D Dot started off rapping with a childhood friend in high school talent shows. He knew early on that his dream was to become a hip hop artist. At the beginning of his career he flooded his tape collection with artists such as Boogie Down Productions, NWA, Naughty By Nature, and the Geto Boys. He picked up punchlines and metaphors from the East Coast Hip Hop scene but he fell in love with the production aspects of the West Coast Music that was emerging. Hailing from the Midwest, he decided that a mixture of both would be his niche.
After a 7 year bid with a local rap group, DVS Mindz, D Dot decided to pull off on his own. He spent countless nights perfecting his craft and how he would make and leave his mark on the world as a solo artist. His own style is self-labeled as "Grown Man Rap", a style that is not your run of the mill money, cars, and hoes, but a life with women, friends, family, and most importantly life where hip hop never gets recognition.
D Dot puts energy into his music in all aspects, especially his beats. Starting in the early 90's, he learned the basic and over a decade later has perfected his craft with the inspiration of industry names Kanye West, DJ Quik, The Neptunes, Dr. Dre, RZA, and Just Blaze. Having a complete package, production and lyrical talent, he started Etc. Entertainment, Inc. The name was derived from former rap alias, D.O.P.E. when he was with DVS Mindz. (D.O.P.E. = Dangerous On Paper & Etc.) The name he connected with but when he pushed his demo, record companies would chance marketing an artist named D.O.P.E. from unchartered territory. With the will to survive in the industry D.O.P.E. evolved into D Dot in hopes it would give him a chance companies were willing to take.
Street Credit. Very important. After opening for acts such as Busta Rhymes, Wu Tang, The Roots, Xzibit, Too Short, Digital Underground, and even old school icons The Sugar Hill Gang, he has earned his fair share of street cred. But the buck doesn't stop there. From doing shows from Atlanta to Oakland, he got the opportunity to work with Swizz Beatz, Jason Rome, Sam Sneed, and Ali, all major producers in the industry.
His solo debut "Dangerous On Paper & Etc. : The D.O.P.E. LP" hits the streets July 15th, 2005 featuring 17 tracks, 14 of which he prodoced. Again the vast content of his songs is on display with this LP, from club hits, "Move Something" and "Where My Mommies At?", to street anthems, "Send Shots" and "Hands Up", to the real life stories in, "One" and "No Different". This first taste of D Dot has a little something for everyone and will keep your head bobbing until he finishes his sophmore album "Beats, Rhymes, and Life Vol. 1" which he is in the studio putting together. D DOT also appears on a few mixtapes. "Dear Mr. A&R have you listened to my demo? Featuring Julez Santana and Young Jezzy. Also working with Dj Skee on the Mid-South mixtape. And due early 2006 with Miami's mixtape champ Dj 2NEN "Ready 2 Strike" Vol.8. Your'e sure to see more of this Mid-west artist all over the net, mixtapes and on radio soon to come
