Figure out how to invest your money for long-term gains. As a young teenager, I was gigging a lot, had a bank account (but no savings account), and saved most of my money because I didn’t have overhead. I could’ve leveraged that time to earn more before turning 18 and moving to NYC.
As a part of our series about “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist” I had the pleasure of interviewing Dylan Meek.
Born into a vibrant Texan legacy of innovators and artists, Dylan Meek’s creative journey has always defied expectations. From early days learning under Harlem piano master Jimmy Neely to electrifying collaborations alongside some of today’s most influential musical figures, Dylan has consistently pushed artistic boundaries. Dylan honed a virtuosic command of the keys that remains a hallmark of his signature sound. This dynamic prowess on the keys is seamlessly intertwined with his unmistakable, soul-stirring voice and richly layered harmonies, creating performances that resonate with both depth and authenticity — he transforms vulnerable moments into anthems of love and redemption. Known for his Grammy-nominated work and a repertoire that spans classic soul, neo-soul, and rock, Dylan’s music is a testament to fearless originality and the limitless power of connection. His forthcoming album Love Languages exemplifies this journey — a poetic celebration that challenges us all to love more openly and courageously.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in an artistic atmosphere — surrounded by visual art, music, literature, and dance. Different people in my family and community focused on different mediums, but there was always a shared support for artistic expression. That environment shaped me deeply, and art has always been an integral part of my life. I grew up in a small town I like to describe as “The Shire from Lord of the Rings — but with scorpions and rattlesnakes.”
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
My upbringing was the perfect incubator for a career in the arts. I was never pressured to choose a specific path, but I truly believe music chose me. The moment I knew for sure I wanted to be a musician was when I met my great mentor, Jimmy Neely — a legendary pianist from Harlem. He was larger than life, and having the chance to study with a master of his generation at my age was incredibly rare. It felt like a dream — still does. That was the lumber that built the fire.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Too many stories to rank, but here’s one: Before I moved to LA, I was torn about leaving NYC, where I had built my career over nearly 10 years. I’d been going back and forth to LA, tempted by some opportunities, but unsure about making the full move.
One February evening, as I was walking alone on the Venice Beach Boardwalk at sunset, I passed an old man covered in drums, guitars, and other instruments, with long curly gray hair. His face reminded me of a weathered version of mine, and he was smiling ear to ear. I’d never met him.
After he passed, I heard a voice call out, “Hey!!” I turned around, and he looked directly at me, saying, “Brother, move here, and everything will fall into place.” I never saw him again.
About a year later, on the day I signed my lease in LA, Om’mas Keith called and asked if I was in LA. I said, “Yes,” and he said, “Come to the studio and write some songs with me.” I did, and one of those songs ended up on a Grammy-nominated soundtrack.
I believe in signs. If that wasn’t one telling me I made the right move, I don’t know what is.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I’m really excited to release my upcoming album Love Languages on Liquid Culture Records. I spent four years working on it, pouring attention and intention into every song. It’s by far my best recorded and produced work yet, and I’m thrilled for the release. Right now, I’m gearing up for the first single, Be Your Man, featuring Mackenzie and myself, dropping in early April. Other singles will follow in May, June, and July, with the full album releasing in September! Connect with me on Spotify, so you can hear my new music.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
There are so many interesting people I’ve interacted with, but here’s one: I won’t mention her last name for her privacy, but her first name was ‘MF’ — she lived to 97. She was a true host with the most, a ray of sunshine with the youngest spirit. She was always one deep conversation away from laughter.
She grew up having dinners with Amelia Earhart, traveled the world, and had stories to last a lifetime. A ranch queen and positive community leader, she lived and loved the land. She married an artist/rancher, planted trees, spoke to them as if they were human, and communicated with her animals in the same way. She gave back to her community, and on her vast ranch, there was a sign that read, “Speed Limit is as fast as your age.”
Where do you draw inspiration from? Can you share a story about that?
I draw a lot of inspiration from nature. Most of the songs I’ve written have come from being near trees, rivers, or the ocean. If you listen closely to nature, it will show you a song to write — or at least help you hear the song that’s in your heart or dreams. Love is also a huge inspiration for me, whether it’s from the past, present, future, or even a dream.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
That’s a big question. I hope my music has brought goodness to the world — that’s always the intention. I’ve heard stories of people meeting at my shows and later falling in love. Does that count? Another thing I try to do is pay it forward and connect the dots for people I see have the fire in them musically or artistically, but just need some professional opportunities. I love passing that on, just as it was passed on to me. My music carries positive messages, with the intention of making people feel a little better after hearing it.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why.
- Write as much music as you learn.
- Learn how to record and produce music. If I’d started that as a teenager, I would have built that knowledge much sooner. I began that process in my early 20s.
- Study keyboard and modular synthesis.
- Learn how to video edit, use Photoshop, and consistently post music on YouTube. I remember when YouTube first started in the early 2000s, but didn’t realize I could post and build an online presence. Being proactive with online media, especially when you’re a young talent, can open many doors. I had press in newspapers, magazines, and posters as a kid, but I didn’t fully understand the power of online media at the time.
- Figure out how to invest your money for long-term gains. As a young teenager, I was gigging a lot, had a bank account (but no savings account), and saved most of my money because I didn’t have overhead. I could’ve leveraged that time to earn more before turning 18 and moving to NYC.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
If I have any influence, I’d like to inspire people to dance more, laugh more, be kinder, analyze more, ask more questions, reflect more, talk about their feelings more, support all forms of art, learn more, listen more, dream more, and love more. I’m no saint, but if I have influence, that’s what I’d want to inspire.
We have been blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she just might see this.
If I could have a private breakfast or lunch with anyone, it would be Satoshi Nakamoto — I’d love to talk about Bitcoin, their insights on earth and life, and absorb as much as I could from the source/creator of BTC. If I had another choice, it would be D’Angelo. His music has had such a huge impact on me, and if I ever had the chance to sit down with him, I’d be honored. I’d have too many questions about his recording process, the mics he uses, the instruments he writes on, and how he stacks vocals. I’ve listened to Oscar Peterson and D’Angelo more than anyone else. Oscar passed away almost two decades ago, and D’Angelo is still alive. But if both Satoshi and D’Angelo were unavailable, I’d love to sit down with the creator of Hydro panels — technology that produces clean drinking water from thin air powered by the sun.
What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?
Follow me on instagram @dylanmeekmusic, my Spotify and all other socials.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Dylan Meek: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.