Next Wave: Clark D

The 25 year old artist has carved out a unique path in music and culture by leaning into his authenticity, many talents, relationships and faith. Read our conversation with Clark D below.

Clark D is a Haitian-American rapper, producer, engineer, and musician from Boston, MA, now
residing in Atlanta, GA. Known for his versatile artistry and heartfelt authenticity, Clark is
carving his path in music and culture with a unique sound and purpose.

“I make life music,” Clark explains. “I’m on a journey to highlight every thought and emotion
that goes into the human experience.”

His music, whether introspective hip-hop, alternative R&B, or turn-up anthems, resonates with
listeners who appreciate authenticity and crave connection. He credits his inspiration to his
source and Creator, God. He also acknowledges talents like J. Cole, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, the Creator as influences on his personal musical journey.

“I feel like God is the OG artist, and when you look around the world you see things that
resemble the song-making process,” Clark shared of his musical inspirations. “On a human tip
I’ll say my biggest inspirations are probably J. Cole, Drake, Kendrick, and Tyler The Creator. I
love the way Tyler blends being a musician and rapper, and I love the way J. Cole is a poignant
storyteller. All of my favorite rappers do something excellent in their own way that I tend to
borrow from in my own approach to my music.”

Clark dropped his latest project Underdog Music, which has a number of catchy records like
“Nothing On You,” “Aliens” and our personal favorite, “Symphony.” The album features synthy,
bass-hitting production that pairs perfectly with Clark’s honest and open lyricism.

Clark’s journey began with a love for music instilled in him as a child, playing instruments in
church and exploring spoken word in his teens. By high school, he was already performing in
Boston, and he later earned a degree in Sound Recording Technology. Moving to Atlanta in
2021, he immersed himself in the industry. When Clark arrived in the city, he worked as an
engineer and producer while honing his craft. Since then, he’s become a three-time Grammy
nominee and an artist determined to serve others through his music.

“I’m making music to help people get through life in some way,” he shares. “The community I’m building speaks to individuals who are okay with life not being perfect but want better for
themselves,” he adds.

Clark’s career highlights include headlining shows in Atlanta, winning a Boston Music Award,
and collaborating on Grammy-winning projects, earning his first Grammy win in 2024 for his
work as an engineer.

Though he’s gained many amazing honors in music, his vision is even bigger.

“2025 will be the first year where I go full-throttle into myself as an artist,” Clark shared.

Leaving behind engineering as a primary income and chasing placements, the young rapper is
focused on creating from a place of love and authenticity.

“When I first started, I couldn’t even rap on beat,” Clark admits. “All my beats sounded so bad.
My mixes weren’t that good either. But I kept working. Ten years in, I’m at a point where I can
create any idea in my head from scratch at a high level, and produce, record, mix, and put it out
at any time, which is such a blessing.”

While Clark is making waves in a new city, he has never left his hometown or heritage behind.
Throughout our conversation, he continuously paid homage to Boston and often returns to
continue feeding the streets that raised him.

“A lot of people leave home and abandon where they’re from, not me,” Clark shared. “I’m also
proud that I’m not whoring myself out for likes, and clout. A lot of people give up their morals
for quick fame or validation and regret it in the end. Not me. I want to prove to the world that
you can make it by just being you.”

For those navigating their own artistic journeys, Clark’s advice is simple yet profound: “Be you,
be consistent, be relentless, and be a good person. Everything else will work out when it’s
supposed to.”

As he steps boldly into the new year, Clark D is not just making waves but he’s building a
sustainable future and legacy in entertainment. He jokingly admits what he’s most excited for on his way to becoming an even bigger force in music.

“I’m excited to sh*t on all the people that doubted me,” Clark laughs. “Aside from that I’m
excited to be an inspiration to the next generation and hopefully rebalance the landscape of this beautiful thing we have called hip-hop. I’m so excited to contribute to the culture that changed my life and is continuing to change my life.”

To keep up with all Clark D’s motion, be sure to follow him here.