Meet Tevin Mike Donson | Boylikeunderrated | Artist & Public Figure

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tevin Mike Donson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tevin Mike, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am Tevin Mike Donson, professionally known as Underrated from Cape Town, South Africa. A part from what I do, I think the music I started doing stemmed from a very dark place in my life. I was more like the quiet type of kids who never complained, who never asked anyone for anything, not even my parents. I think I was taken advantage of cause I didn’t really talk much, I got beat countless times, my dad sometimes went too far by bruising me and even if he did that I still didn’t say anything cause I didn’t wanted to be a burden to anyone or at that moment I felt like nobody would understand what its like going home and making sure you get into bed before your dad comes, no matter how early it was. I even wet myself in bed on purpose cause I feared to get out of my room at night.

I only started writing music at the age of 14/15, I only really recorded my first song at 17, before that time I had all this hate and frustration which I didn’t show in the open but my heart hurt as a kid that young you know. I recorded a song called “Preach For Me” and nobody really understood the message behind it, but if you took the time to talk to me, get to know me personally, I would have confided in you and you would understand how much the message I brought across resonates with the life I went through.

Everything I went through made me a better person today, I have felt and I have learned. Today I walk with my head high and I hope the music I make will heal broken hearts and people really listen to understand, not to judge the circumstances of others. God will really turn your life around in an eye blink and you could reach out to your needs with fulfillment freely and happily, the aim is to never stop working on yourself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I don’t walk around thinking I am better than anybody, I am not arrogant. I have burned a few bridges in my life, I know what it’s like to want that kind of attention musically and don’t receive any, I know what’s like when people badmouth you for what you’re doing, it happens, it’s life, you have to accept that but moving on is the ambition, at all times. To answer your question about what sets me apart from other people/artists is, I am very emotionally when it comes to music, I overthink a lot, I think it’s because I want the attention more than the money. I am a sober habit artist, I don’t need cannabis to think or be creative, most artists use that as an excuse or a way to write better but I wasn’t raised like that, to create a whole new lifestyle for myself to think out of the box. To be honest, I feel like, if you’re lyrically blessed, you’re blessed, nobody can take that away from you. OMG, the most proud moment throughout my career by far, was when Drake sent me a dm via Instagram, I cried of excitement for 10minutes straight, standing in disbelief, it’s been amazing.

Faith, believe and consistency got me to where I am today, it was really not easy I can’t lie, I had my fair share of disappointments but he who doesn’t quit, shall win.

To the world out there who doesn’t know “Underrated” and to those who know me, I’m coming for everything they said I couldn’t have!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Mm, I would say, for eating and drinking, John Dorys in Century City, I love seafood and mocktail drinks, spend time at Wonderland, play games, do indoor football, hang out on the road, introduce my friend to my family, take him to studio to check out how I record, that’s the most exciting thing for me to do, have drinks and barbeques and club on a requested day from him, I’m not a fan of clubbing cause clubs causes the most trouble when you the least expect it, I’d prefer hanging out together and chill.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Firstly, I want to say thank you to GOD, first! Prayer carried me through hardship and uncertainty. Secondly, my mom, I want to send a huge shoutout to her too, she play the role as a fan in my life, I am glad that I could make her proud. My aunt, Mirinda Ford, who no longer lives, would always call me to congratulate me on any small achievement. I am very thankful to each and everyone who always reaches out to check on me, my music, my family. Also to the Daily Voice Newspaper, The Tygerburger Newspaper too for publishing my story and had many young individuals inspired. The music supporters and my distant friends still reaching out, I want to say thank you, I’d literally be nowhere without this kind of love and support system.

Website: https://boylikeunderrated-artist.business.site

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boylikeunderrated

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/theghettohero

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boylikeunderrated

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC9p2bzZHM2e5yiN8NAcDbUrA

Other: Tygerburger Newspaper https://www.netwerk24.com/ZA/Tygerburger/Nuus/rapper-from-elsies-shines-in-usa-20200303-2 Daily Voice Newspaper https://www.dailyvoice.co.za/lifestyle-entertainment/from-elsies-river-to-new-york-42595281?

Image Credits
Ozzy Primeiro