Derrick Watson

Emotion-driven lyricist

Derrick Watson on SoundBetter

Genre-bending songwriter with a sharp pen for love, pain & ambition — ready to bring your next record to life.

I write songs that connect — whether it's heartbreak, hunger, or healing, I know how to turn real emotion into memorable lyrics. With a background rooted in pseudo-R&B and hip-hop, my writing bridges the cleverness of rap with the vulnerability of melodic storytelling. I’ve written, performed, and recorded dozens of original songs, performed live for packed crowds, and now I’m bringing that same energy to help elevate your sound.

I specialize in:
Lyric writing (R&B, pop, hip-hop)
Vocal melody/topline creation
Full song concepts from scratch or from idea
Song doctoring for existing demos

Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.

Languages

  • English

Interview with Derrick Watson

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: One of my proudest moments was writing a song called "Long Day" — a storytelling track that blends modern R&B with vivid character detail. I wrote the lyrics and topline from scratch. The record resonated because it captured something personal for a lot of listeners while still feeling smooth and accessible. It reminded me why songwriting is my zone.

  3. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  4. A: Right now, I’m building my songwriting catalog while collaborating with independent artists across R&B, melodic rap, and alternative spaces. I’m also developing original demos to pitch and licensing ideas, and helping others bring their emotions into fully written songs that actually sound like them.

  5. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  6. A: I'm still new to the SoundBetter community, so I’m exploring and getting familiar with other talent on the platform. But I’m always down to recommend great engineers, vocalists, or producers once I’ve worked with them directly and trust their consistency.

  7. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  8. A: Digital — it gives me the freedom to experiment, pivot fast, and send work across the world. For writing especially, flexibility is everything.

  9. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  10. A: I’ll bring my full attention to the story you’re trying to tell. No filler, no copy-paste. Just songs that feel lived in and honest.

  11. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  12. A: Hearing someone say, “That’s exactly how I feel but didn’t know how to say it.” That’s when I know I did my job right.

  13. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  14. A: Can you make this sound more like [insert big artist]?” My answer: Absolutely — I can bring that influence, but I’ll still make sure it sounds like you.

  15. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  16. A: That writing is easy or automatic. Good songwriting isn’t just rhyming — it’s translating emotion into something that works rhythmically, melodically, and conceptually.

  17. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  18. A: What’s the emotion or story behind this track? Are you looking for something catchy, something raw, or both? Who are your influences?

  19. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  20. A: Come with a clear idea of what you want emotionally. I can match the vibe, but the more open you are, the more personal the final product will feel.

  21. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  22. A: Rode NT1-A, MacBook Pro, Apollo Twin, headphones, and my notebook.

  23. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  24. A: I started writing songs in college after transitioning from a business background. My first real songs caught attention quickly, and I’ve been sharpening the craft ever since.

  25. Q: How would you describe your style?

  26. A: Minimalist but cutting. I don’t overcomplicate things — I aim for lines that feel like you’ve heard them before, even if you haven’t.

  27. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  28. A: I’d love to write for Summer Walker or Don Toliver. They both have sounds that let you be vulnerable and melodic while still feeling cool — that balance fits my writing style perfectly.

  29. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  30. A: Your lyrics and melodies should still hit even if they’re stripped down. If it works a cappella or over a piano loop, it’ll probably work on a fully produced track.

  31. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  32. A: Modern R&B, melodic rap, and hip-hop with emotional undertones. I’m also comfortable with alternative or genre-blend records that need storytelling.

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: Writing lyrics that are honest but still smooth. Whether it's heartbreak, confidence, or conflict, I can capture the feeling in a way that’s digestible and real.

  35. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  36. A: Clarity, emotional truth, and replay value. I know how to say something heavy without sounding overdone — and I’m good at finding that one line that sticks with people.

  37. Q: What's your typical work process?

  38. A: I start by listening to the beat a few times to get in the right emotional pocket. Then I either freestyle melodies until something hits or write concepts based on a brief. I revise until every line earns its place.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: I work out of a compact home studio with a Rode NT1-A mic, Apollo Twin interface, and Logic Pro X. I also collaborate with trusted engineers when it’s time to elevate the mix or finalize vocal production.

  41. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  42. A: Writers like PARTYNEXTDOOR, Bryson Tiller, and Drake made me fall in love with subtle songwriting. I’m also influenced by artists like Brent Faiyaz and Don Toliver for their melodic phrasing and unique tone.

  43. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  44. A: I specialize in writing emotionally sharp, memorable lyrics and top-lines that feel real — whether it’s R&B, hip-hop, or melodic trap. Clients usually come to me for verses and hooks that sound fresh but still cut deep.

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I was the Singer/songwriter in this production

Terms Of Service

I retain the right to include all work completed in my portfolio unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.
Turnaround time is typically 3-5 business days unless stated otherwise.

GenresSounds Like
  • Brent Faiyaz
  • Bryson Tiller
  • PARTYNEXTDOOR
Gear Highlights
  • Home studio with mic + DAW for demo-quality recording; Apple Logic Pro X; songwriting tools.
More Photos
SoundBetter Deal

First-time clients: 1 free revision on all songwriting packages