Dallas Weekly’s newest segment, DW Underground, kicked off with an intimate interview between host Rea2Real and Grammy Award-winning country artist Pynk Beard. The sit-down took place just before his private listening party on April 17th at CoSign Studios, ahead of his scheduled appearance at the Rooted in Rhythm Festival in McKinney, Texas.
Thanks to a partnership with the nonprofit MillennialMaven, Dallas Weekly was granted exclusive access to speak with Pynk Beard about his musical journey, cultural roots, and the undeniable influence of Black artistry in country music. In the interview, he underscores the often-overlooked contributions of Black artists to the genre and calls for a broader cultural acknowledgment of those roots.
Pynk Beard’s journey to country music is a story of reinvention, resilience, and reclaiming cultural space. Before stepping into the spotlight as a solo country artist, he made waves in the music industry under the name Sebastian Cole, establishing himself as a Grammy Award-winning songwriter with a gift for raw, emotional storytelling. Born and raised in Alabama, his early influences included gospel, blues, and Southern soul — sounds that shaped his understanding of music as both testimony and truth.
As Sebastian Cole, he earned acclaim for writing songs that resonated across genres, penning chart-topping hits for major artists including Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, and Alessia Cara. His work on Cara’s “Scars to Your Beautiful” earned him a Grammy Award, cementing his place among music’s elite creatives. Yet despite his success in pop and R&B, Pynk Beard felt a deeper artistic calling — one that drew him back to the Southern storytelling traditions that had always lived within him.
Reintroducing himself to the world as Pynk Beard, he’s stepping into country music not as a visitor, but as a rightful heir. With his debut album Sugar & Salt, he blends country’s raw emotion with the richness of his lived experience — tackling themes of identity, love, struggle, and pride. The album serves as both a personal statement and a cultural challenge, reclaiming country music’s deep yet often unacknowledged Black roots.
Although the Rooted in Rhythm Festival — originally planned for Saturday at TUPPS Brewery — was postponed due to forecasted inclement weather, the private listening party drew fans both old and new. Guests were treated to a first listen of Pynk Beard’s highly anticipated debut album, Sugar & Salt, a project that blends Southern soul, country twang, and personal storytelling.
The DW Underground premiere sets the tone for a series dedicated to spotlighting unique voices, pushing culture forward, and celebrating authenticity in the arts.
Stay tuned for more underground gems only on DW Underground, powered by Dallas Weekly.