FEATURE
DOLO TONIGHT INTERVIEW
New Jersey-native Dolo Tonight’s debut hit single ‘Too High’, which he collaborated with Grammy Award-winning mixer Michael Ashby (Cardi B), earned the 22-year-old rapper a spot as Spotify’s “Top 100 breaking Artists 2019”. His subsequent releases, infused with bright and melodic tones, ‘Pink Lemonade’ and ‘Blue’ cemented his spot as a prolific pop-rap artist.
Muzique Magazine had the pleasure of interviewing Dolo Tonight to find out more about his music process, his latest release ‘Graduation’ and his upcoming EP set to release next year.
You have a fun and vibrant image, to what do you accredit your sense of style?
Haha, my sense of style comes from my mom. She’s a fashionista for sure – also I really love pastel colors and the Korean fashion scene so you can catch me wearing all sorts of weird bright colors and unique pants.
What musical influences did you listen to growing up that helped to mold you into the artist you are today?
Man, I would say surprisingly people like Cage The Elephant and Kid Cudi as well as Chance The Rapper and Kanye. I also had a punk-pop phase where I loved A Day To Remember. It definitely changed how I look at music.
Can you explain your writing process?
Sure! It’s a lot of sitting in my room in the dark and just tapping into my feelings. Long car rides, traveling, absorbing what’s around me definitely comes into play. I like to take a look through a funny lens at the world and see what I can make a shake. Most of my songs end up happening as raw freestyles on the spot at the studio which we fine-tune into full tracks.
What are your greatest challenges as an artist, and what is your greatest attribute when it comes to your work ethic in the studio?
Ahhh, it’s hard to be comfortable with my delivery all the time – recently I’ve been taking the advice of my engineer and not hyper-focusing and just trying to let it flow out. It’s been working really well. I’m very detail-oriented especially down to the rasp on each syllable and inflections in using. Gotta nail that stuff of it won’t feel genuine.
Your latest single is ‘Graduation’, can you describe the song and its inspiration?
I dropped out of school to work on music full time—it was kind of wild and I made a song about it. I was inspired by my dreams and just the feeling to combat social norms.
Can you spill the beans on the upcoming studio EP? What can listeners expect?
Ahh yes! ‘Back To Earth’ is a trip into my world. It’s 6 songs and takes you through the whole idea behind how I was feeling for the 6 months when I made it. It came together really well – no skips haha. We worked with some really neat talents to make sure that every song was as unique as possible and also original in the context of the space we are making it.
What impression would you like listeners to be left with after hearing your music? what will people be able to say about you as an artist?
Hopefully, they feel at peace. Or they want to go tear the world up and just do what they love. I’m trying to use my story to inspire other people to perusing their dreams. People are going to say that I changed the sonic landscape – I’m making something nobody else made before. I want to be known as someone who pushed the sonic boundaries of today’s music.
What image do you think your music conveys and why did you choose this type of image for your music?
The image of my music is to spread positivity and tell people to be themselves. I’m very much woefully myself at all times and I think that reflects in my image.
What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
Stay out the way! Haha just kidding! I think as long as they just do their own thing and don’t try to be anyone, but themselves, their fans will like them for the music they make. We aren’t trying to chase trends here—always be making something that can last not just “moment music.”
How can potential fans find you?
I’m on all social platforms as @DoloTonight – People can also Google me and all of my links will pop up!
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