Today we’d like to introduce you to Donte Dodson.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I’m DonDrizzy & I’m a songwriter & artist from Independence, Missouri & I’ve been recording music since 2011 and signed/partnered with the music label Subliminal Music Group in 2018. I’ve always had a creative passion & drive my whole life. As a kid, I loved to write & create my own stories. I would go as far as using multiple folded pieces of paper to give it that feel of an actual book. Once I got into high school, I started to flirt with the idea of using my writing skills to create my songs and being influenced by artists like Wiz Khalifa, Drake, Russ, Chief Keef & even bands like Blink 182, Nirvana, Paramore & Third Eye Blind. I began writing my music & recording on an app called “The Booth” & then finally dropped my first song on SoundCloud in 2011-2012. From that point forward, my journey began as an artist. I was either recording myself or recording at local studios until 2018, when I met Smartalec on the track, A very talented Engineer and Producer/record label owner in the Kansas City area. We began to build & create music until we officially partnered up & I signed with Subliminal Music Group later in the same year & from there; we’ve been working & making nonstop. We were expanding our brands and building the Label with music, videos & more. Our most recent video was called “Empty” By me & artist Helsing. You can check that out on YouTube now. I dropped a 5 song EP last Valentine’s Day titled “Between Love & Lust” that people should check out. If you enjoy melodic raps mixed with R&B vibes, you’ll catch a vibe from it.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been plenty of struggles, especially being an Independent artist from Being screwed over/scammed by other artists/companies. Being Independent, you don’t get the big budgets or marketing dollars. All expenses are out of pocket, from studio equipment to ad campaigns & everything else in between. Finding out people you thought would support you don’t believe in your dream/vision or even laugh at the idea of it. There will always be struggles, but I know that comes with chasing a dream or vision. It’s never an easy road when you’re chasing something meaningful, but that’s part of the price of setting high expectations for yourself.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My music is genuine to me. It may not be for everybody, but for the people it is for, they will be able to connect with it & I truly believe that. I want the music to be the theme song in people’s lives. Music you can truly enjoy on a deeper level. I enjoy making melodic rap music with catchy melodies. I’ve also written alternative & pop-punk music, which I have enjoyed lately. I’m more of a feel-good type of artist when it comes to the music I like to make. The music you can dance to or cruise around late at night & vibe to. I make alot of love & heartbreak records as well. Unfortunately, I have plenty of experience in the field of failed relationships. But I’m also a hopeless romantic who still believes in love, so I like to express those emotions through music. One thing I’m proud of as an artist is getting my song “Sober” played on the radio in LA a few years back. I remember the station had it in rotation for a few months, so it got played a handful of times. To think a guy from Independence, Missouri, had a record on the radio out there was a super cool accomplishment for me. I even had some people from LA reach out & tell me they heard the song & loved it.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I played sports with my best friends growing up. One specifically was going to Florida to play in the Pop Warner championships. We all stayed at the Disney sports resort—some of the best times ever.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dondrizzy_/
- Youtube: DonDrizzy
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dondrizzy3
