Indie Artist Q&A feat Deraj

CTRL Camp is proud to bring you a monthly discussion with independent artists that are dominating the music licensing world.

Sync licensing is a unique journey for everyone, so learning from multiple voices is key.

The more exposure you get to artists making a living in this space, the more insights and strategies you’ll gain for your own success.

This month , we bring you Deraj

Orlando-based artist Deraj is a creative chameleon whose gritty, confident, and genre-blending style defies traditional boundaries. With millions of streams to his name and a trail of high-profile sync placements—including Black Panther 2, Call of Duty, Fortnite, Apple, Dell, and the NFL—Deraj has proven his ability to craft music that’s both personal and universally resonant.

Deraj isn’t just an artist; he’s a multi-faceted creator who thrives in exploration and innovation. Starting as a nine-year-old writing raps for fun and evolving into a skilled artist/songwriter with a background in visual arts, Deraj’s journey spans music and storytelling with versatility at its core. His sound combines cinematic, high-energy hip-hop elements reminiscent of epic trailer scores while maintaining a modern, upbeat edge perfect for ads and campaigns.

Beyond music, Deraj founded See & Hear, his boutique music house specializing in sync for TV, film, ads, and games. He’s also the creator of Rep.indie, an online community helping independent artists monetize their music through brand partnerships—an extension of his passion for mentorship and creative collaboration.

With an ever-growing catalog, a vision that transcends genres, and countless industry milestones under his belt, Deraj has cemented himself as a force to watch. His sound is raw, confident, and undeniably unique—unpredictable yet unmistakably Deraj.