From the gritty streets of Charlotte, North Carolina, to a path paved with purpose and sobriety, rising artist Dairius Alexander is carving his legacy through sound, soul, and substance. With the release of two emotionally charged singles—“2718” and “Poor Performance”—Alexander invites listeners into the intimate corners of his life, pulling back the curtain on the chaos, clarity, and transformation that have shaped his artistry.
The journey isn’t just musical—it’s personal. “2718” isn’t just a song title; it’s the number of his childhood home, the birthplace of his dreams, demons, and decisions. “It’s the beginning of it all,” Alexander shares. “The ups, downs, goods, and bads. The spoken definition of grass being greener on the other side.” The number holds weight beyond digits—it’s the cornerstone of a story that many artists only scratch the surface of telling. This track is gritty, sharp-edged, and unapologetically honest, a lyrical tribute to roots both broken and blooming.
On the flip side, “Poor Performance” takes a more reflective tone. “It’s an industry curve ball and a hard swing at it,” Alexander says. Where “2718” snarls with intensity and urgency, “Poor Performance” glides with ease, dissecting fame, illusion, and the haunting cost of chasing public perception over personal peace. “Watching the world and seeing that it all can be an illusion. The performance has been poor lately.” It’s a bold critique wrapped in buttery delivery—proof of Alexander’s range not only vocally, but thematically.
While these two tracks were not released together by design, their proximity reveals a powerful arc in Alexander’s life and career: the storm and the stillness. “2718 is rough with cutthroat lyricism,” he explains. “Poor Performance flows like butter. You can tell the calmness was unlocked after all the aftermath and sobriety.”
Sobriety plays a central role in this chapter of Dairius Alexander’s evolution—not just as an artist but as a man. Nearly two years clean, he’s not only reclaiming his voice, but learning how to wield it with sharper purpose. “Definitely a direction into sobriety,” he says. “Being almost two years sober is a high. This is a new me. Being able to set the stage energetically has its perks. It’s a flower in the ground that we’re watering. It'll be beautiful once it fully blossoms.”
Recording “2718” came with a deep emotional toll. “We actually recorded it on the property as it was falling apart,” he recalls. “Alcoholism had done its job and destroyed, but somehow we found ways to smile and get it done vocally. You can hear the terror in my voice. I wanted change.” It’s a moment few artists ever find themselves in—bearing their soul in the very ruins that built them. That authenticity isn’t just felt—it’s heard.
The fan response has been equally powerful. Both singles have resonated deeply, not because they follow trends, but because they shatter through the surface. “These records are tangible,” Alexander affirms. “People can relate. It’s something you can open your eyes to daily. Definitely not a needle in a haystack. These are life.”
For Dairius, “2718” holds a unique place in his heart. “It’s my baby,” he says proudly. “This is hometown love and spell. I don’t think I’ll ever create another record that’s this close to me. I painted a picture of my life then and a trajectory of where it could be going. It’s my stomping ground.” The track doesn’t just reflect a place, it embodies a time, a mood, and a spirit—a visceral memoir told in rhyme.
But don’t mistake the nostalgia of “2718” for staying in the past. Dairius Alexander is a man moving forward with intention. “Poor Performance” shows that growth. It’s more than a statement on the industry—it’s a glimpse into the clarity that sobriety has granted him. It’s the sound of a storm weathered, and the quiet after.
For first-time listeners, Alexander offers a promise and a warning: “Get ready to be hit with a vocal vacation into reality and substance. Some things may be delivered strong but it’s meant to be. I’m the ‘happy that you made it, but will navigate the direction soon as you let me’ dad.” There’s humor in his self-awareness, but also a sense of duty—he doesn’t just want to entertain you; he wants to guide you, challenge you, and leave you better than he found you.
With the groundwork laid by these two singles, it’s clear that Alexander is heading into a new phase—one marked by purpose, peace, and profound vulnerability. His pen is sharper, his vision clearer, and his energy more focused than ever before. Whether he’s looking back at the ashes of his childhood home or forward toward the future of his artistry, one thing is certain—Dairius Alexander is not just making music. He’s making meaning.
Keep your ears open. Something beautiful is blossoming.
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🎧 Stream “2718” and “Poor Performance” on all platforms now.