(Photo Credit: Mickey Mars)
Hey Dolo! So excited to be chatting with you! You just released your new single “Graduation”! How excited are you that this song is finally out into the world?
Dude! IM PUMPED! It’s finally here—all I can ask is that my music gets out and reaches people and that’s exactly what I received with this one. It’s my whole story in one song.
What do you hope your supporters will think of the new song?
Hahaha. I hope they love me for who I am! And this song is so me! So I hope they can connect with my journey and see a little more of the picture we are creating.
Can you tell us the backstory of this song? Is it from a real experience?
It’s as real as it gets! I dropped out of music school to do music full time (at the advice of my professors) and then I went through a journey finding myself through music and never made it to my graduation. It really happened hahahah. It’s probably my most real song to date.
You also have more music coming out in 2021!! Can you spill any details on what your supporters can look forward to from you next year?!?
Spilling! Yo—-we got so much stuff coming it’s insane—world records, music videos, vlogs, an animated miniseries, cool interviews like this, it’s gonna be insane!
Do you have a creative say in your music? Did you help write all your new songs?
Hahaha of course! I hope everyone has a creative say in their music! I wrote every song myself but that’s not to discredit the dope producers and my engineer who helped me make this real. Everyone added their spices to the pot. My music is a collaboration but at the end of the day when the lights are off it’s just me in my room writing songs. Nobody can take that from me.
What’s it feel like to be releasing your own original music?
It feels organic and freeing. It’s a part of me that I’m putting out into the world so I guess it feels like me haha.
Where did your love of music come from?
I got bit by the music bug when I was super young. I got my first drum set and from there on it was impossible to stop creating. I started rapping when I was probably somewhere around 11 and singing came shortly after.
Will there be a music video for your new single? If so, can you tell us about the concept of the video.
Oooooh yeah! We have visuals for days—-this next single “Higher” is about experiencing life through extremes—emotionally or physically—-we went up 15,000 feet to film it as the Highest Altitude Music Video in the Western Hemisphere. There’s also some surreal Hot Air Balloon and Skydiving shots in there too. Craziest thing is I’m deathly afraid of heights so it was gnarly to film haha. I’m also putting together a short film which is based on the memories that inspired the track—I don’t even know if there’s going to be much audio—I think a visual representation is the best way to go.
What’s been the pros and cons of pursuing your music career?
Pros—I get to create whatever world I want, nothing is impossible, meeting dope people, creating with friends—just waking up and doing music is a pro. I also love working with my team they have such a dope mindset.
Cons- hahahaha oh man…never sleeping—deadlines—constant communication— having to deal with the feeling that some things just don’t work out the way you want them to and then trying to problem solve when it hits the fan—-I’m here for it that’s kind of the fun part!
Is there anyone you want to thank that’s helped you get to where you are today?
Haha I think if I named everyone it would take forever but—-let’s start with my family and friends—they crush for me as far as support goes. Now on the creative side—my producers, specifically JonEcks and Austin Marc as well as Aruu and Dave Hirsh—can’t forget my visual friends Kayo Genesis and Mickey Mars, my engineer Ashby—-hahha this feels like a Grammy speech when is the guy gonna kick me off?!—- Michael Ashby is an amazing engineer and producer who touches all of my records before they see the light of day. Shoutout to my A&R Cody Patrick as well for discovering and believing in me to bless me with an opportunity for growth.
What do you think makes your fan community/fandom different from others?
Bro. We are the coolest around—we all are here for each other and nobody is a mean person—-and I think the constant communication I have with my fans and the ability for them to hit me up at 4 a.m and I’ll answer them is neat too! I’m here for them the same way they’re here for me.
How would you describe your fans? – what’s three words you would use to describe your fans?
Weird, Misunderstood, Loving—-can I do 4?… under appreciated.
What do you want your message to be towards your fans? What do you want your fans to take away from your music and shows?
It’s really up to them—however they connect with my music I’m happy to hear—I really have no expectations besides making them feel at home and that they can enjoy themselves and be normal in front of me. At my shows they better get wild though that’s the time to turn up. And don’t be afraid to sing along! I love that!
Are you planning any IG Live shows to promote your new music?
I’m sure! We have some things in the works!
What is it like performing in front of your fans? Are you excited to start performing your own music live!?!
I mean—it’s the best part of this whole thing. The fact that random ppl know an my songs and have memories associated with them is insane. We’re in the business of building memories not selling music. Performing has always been my passion so when it’s time to rock out I’m all in. I’m super excited to get out there more and more and spread the vibes.
What do you want your supporters to know that you think is important?
Well, I think we gotta all keep our heads up—2021 can be dope if we let go a little and stop stressing about the small stuff. It’s one big journey.
What’s something your fans don’t know about you?
Haha — I guess they don’t know how much goes behind the scenes before something hits their ears—a lot of fans don’t get that this is a WHOLE operation.
What’s one word you would use to describe what your fans have allowed you to accomplish?
Mac N Cheese! We somehow got me sponsored by Mac N Cheese through going insane and emailing Nestle hahaha.
What do your fans call themselves? And How did that fanbase name catch on?
I’ve heard Dolo Nation, Dolo Army, Dolo Gang, I’ve heard things that have nothing to do with Dolo at all. I wish I knew how it caught on hahaha I think it’s just an organic thing—I don’t get to decide what they call me.
Many of your supporters are starstruck when they meet you! Have you ever been starstruck?
Yo I bumped into a fan at the airport who recognized me—I was more starstruck than he was—-I had to immediately go to the bathroom haha. I called my homies freaking out—-it’s insane to reach people who you don’t know personally and then have them know your face.
What do you want your fans to know if they ever see you in public?
Run up and talk to me! Or walk up! But definitely talk to me!! I’d love to hear feedback from my supporters. I’m around for it so don’t be embarrassed!
Is there anyone in the music business you are dying to meet?
The list goes on and on—-I don’t wanna jinx it so I’m not gonna say anything right now cause who knows!
What’s your current go-to song?
I play all my friends music—right now it’s this song “Waiting” by Roe Kapara. He’s a good friend and incredibly talented. His songwriting is next level inspiring.
Why do you think social media is so important for artists like yourself?
It’s a place to reach out and connect. Without it—I don’t know where this music journey would take me. It’s like a hub at a subway station. Everyone can check in on who they want to see and go where they want to go.
What would you say is your biggest dream/goal right now?
Level up! That’s it. Just expand and get better. I wanna spread this message and get to be the best I can be as an artist so more and more people can hear what I have to say!
Any last things you want to tell your supporters?
It’s all love! Stay tuned in and hit me up if you wanna talk! @dolotonight
