Hackney songwriter, producer and talent developer Darren Martyn has spent two thirds of his life in music. Now he is publishing a book to share his expertise and experience

Darren Martyn grew up in Sloane House on Frampton Park Estate. His mother Diana raised him and his three siblings as a single parent and gave Martyn the space in the home to develop his musical talents.

“There was one point when she gave up her living room so I could set up a studio,” he says. Records and careers were born from 2 Sloane House including young rapper Fugative’s breaking record Summertime. Sadie Ama’s record Falling was written and recorded there and even Tinie Tempah came over to record some tracks and feature on Martyn’s own single My Girl. There was never a quiet moment when he was home.

“Growing up in hackney was fun and challenging at the same time,” says Martyn. “I mean you had to learn to grow up quickly, stay focused and make good decisions. Life could easily go the other way if your head wasn’t in the game. I met some life long friends growing up in Hackney and no matter where I live, when my feet touch down in Hackney I feel most at home.”

Martyn is now a multi-platinum selling songwriter, record producer, founder of development centre DM Unsigned, has topped the charts in Japan and Korea, and been involved in three MOBO nominated records including Sadie Ama’s Falling, Soundbwoy Ent’s Never Wanna Say and M.O’s Dance On My Own.

Now he adds author to the list with his new Guide for Artists, Songwriters and Producers.

“I hope for this book to become the artists’, songwriters’ and producers’ go-to guide and go on to become a bestseller. It’s all about steps. So the next step is to get all the people who need this book to get to know about it and then to achieve some living examples. One of my later steps is to get it translated.”

By this point, Martyn has spent more than two thirds of his life in the music business, so has a lot of knowledge to impart. From signing his first five year management deal with manager and mentor Delroy Murray at twelve years old, he went on to later sign two major music publishing deals with Warner Chappell Music and then Bucks Music Publishing.

Along his twenty-two year journey in the music business he has worked with many established artists such as Tinie Tempah, Union J, Luke Friend, Kele Le Roc, Shola Ama, to name a few.

He founded DM Unsigned is for unsigned artists looking to make a breakthrough in their career.

His 14 year old son Aaron, who spoke to the Gazette last year, looks to follow in his footsteps and has his EP ‘From the DM to the DM’ coming out this summer, and he’s worked with Eastenders actor Maisie Smith and winner of Kids Voice 2017 Jess Folley, as well as upcoming artists Mytton Sanneh, Lil H and Josh Vickz .

On the back of Darren’s journey he decided to write his book, which is dedicated to his mother who sadly passed away in November. The book was written to give artists, songwriters and producers strategies to move forward.

“I wanted to put all of my know how, all of the information I wish I had that I know now into one book so it can help the many,” says Martyn. “The book is a massive dedication and a legacy to my mother who helped guide me in a way that now I’m in a place to guide others.”

You can buy the book, Guide for Artists, Songwriters and Producers by Darren Martyn, on Amazon.