Today, we're pulling back the curtain on two of the underground hip-hop scene’s most intriguing figures: the prolific Los Angeles-based artist, songwriter, and audio engineer DDPresents, and Salt Lake City's enigmatic vocal powerhouse, PAINLIKESHADOWS.
Known for their distinct yet complementary styles, these two artists have been making some serious waves in the cloud rap arena. DDPresents, a triple threat, has cultivated a cult following with his genre-bending sound, fusing trap, cloud rap, and experimental hip-hop across hundreds of tracks. PAINLIKESHADOWS, with his emotive, spectral delivery and dark, introspective lyricism, brings a haunting intensity that truly sets him apart.
We recently sat down with DDPresents to chat about the duo’s journey, their creative processes, and the highly anticipated collaboration, ‘DARK KNIGHT’, set to drop later this month on June 13, 2025.
We’ve been watching both you and PAINLIKESHADOWS making some impressive moves of late. When did you first start making music? Where did it all begin, and what inspired you?
“DDPresents started making music in 8th grade. It all started after he was the starting running back for his middle school's football team. Midway through the season, Darrin Davis broke his knee. A little while afterwards, DD decided to start pursuing music. He downloaded Audacity and got to work. Working with local artists, then eventually levelling up in high school using FL Studio. Once DD graduated high school he became a Real Estate agent while pursuing music and decided to do music full-time and attend the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences in Gilbert, Arizona. Now DD is based in Los Angeles, interning at Apex Arts Studios in North Hollywood.”
There’s a lot of hype surrounding the new release with PAINLIKESHADOWS - can you tell us a bit about your latest release and what it means to you?
“’DARK KNIGHT - Shadows Mix’ fuses DDPresents’ thunderous basslines and ghostly melodies with PAINLIKESHADOWS’ ethereal flow, crafting a sonic rebellion that captures our inner fire. This track is our bold declaration, merging gritty intensity with universal appeal to dominate late-night vibes. It’s a testament to our creative alchemy, staking our claim in the hip-hop cosmos.”
Are there any artists, moments, or experiences that influenced you when writing the release?
“Night Lovell’s moody flows and Utah’s desolate nights fuelled us. Picture cruising LA’s glowing streets or staring into a starry desert sky—that’s the spark behind this track’s gritty soul.”
How would you describe the sound on your latest release? Has there been a change or evolution in style since you first began?
“It’s a nocturnal banger—booming lows and spectral synths that hit like a storm. From DD’s Audacity experiments in 8th grade and PAIN’s intense bars, we’ve evolved to craft cinematic, gut-punching trap.”
Is there a central message or theme you were trying to convey in your latest release? Is there a moment in the release that really captures that idea?
“This track screams defiance and owning your inner fire. That chant-like hook, built for late-night cruises, captures our vibe of rising above the chaos.”
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations as an artist? Where do you see yourself in the next few years, both musically and personally?
“We’re aiming to redefine trap and cloud rap, hit major stages, and maybe score a movie. In a few years, we see ourselves running studios and droppin’ game-changing projects.”
What's next after this release? Do you have any new releases or shows on the horizon?
“We’re cookin’ new singles, bangers coming all 2025, and hopefully some live shows on the West Coast and beyond. Keep your eyes peeled for what’s to come!”
Is there anything you would like to say to our audience? How can they connect with you and help support you?
“Big love to everyone ridin’ with us! Stream ‘DARK KNIGHT - Shadows Mix’ on Spotify, once it's released on June 13th! Connect with us on Insta - @ddpresents & @painlikeshadows - and share the track to keep our wave growin’ strong.”
A cinematic trap anthem, the new track promises to be a sonic manifesto, blending pounding 808s, eerie synths, and crisp drums to evoke everything from late-night drives through LA’s neon streets to chaotic club vibes. It's a track that demands attention, exploring themes of rebellion, hustle, and inner shadows with a hypnotic, TikTok-ready hook.
Keep your eyes peeled and your speakers ready for June 13, 2025 – ‘DARK KNIGHT - Shadows Mix’ is set to cast a long shadow over the scene. Be sure to stream the new single on Spotify later this month, and connect with them on Instagram (@ddpresents and @painlikeshadows) to keep up with their journey.
