Mistah Wilson: So we hear that you signed with
Suavehouse Records a few years back. How was
your transition from an independent artist to
being signed to a label?
DPone: I ended up getting a distribution deal but
the label went under due to things I can’t really
discuss. Now I’m an unsigned independent artist,
which gives me complete control of the direction
I feel is best for my career. It’s definitely
challenging and cutthroat, but the grind and
ability to fully exercise my talent is rewarding.
Mistah Wilson: Let’s talk about some of your
current and upcoming work. What’s your most
current work and what do you have coming up on
tha calendar?
DPone: Now that I’ve fulfilled my contractual
obligations in Austin, TX, moved back to Cali to
further my career, and successfully dropped “The
MAKEover” album on iTunes and Amazon, I’m
looking forward to releasing my current project,
“Big Body Musik” (Barz & Hookz)” mixtape this
summer. This mixtape will set the tone for me as
a veteran underground emcee and fans will notice
my growth as a man and a music artist.
Mistah Wilson: Are you rockin’ any shows right
now?
DPone: I’ll be performing this month on June
11th at the Blacklight District Lounge and on June
13th at the Kibitz Room. I’m also finalizing some
deals with a couple of clubs in the metro LA area
and will announce those performances on my
website and social media. So stay tuned.
Mistah Wilson: Who are some artists you’ve
worked with?
DPone: I’ve had the pleasure to work with Swizz
Beatz, Juice, Compton Menace, Ty Nitty,
Redrum, XL Middleton, Da Block, Big Doty,
Epik Da Dawn, and Sun. My plan is to maintain
those business relationships and work with them
on future projects.
Mistah Wilson: Tell me some artists you’d like to
work with…
DPone: Amongst others, I would love to work
with Ice Cube, Nas, The Lox, Bruno Mars, Mary
J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Fabolous, JayZ, E-40, and Daz & Kurupt. In all honesty, if the
song makes good business sense or has a
practical message, I’ll work with anyone.
Mistah Wilson: From your point of view, what’s your
take on tha current state of tha music business both
mainstream and local?
DPone: The current state of mainstream Hip-Hop has
changed. The image no longer consists of baggy clothes
or hot lyrics. Even TLC wore baggy pants back in the
day. Now I just call it the music industry. To me, the
majority of mainstream being played on the radio is not
Hip-Hop. It’s turn up or Hip-Pop music more than
anything. The music doesn’t represent Hip-Hop culture
and doesn’t require any skill. It’s your basic supply and
demand concept. If you have the right producer, anybody
can get coached and put out a club hit. Getti