Three and a half months into 2024, and it already feels obvious that this year belongs to genre-fluid rockstar DE’WAYNE. On the heels of his Fearless Records debut single, “synthesizer,” which dropped earlier this week, DE’WAYNE and idobi Radio are elated to announce the return of his show, DE’WAYNE’s WORLD, which kicks off its second season on Tuesday, March 19 at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT with a podcast and full accompanying video of the episode to follow at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT.
Starting off season 2 strong, DE’WAYNE will be joined by songwriter Emma Rosen (Zoe Wees’ “Control”), who co-wrote “synthesizer” alongside De, Cody Dear, and Robbie Hiser. Ahead of season 2 commencing, idobi Radio had the chance to catch up with DE’WAYNE to chat about his new single, which you can read here, what fans have to look forward to across season 2 of DE’WAYNE’s WORLD, and more. After all—it’s DE’WAYNE’s WORLD, and we’re all just living in it.
As DE’WAYNE’s WORLD season 2 is about to premiere, tell me what motivated you to bring the show back after its successful first season concluded at the end of 2022.
It’s been a minute! I missed it because the first season showed me that talking to people is really fun and that I can get to be in a space where it’s not about me. I can bring on people that I respect and that I love, and I can ask questions that I want to know.
Maybe we were out one night drinking or in a studio or having fun, and they were talking about something. And I’m like, “I wish we were recording this right now. Even if I could use this for an interlude on my album or something like that.” [Laughs.] I admire the people that I brought back, and I just really enjoy conversations as I’m getting older, just being able to open up more and talk and look someone in their eyes and not be scared like the little boy that I used to be. So bringing it back, I think it was just nice ’cause it helps me grow to talk to people. I think that was a big reason, and I just really enjoyed it. I really do.
We talked previously about a lot of big changes that have happened in your life since the last time you and I spoke. Since the show concluded in November of 2022, what has changed in your life since then that you’ll be bringing to season 2?
Man, that’s a really good question. I mean, I think after we did the first season, I was listening to the episodes—I think we all are kind of obsessed with podcasts now, and there are some really strong ones out there. And I was learning to love myself more and being more confident, and I think I’m bringing that into it this second season and then just taking those conversations and being able to learn from them. I brought in a lot of my artist friends on season two as well, and people that I think are interesting. I just wanted to learn more and then inject that into my life.
Hopefully, we’re having conversations that push the boundaries. I want people to see a different side of me and a different side of the guests.
Let’s discuss some of those conversations. Are there any specific topics or themes you’re excited to explore in the upcoming episodes of DE’WAYNE’S WORLD?
Well, I definitely love everyone I had on. I asked them if they had a partner, and I brought a few of them on because I know that they did, and they have really nice partners that I love. I wanted to learn more about how they met. So a big part of it was definitely learning about their love lives. I’m very interested in and may sound weird, but it’s true.
Then I brought in a few homies who run a disco club. That was one of the most brilliant conversations I had. It’s A Club Called Rhonda, and it’s mostly LGBTQIA+. I had the best time of my life. Me and my partner went like three times and I was just moved by it. I was just completely intrigued and inspired by it and just seeing people be so free. These people have it figured out is how I really felt, and that was a really beautiful conversation.
I brought my friend, Colin Brittain on, who is one of the greatest rock producers that is out right now. I wanted to pick his brain. He’s like me in a way where he wakes up early and likes to run and then likes to get into the studio early to use that brain power. I’m interested in people who are successful and people who are going through what they’re going through. It was a lot of love and a lot of people that are in music that are doing things that I actually think are really awesome.
Can you give us any sneak peeks of guests who will join you during season 2?
I’m super excited for people to hear my conversation with Xavier Mayne. He’s really close homies with me and works super close with Chase Atlantic.
I’m excited for people to hear every episode, but I’ll say Edith [Victoria] from Meet Me @ The Altar. I brought them on for an amazing conversation. I got to learn a lot about how they grew up, and I didn’t know they grew up in church like I did. So that conversation went pretty long because we were like, “Oh, we both had parents who were pastors,” and then we ended up screaming. I just think that’s a very interesting thing. I know my mom is gonna hate to hear this, but we both agree that preachers and choir people are the best performers. They know how to get the people of God going.
That’s just an interesting thing. It’s kind of funny to me, even though I love God, whatever that may be for people. I just always find it funny that people who grew up in church are just like the nastiest and sexy and loving and destructive people. [Laughs.] I shouldn’t be laughing about that, but it’s interesting to me.
How do you envision DE’WAYNE’s WORLD connecting and building a community? It really feels like it’s DE’WAYNE’s world, and we’re all just living in it.
I feel like idobi has given me an opportunity to build more of a community which is freaking awesome! I really love looking people in the eyes and feeling like we’re on the same level. No matter what we’re bringing up, we’re bringing ourselves at the end of the day.
