DeStorm Power, Nice PeterJuly 20, 2015 (2015-07-20)
In the 56th episode of Youtube series Epic Rap Battles of History, Shaka Zulu and Julius Caesar face each other in a rap battle. DeStorm played Shaka Zulu and series creator Nice Peter played Julius Caesar.

Vine

In 2013, Power began creating videos on the Vine social network platform.[15] On Vine, Power frequently collaborates with other Vine stars such as King Bach and Eric Dunn.[15][20] Power has amassed 5.3 million followers on the platform.[21]

Be Careful

A mixtape by DeStorm, Be Careful, was released May 1, 2012.[22] Blais, Lone Monk, Christopher Charles, Alex J and Owen Hill Jr. were among the album's producers.

Be Careful
Mixtape by DeStorm
Released May 1, 2012 (2012-05-01)
Genre Hip Hop
Length 48:28
Label Big Frame
Singles from Be Careful
  1. "Finally Free"
    Released: November 28, 2011
  2. "Love Signs"
    Released: February 15, 2012
No. Title Length
1. "Champion"   3:35
2. "My Grind"   3:48
3. "3-Minute Workout!"   3:09
4. "Instagram"   3:12
5. "Anything You Want (feat. Christian Caldeira)"   3:39
6. "Baddest Mutha"   3:37
7. "Selfish"   2:50
8. "Love Signs"   3:29
9. "See Me Standing (feat. Alexandra Govere)"   4:04
10. "The Background"   3:27
11. "Hold That Pose"   3:17
12. "Finally Free (feat. Talib Kweli)"   3:46
13. "Protest"   3:26
14. "Watch Me 2012 (feat. Razi)"   3:46
15. "Love All The Way"   2:36

At first when the album was released it was only in digital and physical CD form, but since May 1 limited edition USB keys with the album loaded onto them are being sold which were previously only available at a private launch party for the album.

King Kong

A mixtape by DeStorm, King Kong, was released February 3, 2013.

King Kong
Mixtape by DeStorm
Released February 3, 2013 (2013-02-03)
Genre Hip Hop
Length 48:20
Label Big Frame
Singles from King Kong
  1. "King Kong"
    Released: November 26, 2012
No. Title Length
1. "King Kong"   3:38
2. "Let Em Talk"   3:31
3. "All Right"   3:02
4. "Invincible (ft. Ray William Johnson & Chester See)"   3:26
5. "Dream Bigger"   3:11
6. "Money In My Pocket"   4:00
7. "Scattin' On Me (ft. Kreesha Turner)"   3:01
8. "Pole Position"   3:38
9. "Fuckin' Wit Me (ft. Koowplayy & Kreesha Turner)"   4:00
10. "Cameras (ft. Streetlight, Page Kennedy, & Chester See)"   4:18
11. "Cheques"   2:56
12. "Smoking on a J"   3:15
13. "Magic"   3:46
14. "You are a Star (ft. The Arnats)"   3:18

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Outcome Ref
2011 American Music Awards New Media Honoree (Male) Himself Won [23]
2013 Streamy Awards Best Web Musician DeStorm YouTube Channel Nominated [24]
2013 YouTube Music Awards Innovation of the Year "See Me Standing" Won [25]

References

  1. ↑ Power, DeStorm (April 12, 2013). "Draw My Life". DeStorm. YouTube. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  2. ↑ "DeStorm about". DeStorm. YouTube. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  3. ↑ ohanian, alexis. "From Homeless to Hip Hop Social Media Star". RedditUp. reddit. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Richardson, Clem (February 12, 2010). "From YouTube to Vancouver: New media sultan, girlfriend to cover Winter Olympics – thanks to contest". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  5. ↑ Sinderman, Zachary (November 9, 2010). "HOW TO: Become a YouTube Sensation". Mashable. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Lazarowitz, Elizabeth (August 11, 2009). "He's jingling all the way: Brooklyn rapper DeStorm Power rhymes for Heinz 5G prize". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  7. ↑ Holderness, Cates (September 15, 2011). "Epic Rap Battle: Mr. T Vs Mr. Rogers". BuzzFeed. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Donald Trump vs Ebenezer Scrooge. Epic Rap Battles of History Season 3.". Epic Rap Battles of History. YouTube. December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOm_2dGzqp0
  10. ↑ Klima, Jeff (April 10, 2013). "Forefront.TV hosts first ever live stream forefront comedy night". New Media Rockstars. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  11. ↑ Wallenstein, Andrew (December 12, 2012). "Big Frame brands top channels together as forefront". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  12. ↑ Power, DeStorm (May 30, 2011). "How To Rap In Alphabetical Order!". DeStorm. YouTube. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  13. ↑ "DESTORM RAPPING MOVIE TITLES". The Flint Skinny. Blogspot. September 10, 2010. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  14. ↑ DeStorm Power (April 19, 2013). "DESTORM POWER: CAN I COUNT ON YOUTUBE? [OP-ED]". New Media Rockstars. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 Gutelle, Sam (January 3, 2014). "Destorm’s Latest ‘Rap Up’ Might Be His Biggest One Yet". Tubefilter. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  16. ↑ "YOUTUBE STAR DeSTORM FREESTYLE RAP … At the Gas Station". TMZ. February 22, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  17. ↑ http://newmediarockstars.com/2013/04/destorm-power-can-i-count-on-youtube-op-ed/
  18. ↑ "The NMR Top 100 YouTube Channels: 100-76!". New Media Rockstars. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  19. ↑ Power, DeStorm (August 2, 2012). "Larry King Challenges DeStorm". DeStorm. YouTube. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  20. ↑ Power, DeStorm (January 3, 2013). "2014 handshake! w/ KingBach Let's see who can do the best remake. Hashtag #2014handshake (lyrics on IG @destorm)". Vine. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  21. ↑ Power, DeStorm. "DeStorm Vine Account". Vine. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  22. ↑ DeStorm Power (March 13, 2012). "Be Careful Mixtape". Spinshop. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  23. ↑ Cohen, Joshua (November 14, 2011). "Exclusive: DeStorm, Christina Grimmie, Karmin Receive Honors from American Music Awards". Tubefilter. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  24. ↑ "3rd Annual Nominees & Winners". Streamys. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  25. ↑ Gutelle, Sam (November 3, 2013). "Eminem, Lindsey Stirling, Destorm Among YouTube Music Award Winners". Tubefilter. Retrieved January 4, 2014.

External links

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