In a world where rumors travel fast and criticism often overshadows accomplishments, Dae Masson has chosen to answer negativity with results. Her latest single, “What They Gone Say,” is more than just a song—it’s a statement. A statement about perseverance. A statement about overcoming trauma. A statement about proving that success speaks louder than gossip.
As an award-winning recording artist, trauma nurse, CPR instructor, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, community leader, and single mother, Dae Masson has built a life that challenges stereotypes and inspires others to pursue their dreams regardless of their circumstances.
Her story is one of resilience, determination, and purpose.
Cleveland Made Her
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Dae Masson was introduced to music long before she ever stepped into a studio.
Her mother, known in the music industry as Grande Ouno, performed as part of the legendary all-female rap group Ladies of the Land. Watching her mother perform alongside respected Ohio artists such as Chevy Blue and Jigg Cicero left a lasting impression.
Those women showed Dae the power of unity, creativity, and female empowerment within hip-hop.
From childhood, she envisioned herself becoming an artist. Today, she is living the dream she imagined years ago.
But Cleveland shaped more than her musical aspirations.
“Cleveland is a city that’s like no other,” Dae explains. “You have to be strong, determined, and ready for anything.”
Throughout her life, she experienced tremendous loss, losing friends, producers, engineers, and people she built meaningful relationships with over the years.
She describes her relationship with Cleveland as bittersweet.
The city has given her opportunities, experiences, and inspiration. It has also brought pain and loss.
Yet she credits Cleveland for helping develop the toughness and adaptability that define her today.
More Than Music
While many artists focus exclusively on entertainment, Dae Masson has built an impressive healthcare career alongside her music journey.
She is:
- A Trauma Nurse
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Graduate
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Certified CPR Instructor
- Motivational Speaker
- Entrepreneur
- Community Advocate
- Single Mother
Her path into healthcare was inspired by her mother.
Growing up, Dae watched her mother attend nursing school while simultaneously raising children as a single parent.
When Dae turned 18, she enrolled in an LPN program while her mother attended an adult LPN program.
Together, mother and daughter graduated and earned their nursing credentials.
Later, Dae continued her education and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing while obtaining both her LPN and RN licenses.
As the oldest sister of three younger brothers, she developed a passion for helping people and creating safe spaces during life’s most vulnerable moments.
Today, that passion continues through her work in trauma care.
The Trauma Nurse Perspective
Working as a trauma nurse requires the ability to think quickly and perform under pressure.
Every shift can bring:
- Gunshot victims
- Stabbing victims
- Domestic violence cases
- Medical emergencies
- Life-threatening situations
“You never know what’s going to walk through the door,” Dae says.
The intensity of nursing has strengthened her ability to connect with people in every area of her life.
Whether she’s treating patients or performing on stage, she understands the importance of reading energy, adapting to situations, and creating genuine human connections.
Her healthcare experiences directly influence the authenticity found throughout her music.
Award-Winning Excellence
Dae Masson’s dedication has earned recognition throughout both Ohio and beyond.
Her accomplishments include:
- Renaissance Woman of the Year (2024)
- Ohio Entertainment Award Recipient
- Project of the Year Award Recipient
- Next Up Female Artist Recognition
- Numerous Award Nominations
- SXSW 2024 Headline Performer
- Featured on 95.9 Radio
- Continuous Radio Rotation on Z107.9 and other stations
- Industry Co-Sign from Rich Homie Quan’s DJ Fresh
Among all her achievements, one stands above the rest.
Winning the Renaissance Woman Award remains her proudest accomplishment because it recognizes not only her music career but also her impact as a nurse, businesswoman, mother, and community leader.
Everydae Talks: Healing Through Conversation
One of Dae’s most meaningful accomplishments is her creation of Everydae Talks Panel.
The initiative was designed to address trauma, inspire healing, and expose young people to positive role models.
Through Everydae Talks, Dae brings:
- Artists
- Entrepreneurs
- Public figures
- Community leaders
- Individuals with powerful life stories
into schools throughout the city.
The goal is simple:
Help young people understand that adversity does not have to define their future.
Through open discussions and personal storytelling, students gain valuable insights into overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities.
Dae created the program because she remembers what was missing during her own childhood.
“I remember not having a young Black woman come into my school and talk to me about success. I wanted to become the person I never had.”
Everydae Training: Saving Lives Through Education
What makes Everydae Talks unique is what happens after the discussions.
Students interested in learning practical life skills can enroll in Everydae Training, where Dae personally teaches CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification courses.
Participants have the opportunity to:
- Learn CPR
- Receive BLS training
- Earn CPR/BLS certification
- Develop emergency response skills
- Explore healthcare careers
By combining inspiration with education, Dae is helping empower young people with tools that can potentially save lives.
The Message Behind “What They Gone Say”
Dae’s latest single, “What They Gone Say,” was born from years of facing negativity, rumors, criticism, and adversity.
Rather than allowing those experiences to break her, she transformed them into motivation.
“Being positive and successful brings a lot of negativity and rumors,” she says.
The song challenges listeners to reconsider how they judge others.
It asks an important question:
What can they really say?
When someone has:
- Earned degrees
- Built a career
- Raised a family
- Created opportunities
- Helped a community
- Continued pursuing their dreams
what can criticism truly accomplish?
The song encourages self-reflection and reminds listeners to focus on their own growth instead of tearing others down.
Partnership with Fully Focused Entertainment
Another major milestone in Dae’s journey is her partnership with Fully Focused Entertainment, one of Ohio’s leading independent entertainment companies based in Cleveland.
The relationship extends beyond business.
Years ago, Dae organized a showcase that featured the late Von, son of Fully Focused Entertainment’s CEO. It was one of the last performances he participated in before his passing.
Over the years, Dae admired the organization’s commitment to family, community, and artist development.
What began as mutual respect evolved into a genuine relationship and eventually a business partnership.
“This partnership is beautiful and genuine,” Dae explains. “I believe it will come with many accomplishments and successes for both parties.”
Building a Legacy
Dae Masson represents a new generation of artists who refuse to be defined by one title.
She is:
- A Recording Artist
- A Nurse
- A Business Owner
- A Writer
- A Creative Director
- A Mother
- A Mentor
- A Community Leader
She writes her own music, helps write for other artists, creatively directs her visual content, and continues building businesses while maintaining a healthcare career.
For Dae, success has evolved over time.
Once, success meant financial stability.
Today, success means happiness, peace, purpose, and fulfillment.
Exclusive 20 Questions with Dae Masson
1. For those who are just discovering Dae Masson, who are you and what do you want people to know about your journey?
“I am a female artist and writer from Cleveland, Ohio. I’ve been making music all my life and was heavily influenced by watching my mother, whose artist name is Grande Ouno, perform in the all-female rap group Ladies of the Land. My music journey started as a child and has turned into exactly what I imagined.”
2. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, how did your environment influence your music and mindset?
“Cleveland made me strong, determined, and able to survive in any environment.”
3. You balance being a trauma nurse and a recording artist. How do those two worlds shape one another?
“Both careers require me to read energy, adapt quickly, and connect with people.”
4. What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing while also chasing your dreams in music?
“Watching my mother attend nursing school inspired me to pursue healthcare while continuing my passion for music.”
5. As a BSN graduate, trauma nurse, and CPR instructor, what motivates you to continue serving your community outside of music?
“I wanted to become the person I never had growing up.”
6. What inspired your latest single, ‘What They Gone Say’?
“I took all the trauma, abuse, negativity, and rumors and turned them into something positive.”
7. What do you hope listeners take away from the record?
“I hope people ask themselves what positive things someone is doing before speaking negatively about them.”
8. Have you personally experienced the criticism discussed in the song?
“Absolutely. From friends, family, relationships, and strangers.”
9. Which accomplishment means the most to you?
“The Renaissance Woman Award because it recognizes all aspects of my life.”
10. How did it feel to receive those awards?
“It made me feel like people were paying attention and that my hard work mattered.”
11. What did radio support and recognition mean to your career?
“It confirmed that I was doing something right.”
12. What obstacles have you faced as a female artist?
“Learning boundaries, leadership, and standing firm on what I believe.”
13. Who influenced your music most?
“My mother, Left Eye, Remy Ma, and Foxy Brown.”
14. How did the Fully Focused Entertainment partnership develop?
“It grew from mutual respect, family values, and a genuine relationship.”
15. What separates Dae Masson from other artists?
“I’m not just an artist. I’m a business owner, nurse, mother, writer, and creative director.”
16. What message do you share as a motivational speaker?
“Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s.”
17. How has your definition of success changed?
“Success now means happiness, not just money.”
18. What advice would you give young women?
“You can have stability, a career, and still chase your dreams.”
19. What can fans expect next?
“The highest level of Dae Masson they’ve ever seen.”
20. What do you want your legacy to be?
“I want people to remember that I created a lane for myself despite every obstacle.”
Bonus Question
What They Gone Say Now?
Dae’s answer:
“What can they say about a young Black girl from the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio, who earned her degree, built a career, raised a family, and continued making music that tells the beauty and struggles of where she’s from? What can they say about someone who beats the odds?”
Final Thoughts
Dae Masson is living proof that purpose, passion, and perseverance can coexist.
She has built a career that spans healthcare, entertainment, education, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. Through music, nursing, Everydae Talks, Everydae Training, and her partnership with Fully Focused Entertainment, she continues creating opportunities not only for herself but for countless others.
Her story isn’t simply about success.
It’s about impact.
And if her latest single asks the question, “What They Gone Say?”
Her life already provides the answer:
The work speaks for itself.
