iAmDLOW

Music can incite positive movements. It’s happened time and time again throughout history, but it takes the right talent to sustain change.

iAmDLOW knows just how to move people. The 21-year-old Chicago rapper, choreographer, writer and producer took a look at the environment around him and decided to make a change through his music.

Known to friends and family as Daryon Simmons, iAmDLOW – an acronym that stands for Determined, Loyal, Optimistic, and Willing to Learn – chose to escape Chicago’s violence and poverty-plagued West Side neighborhood by doing something positive with his extraordinary gifts for music and dance. His original lyrics and choreography for 2013’s “DLOW Shuffle” proved a YouTube phenomenon, beginning a viral dance craze so popular iAmDLOW was invited to perform it alongside Steve Harvey on his nationally syndicated daytime show.

Since the age of eight, iAmDLOW has always used dance to cope with his every day struggles and his music to express his deepest thoughts. "Where I’m from, we're known for having the highest murder rate in the world,” he sighs. “I wanted to make something for my city where people can come together, dance, and have fun rather than gang bang and hurt each other. That’s my inspiration. This art form can help people understand themselves and others maybe even more than conversations can.”

Expanding on a new genre of music that iAmDLOW created called, “Bop Pop" - the union of pop and hip-hop - 2015 saw iAmDLOW explode on the music scene with his "Do It Like Me" challenge. Captured on film in Chicago's Millennium Park, the clip would rack up 100 million cumulative views in less than six months, landing him on the Billboard Hot 100, and inspiring millions of fans to create their own renditions.

Superstars like Kevin Hart, Lisa Raye, Adrien Broner, Floyd Mayweather and more posted their own versions of DLOW's challenge online. Even Beyoncé threw a snippet into her performance at Super Bowl 2016.

iAmDLOW continues to dominate the world of social media, yet again, with the release of his hit music video, “All Day.” Soon after its release, the #AllDay Challenge swept the internet on all different platforms. It comes as no surprise that the nation followed along with his infectious dance moves just in time for the holidays.

iAmDLOW has also drawn national notice for his close connection with Chicago’s one and only Chance the Rapper. The two have collaborated on a wide range of projects, from partnering onstage at Lollapalooza 2014 to Donnie Trumpet and The Social Experiment’s short film, “Sunday Candy."What’s more, iAmDLOW headlined Chance’s Teens in the Park (TIP) Fest – presented by the Chicago Park District to an audience of over 3,000 teens -and joined the acclaimed MC for a memorable performance of “Angels” on CBS’The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

In addition to his explosive work as an artist and choreographer, iAmDLOW is also a committed activist and inspirational speaker, sharinghis powerful personal story withstudents at over 500elementary, junior high, and high schools thus far.iAmDLOW believes that dance is a positive alternative to violence and should be viewed as a way of self-expression.iAmDLOWand his remarkable story have been featured in a range of national media, including BET’s106 and Park, ABC’sGood Morning America, theWall Street Journal, and many more.

Given this success, it’s almost hard to believe where his story began.

“My grandparents raised me,” he says. “My mom had a drug problem, and I never met my father. My grandmother taught me how to dance. She was my best friend, my mom - basicallymy everything. She passed away when I was 12 and it made me want to dance and do music even more.”

iAmDLOW inked a deal with Atlantic Records and introduced the world to what he really stands for in his newest project entitled, 'I Am DLOW,’ on March 18, 2016.

DLOW's project features his, "Do It Like Me" challenge which marries energetic movements to an irresistible chorus, beckoning everybody to move. “At the time, I was going through a lot,” he recalls. “When I looked at Chris Brown and Michael Jackson dance, it pushed me to go harder.”This is my challenge to the world - I know you can do it - show me!"

Elsewhere, “Groovy” pays homage to the old school flavor of his uncle Will with a swaggering and shuffling swing. "Turn My Music Up," proves iAmDLOW is more than a choreographer with its upbeat chorus that dares his fans to blast his music for the world to hear. And his final song on the project, "The Feeling," remarkably reimagines Phineus and Ferb's 'GitchieGitchie Goo' song into a club-thumping classic.

The young rapper has definitely been busy putting a lot of work into his music. iAmDLOW pulls inspiration from his interactions in life and that is extemely prevalent in his most recent project, “Paige III”. In the nine track mixtape, released on Black Friday, he channels the story of a young 8 year old girl from Charlotte, NC. She suffered from a heart condition, which fortunately, she was able to overcome with iAmDLOW there by her side. The mixtape was met with much success on Soundcloud receiving thousands of plays thus far.

iAmDLOW brought that spirit directly to the masses on the 2016 Let’s Dance Tour alongside Silentó, iLOVEMemphis (fka iHEART), We Are Toonz, and 99 Percent. “It all comes together on stage,” he smiles. “That’s where you get the whole experience.”

“What I’m doing is not impossible,” he leaves off. “It’s just about being determined, staying loyal, keeping optimistic, and always remaining willing to learn. We all can do this.”