MusicsWeek: How did you get started in music?
Dontius: In 2016, I will never forget submitting my music to my cousin Rza randomly. He actually listened and paid attention to the songs I gave him through email. He had a movie and a record company he was just starting. Love Beats Rhymes was the movie, my first income check through royalties that I received I will never forget.
In 2018 I joined 36 Chambers and dropped The 14th EP. And had a big song hit called "Love You Down".
MusicsWeek: What inspired you to become a musician?
Dontius: The connection with sounds, the soul, was from birth. Singing Usher songs, R. Kelly songs, Chris Brown songs, old school R&B songs. Even listening to Mantras and the birds singing in the morning. Just moves me.
MusicsWeek: How do your personal experiences shape your music?
Dontius: Pain, pain is the ultimate teacher. The reality sets in from any struggles. It’s a choice to turn the struggle into Art. Same with love. Any love comes in, it’s a choice to turn that love to Art.
MusicsWeek: Have your influences changed over the years?
Dontius: Yeah. I’m a listener when it comes to hip-hop, I listen to a lot of rappers in my free time. Legendary hip hop songs, new hip hop songs, trap songs. Those vibes are needed. My default influence is Soul R&B, my soul is my influence.
MusicsWeek: How do you incorporate your cultural background into your music?
Dontius: My message, my accent. It comes out on its own. Melodies that flow.
MusicsWeek: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?
Dontius: I enjoy being with my wife to be honest, lol. I talk to her a lot and enjoy spending time with her. Then I’ll read, maybe exercise, learning different things.
MusicsWeek: What drives you to keep creating music even during challenging times?
Dontius: It’s Therapy, it’s not about the music at challenging times, It’s about feeding the sound in the recording, in the song. Just gotta feed it.
MusicsWeek: What’s your favorite part of the recording process?
Dontius: It's the moments man lol. Like it’s a get-together with a good amount of people having a good time, then everyone goes their separate ways then I’m by myself with the music and it’s just us me and the music, the love comes out recording through the mic. That’s the process.
MusicsWeek: Have you ever written a song that was difficult to record? If so, why?
Dontius: Yes, I expressed my feelings through writing to difficult music, a good amount sounded good recording, and some didn’t work. That’s just what it is.
MusicsWeek: What’s the most meaningful interaction you’ve had with a fan?
Dontius: The most meaningful interaction is taking pictures, pictures say more than a thousand words. A lot of love.
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