Toronto-based rapper D'NME is making waves with his powerful new single, "In The End," featuring hip-hop legend The Game.
After overcoming early career challenges, including a lack of local support, D'NME’s resilience has paid off, earning him recognition on major platforms like Sway In The Morning and Thisis50, along with over 1.2 million streams on Spotify.
"In The End" blends old-school hip-hop energy with modern production, showcasing D'NME's fierce wordplay and determination.
With The Game adding an intense verse, the track is an anthem of raw power and lyrical mastery, destined to leave a lasting impression on hip-hop fans.
We’re genuinely hitting repeat on our new single, “In The End.” What inspired you to create this track?
Thanks for having me back. I think this track was inspired by a lot of craziness I went through, both personally and professionally, in 2023. There are many aspects of my personal life that I won’t go into detail about, as I prefer to keep that part of my life private. However, dealing with a lot of bullshit, losing trust in various people, and separating myself from them were major influences. On the professional side, dealing with the industry’s behind-the-scenes politics and the constant moving-the-goalpost mind games in rap inspired me to write the song.
What was it like working with such a legendary artist like The Game for “In The End”? How did that collaboration come about?
This collaboration came about through a producer named Anno Domini, who I connected with last year. He set everything up. Collaborating with The Game was definitely on my bucket list as an MC. I’ve always respected his rapping ability, and I don’t think he gets enough credit for his impact in Hip Hop. So, working with him was definitely a career highlight for me.
"In The End” has a unique blend of old-school vibes and modern production. How did you approach the production process for this song?
Initially, Anno Domini had some production ready, but I wanted something different. I was looking for something that had the feel of a theme song or entrance music. My go-to producer, Jon Bonus, was a little tied up at the time, so I reached out to Kevin Cho, a producer based in Los Angeles. Kevin nailed the beat in one shot. As soon as I heard it, I’m not joking; I got goosebumps. Even though I loved what Kevin did, I still felt like there was a little more “meat on the bone” from a production standpoint. As destiny would have it, Jon had some free time right as Kevin wrapped up, so I got in with Jon, and he really worked on the additional production and arrangement.
Your bars in “In The End” are incredibly clever and raw. What message did you want to convey through this track? What was your goal in that respect?
I think it goes without saying that I’m an MC to the core. The lyricism is extremely important to me, and I approached the writing of that verse with a “back against the wall, say what’s really on your mind and what’s really in your heart” mindset. Ultimately, I wanted to convey the message that “I’m the best in the world at this rap shit” in my mind, and I will show and prove that anytime. But the deeper message was a big middle finger to anyone who thought I wouldn’t make it in rap or survive the obstacles that have come my way throughout life.
How does “In The End” reflect your journey as an artist so far? What does it say about you and your music?
I believe “In The End” shows how far I’ve come. When I listen to that song and hear myself rapping alongside The Game, it feels like a testament to how long I’ve been in this rap game and how I’ve continued to see success in my own way. I’ve really become the person I imagined I would be in my early years because I never wavered. I stuck to rap and kept going, and that’s how it’s always going to be for me.