PopCrush Presents: Dawin

Every week at PopCrush, we’re putting the spotlight on one up-and-coming act you need to know about. Why? So you can get on board early before everyone else and their mother jumps on the bandwagon…and so you can be that one friend in the group who’s always like, “Um, actually, I prefer their earlier work.”

Sweet stuff isn't everyone's taste, but when Dawin's "Dessert" was first served earlier this year, tongues seemed to universally approve, and the artist's flavor profile sang.

The Brooklyn-born 24-year-old first shot into viral fame with "Just Girly Things," which he originally introduced as a Vine video in 2014. He outfits party tunes with big beat drops and simple, catchy lyrics you'll find yourself mouthing until the keg's tapped and the return-route Ubers have been secured. "Dessert," which features "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" expert Silentó, proves the model works.

Dawin told PopCrush the song's playful lyrics ("They can imitate you / But they can't duplicate you / Cause you got something special / That makes me wanna taste you," are among them) can be interpreted a handful of ways.

"When I say 'something special' I'm referring to someone with an independent personality, free-spirited, and who has a sweet side that everyone wants a taste of," he said. "I just preferred to compress all of those terms into [dessert]. Depending on someone's preference, good dessert can range from apple pie to a twerk battle between two mascots."

(Yes, that happens in the video above—a poolside blowout that features a neighborhood ice cream truck and blow-up frosted pastries.)

Still, while Dawin's path is clear, his own taste in music runs the gamut, and he said he's into everyone from Ariana Grande—whose "Problem" he remixed last August—to 5 Seconds of Summer.

"Yeah, I initially became a fan as soon as I heard 'She Looks So Perfect' and simply because their music involves instruments, melodies and topics that are appealing to me," he noted. "One time I sung their song live and the crowd went nuts. I would love that crossover because they're talented and that would make the creation process very fun."

So what's up next for the vocalist/producer/player of many instruments? Well, he'd consider shelving the beat-drops for a second.

"It would be great to show the fans a more intimate stripped-down side to me, maybe just me and my guitar," he said. "Most people might not expect that from me."

Listen to "Dessert" above, and be sure to download Dawin's Dessert EP on iTunes!

Who would you like to see featured in PopCrush Presents next? Tweet us at @popcrush with your recommendations using #PopCrushPresents!