Dreams Don’t Have Deadlines: Artist Spotlight- D. Maurice “DMo!” Macklin

“Do everything you can to complete what you set out to do. It may succeed, it may fail, but you can never say that you didn’t do it.

If you know me, you know that one of my favorite artists is the soul singer and songwriter Eric Roberson. His song “Dreams Don’t Have Deadlines” inspired this column, and each week, he and his supporting vocalist DMo! share a piece of their lives with Patreon members during the Checking in With Eric Podcast. The life gems they drop on us are priceless, and we are free to share our dreams, frustrations, and joys with a great group of loyal fans who are now like family.  

On stage, DMo! gives us the harmonies and doubles as Eric’s hilarious sidekick. He surprised his fans by releasing his debut album Mosiac in 2016 and is currently working on his highly anticipated sophomore album. He is a man of many talents and acting has always been a lifelong dream of his. In March, DMo! gave a showstopping performance as the Mean Ol’ Lion in the Clubhouse production of The Wiz. iBronze recently got a chance to dig deeper into what motivates his staying power in the unpredictable world of entertainment.

iBronze– What was the turning point in your life when you decided to pursue your dreams?

DMo!- The turning point was actually an ugly point in my life. It was when I first separated from my wife of 10 years. I moved into a small, empty apartment, and as I laid on the floor that first night, I knew that I wanted something different for my life. I was more than just a husband and father, but I got content with being nothing else but. My ex-wife kicking me out turned out to be a blessing! It started a mind shift for me, and although I had no idea what “something different” was for me, I knew I had to start pursuing it. I also credit Lalah Hathaway and her “Pink Room Forum” for cultivating my purpose. I would go there every day and chat with so many different people, both in and out of the music industry, and it was there that I met a dear friend by the name of Elsa Lathan, who was Eric Roberson’s publicist at the time. She was the one that encouraged me to audition to be Eric’s background singer, and I’ve been pursuing my dreams ever since. Dreams truly don’t have deadlines.

iBronze– Can you describe/outline your typical day (pre-COVID/post-COVID)?

DMo!- My typical day has never been typical, lol! I’m constantly working on new music, whether it’s writing new songs for myself or working on new music with Eric. We are constantly booking gigs, making arrangements for performances, posting content on our various social platforms, all to continue to engage our audience and stay relevant. It’s a lot of work behind the scenes, no matter if the performance is physical or virtual. Pre-COVID is pretty much the same as post-COVID with one major difference: no traveling, ugh. That’s been a bummer for sure.

iBronze– What has been your most satisfying moment in the business?

DMo!- My most satisfying moment was the day I completed my debut album, Mosaic. It took me years, but I did it!! I was now officially a recording artist, and it doesn’t get any better than that. Now I get to relive that feeling all over again as I complete this sophomore project…I’m excited!

iBronze– How is being an artist affected your personal/family life?

DMo!- It wasn’t always accepted. I remember getting a lot of pushback from my ex-wife when I first started, and rightfully so. I was changing EVERYTHING, my income, my schedule, my life. But, as time moved on, she began to be more accepting and supportive. My kids, my dad, my uncles, and aunts? They couldn’t be more proud. But it has been time-consuming, so they have to be a bit more understanding than the average person.

But being an artist definitely takes a toll on my personal life. Some people don’t take you seriously as a musician. They think that you won’t make them a priority. It’s hard work being close to an artist, but for those who stick it out, it can be rewarding.

iBronze– What motivates you?

DMo!- I’m motivated by my love of what I do and my need to be relevant and respected by my fans and my peers. I have short-term and long-term goals for myself in this industry, but more importantly, I have naysayers to disprove and supporters not to let down. I’m also motivated by my children, who continue to follow in my footsteps in one way or another. My daughter Jaida just graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in English and wants to be a writer and actor. My son Cameron is pursuing his dreams as a producer, and he hasn’t even graduated high school yet! They constantly motivate me to do my best and show them that they can too!

iBronze– How do you define success?

DMo!- Great question. Success for me is being relevant and taken seriously. I do not have to be a millionaire. What I want more than anything is to matter in this game. I want people to see and hear my work and say that he was a student of his craft. I came to be reckoned with.

iBronze– What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage it?

DMo!- If I’m, to be honest, there’s not much on this earth that I’m fearful of. My fears are eternal and spiritual. Not to get too deep, but I understand the temporary plane we currently occupy. I wish to know what’s beyond and understand THAT, and that is my challenge mentally. My mind can’t grasp it, so I try to focus on what I can control…my peace of mind. It is everything to me, and I don’t take it for granted.

iBronze– Do you have any advice for someone thinking of reinventing themselves at midlife?

DMo!- YES! One word that has been drilled into me since I started 15 years ago: COMPLETION. Do everything you can to complete what you set out to do. It may succeed, it may fail, but you can never say that you didn’t do it. Completion is the most important word in the music business. So many of us have given up before we could complete our vision. We are not made to be broken. We are made to create!

iBronze– Do you live by any favorite quotes or mantras?

DMo!- The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz have me captivated now. They are:

Be Impeccable With Your Word.

Don’t Take Anything Personally.

Don’t Make Assumptions.

Always Do Your Best.

For more information on D. Maurice aka DMo! and his music, check out www.dmosoul.com, and @dmosoul on Instagram.