Sydney rap artist D.Minor has not always been riding high like he is right now; he started life as a young kid in Nambucca being shuffled from foster home to foster home.
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Music became his salvation and anchor to life in a turbulent world.
It was during a stint in a Sydney refuge that he was advised to enroll in a program at Key College, a Youth Off The Streets school, where they offered a music course called ‘Heaps Decent’. It was there he learnt how to record music, and kickstart his career.
D.Minor’s first big break came when he represented Australia at the 19th Annual World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) held in California, beating 40 other nations. He won Gold for Australia, for his track SYD 2 LBC; a song about his journey from homeless in Sydney to performing on the world stage.
On his return to Australia he was appointed ambassador of Parramatta City by the Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard.
His new single Concrete Pillow was launched in October by music charity Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD) and gives insight into his troubled childhood and experiences with violence, homelessness and life struggles.
“Concrete Pillow talks about my life, and what I’ve been through - the pain and struggles I had to endure as a child, becoming homeless, placed in foster homes, and shuffled between refuges," he said.
"It’s important to me as I want to bring awareness to the situation and inspire others experiencing hardship.”
Despite being homeless by age 11, kicked out of school soon after, and then separated from his twin brother as a 14-year-old, D Minor has amazingly managed to overcome adversity and rise to success.
Now eagerly completing his degree at the Australian Institute of Music, D Minor reveals he eventually reunited with his brother at a refuge two years after they'd been torn apart.
"We reconnected and ensured we stuck together throughout the rest of our time in refuges," he said.
D Minor has had the opportunity to be mentored by industry powerhouses like APRA, Network Ten, Sony Foundation and Universal Music.
Also featuring on the single is 20-year-old Gold Coast singer, model, dancer and host Alli Simpson (sister to Youtube star Cody Simpson).
Having released three of her own singles in recent years, Alli has a huge social media following and has lent her voice to anti-bullying initiatives, enjoying using her public profile to positively impact people.
Alli said when the opportunity arose to work alongside D Minor on Concrete Pillow she jumped at the chance.
"My short homeless experience on Filthy Rich & Homeless was life-changing for me. I met MMAD when I was in a refuge and their music program was so inspiring, so now I really want to help them to reach more young people," Alli said.
Now also a proud music mentor and charity ambassador for MMAD, D Minor says all the adversity he faced has far from broken him - it's instead made him stronger, wiser and more dedicated to help others.
"I'm hoping the single will raise money to help homelessness in Australia, and also help MMAD on their mission to inspire young people to overcome hardship and fulfil their great potential," he said.
I want young people to always remember there's support out there, and they can leave behind their Concrete Pillow – no matter what burden they are facing.
To support this project simply play/download the amazing track Concrete Pillow from October 26.
To learn more about donations or other ways to help fight youth homelessess through the power of music visit www.mmad.org.au
