Darren Waller Discusses His Transition from NFL Star to Musician & Songwriter

Throughout life, often, when one door closes, another one opens, which is what recently happened to Darren Waller. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because you might know Waller from his previous career in the NFL. Playing for the Baltimore Ravens, Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants, Waller established himself as one of the game’s premier tight ends.

After announcing his retirement from football this past summer, Waller focused more directly on a new career as a musician. Music is literally in his blood; he is the great-grandson of composer and jazz pianist Fats Waller. Although he has only been officially out of football for a few months, Waller has really begun to expand his songwriting career. He previously released the four-track EP On Notice: Bag Talk. Then he recently released his new single “This Too Shall Pass,” a personal song of hope and resilience. After a difficult year, Waller wrote the song as a means of inspiration to those who are suffering. You can find the song on Waller’s new EP, Internal Warfare: This Too Shall Pass, released just last month. As a whole, the EP is meant to motivate and provide peace of mind to those who feel like they are struggling.

We are pleased to be joined today by Waller to get to know better the musician side of him. He discusses his creative process, working as a songwriter, his new EP, and more.

For those not familiar, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Darren Waller: “Most are familiar with me because I played in the NFL for eight years. I had a pretty wild journey, but I’m just a man on a spiritual journey. I’m a son of two amazing parents, a brother, and someone who’s growing in depth as I walk further along this recovery journey. I love consuming and creating music, spending time outdoors, having deep conversations with friends (or strangers), working out, reading, and smoking cigars, among many other things.”

How would you describe your music?

“I would describe my music as the complete human experience. I’ve lived a lot of life in my 32 years, and it comes out in my music. I have records where I love to get bars off and talk my shit, and then I have these deeper, more introspective tracks where I’m being really vulnerable. I’ve made songs talking about relationship struggles, and I’ve made songs that will help people through dark times that they don’t see a way out of. You never know where I’m going with my next release because I really don’t even know where I’m going myself. And that’s what makes this journey special.”

Darren Waller “This Too Shall Pass” single artwork

Tell us more about your creative process.

“My creative process is never one particular method. Most of my writing comes with me being by myself, sitting patiently with beats and crafting songs in solitude. But there are also instances where I’m in person with producers cooking up, and the right sound will have lyrics pouring out of me in a short amount of time. I try to just be in the moment and not force a particular process but, rather, let whatever is supposed to happen that day, happen.”

Tell us about your most recent release, Internal Warfare: This Too Shall Pass. What was your experience making it? What went on behind the scenes?

“I loved making this EP. I wrote all of it in complete solitude. Three of the four songs were made in the five days my engineer was staying with me and we recorded in my backyard (‘This Too Shall Pass,’ ‘Main Attraction,’ ‘100 Meters’). I wrote the song Internal Warfare in one three-hour sitting at the local cigar lounge I go to and then recorded it about a month later in Houston. That beat is unbelievable, and I wasn’t going to do anything else that day until I finished writing the whole thing. It’s still wild to me that I’m even doing this, but I know it’s what I’m supposed to be doing right now.”

What has been the most memorable moment of your music career so far?

“It’s weird to even think this is a career, to be honest. I think having three songs that I was a part of on the Madden video game was dope because I played that game all the time growing up. I have some features from artists I’ve always liked for upcoming tracks, but to be real, I’m so new to navigating this world, and I don’t even think my memorable moments have even taken place yet.”

What’s the best criticism you’ve ever received about your music or performance?

“An engineer I was working with briefly in Vegas gave me something that I feel has helped me elevate my sound. He said, ‘You have great beat selection, and you know how to write. The only thing you’re missing is the character behind what you’re saying.’ I knew exactly what he was saying. My mind went instantly to Kendrick (Lamar), who’s mastered character in all his different deliveries. You can feel the pain, energy, and confidence in whatever he’s delivering, and that’s something that I feel like I’ve started to make strides in 2024.”

Darren Waller, photo by ARod2Up

Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, or playing live?

“I hate picking favourites. Each part is so essential and comes with challenges that bring out the best in you. When you’re writing, that feeling of a seed being planted and watching an idea come to life is amazing. Every time I go to record, I’m met with a level of resistance (fear, self-doubt, overthinking) that, once I push through, provides a pathway to satisfaction once I hear a completed work.

“I haven’t even performed live much, but I’ve had damn near an out-of-body experience every time I’ve performed, so I couldn’t pick between the three if my life depended on it.”

What is your writing process like?

“I like to do most of my writing alone, but I do love a changeup and cooking things from scratch with producers in person. Contrary to most artists, I don’t write all the time. I’m always listening to beats, but I believe that most of my time should be spent living so that I have something to write about. When I come across a beat or a sound that moves me, things just happen. It’s like I’m channelling something that is greater and more vast than me. I’ll hum or mumble cadences and melodies until words start to form in alignment with them.

“Oh, and I love doing hooks! That pretty much always comes first. I’m most effective at writing when my inner world is free of distractions, negative perspectives, and expectations.”

What are you still trying to figure out?

“Life (laughs). So much drastic change has taken place in my life in this past year. I’m realizing that when I trust that God has always been working things for my good, I can relax into the moment more and know that I don’t have to rush or force anything. I’m right where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. I am trying to be ok with that amidst all the future uncertainty.”

Do you have anything you’d like to tell any fans reading right now?

“Thank you for coming on this journey with me as I continue to work toward finding my true purpose in the world. I had no idea that this is what I’d be doing, but I’m trying to make sense of this life journey right beside you. I don’t know what’s in store for this chapter, but I do know that we’re going to grow, laugh, cry, and turn up together. Can’t wait to see y’all face to face!”

What’s next for you?

“I have no fucking clue (laughs). But I know that my best days are still ahead of me. I plan on travelling a lot more. And I love speaking and sharing my journey so I want to do that a lot more. I think I have a couple of books in me. I guess we’ll find out!”