De'Wayne is graduating with honours and spreading some love on his new EP, 'I Want You More Than Anybody Wants You'

DE'WAYNE has already delivered show-stopping albums, so when he claims he's finally "cracked the code', it's time to sit up and pay attention. Check out our latest Upset cover story.

Words: Steven Loftin.
Photos: Shai Lev.

Newly signed to Fearless Records, De'Wayne remains steadfast in being a free spirit. With his new EP 'I Want You More Than Anybody Wants You', he's bridging the gap between 2022's 'My Favourite Blue Jeans' and his already-simmering next full-length endeavour. "After [this] EP was when I cracked the code. I was like, 'Oh, now I'm a musician!'"

'I Want You...' is a graduation ceremony of sorts for the rising star. "I'm gonna get a big nice grad cap!" he laughs. This little dose of his rambunctious sounds is, "The last of De'Wayne getting in the studio and just being like, you know," he shrugs, "'Sounds good to me'. Now I know what I'm doing and looking for it." This latest take on a bold and unapologetic embracing of love is a moment to relish for its creator. "I just want to show the world who I am," De'Wayne admits.

His motive for this fresh batch of songs is simple. "I've been living by this Prince quote," he mentions. "'You're either here to enlighten or to discourage'." While this outing is a direct nod towards a certain figure in De'Wayne's life he refers to as his "best friend", there's an undertone that runs deep through its canyons of unabridged devotion. "It's all about self-love," he professes. "I think people may try to reach and be like, 'Oh, this is about this person' - and it is - but it's clearly like I'm showing you De'Wayne."

"Just like with the video," he adds. "The song that's just come out ['Synthesiser'], people can be like, 'Oh, it's about a girl - and it is - but also I'm a fan of me, you know what I mean?