Interview with Dolla Black of BDE Music Group
On April 30, 2020, Dolla Black released his fourth single of this year called SAY MY NAME. This comes after his long hiatus from the music scene, where he took a break to focus more on the business aspect of things. He is now on his first tour (although on pause because of COVID19) #TheRebirthTour2020. Now before we get into the interview, you know we got to storytell, so let get into it!
So BOOM! Fall 2006, freshman year at Tougaloo College, the confused students walk into a dusty classroom that felt very basement like. After adjusting to Renner Hall, the shit wasn’t so bad, the idea of luxury was out the door and the mindset of innovation was setting in. Like most HBCUs, you create your own fun where infinite freedom and pride is found on your yard. Almost 15 years later, I’m finding appreciation in the very first assignment Dr. Woods gave to his African American History class.
WHATS IN A NAME? is an article written in Ebony Magazine in November 1967 by Lerone Bennett Jr. When the class was assigned this reading, we weren’t catered to, it was our responsibility to go to the library, search for the article, and either read it there or print copies. I printed copies and I still have mine. This was a set up. He knew our young asses would not take his instructions serious so he politely kicked us out of his class and we returned prepared and most of all KNOWING HIS NAME. Now let’s get into the interview with Dolla Black to discuss his single SAY MY NAME and why is it called that exactly!
SIKA: WHAT IS THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THE RECORD?
DOLLA: Coke Bumaye and his analogy to a levee breaking sparked the entire creation by encouraging me to put more confidence in my music, but not just believing it, actually delivering it.
Dolla Black spoke on the panel at the ‘State of The Creative’ event with Sipp Talk at The Murals in 2019 and Coke Bumaye pulled him to the side to commend his leadership and visionary ways with his team building skills and growth with BDE Music Group but he furthered expressed that the fans aka audience deserved to hear more of Dolla Black and Dolla needs to POP HIS SHIT! The conversation of the levee is simple. If Dolla breaks the levee, it’s only going to be a natural flow for the rest to follow. In true leadership form, one clears the path to make things easier for those coming behind.
SIKA: WHAT INSPIRED THE NAME OF THE RECORD?
DOLLA: I feel like I’m one of the greatest performers out of the state of Mississippi. The hook gives an aggressive element. Bruce Leroy’s Sho Nuff inspires the ‘If You Will’ portion of the hook, which ends with a chant. I’ve envisioned that chant, so it’s only right I called it SAY MY NAME.
SIKA: HOW DID THE RECORD WITH TITO LOPEZ HAPPEN?
DOLLA: I have been sitting on that song since 2015. It was the first song I recorded in my first studio. The track only had me on it but I sent it to Tito and his mastered it. Once I heard harmonies, I added my wife’s flavor and I just released in March 2020 to remove the mental block of the right time to drop music. People are leaving everyday and I have great music. If I leave earth sooner than expected, I do not want to be regarded as a could have been because I never released music.
SIKA: IS THAT WHY YOU HAVE RELEASED A SINGLE EVERY MONTH OF 2020?
DOLLA: Yes! In most previous years I have been more focused on the business aspect of music, which put my artistry on the back burner. My consistency in pushing is a constant reminder that the artist DOLLA BLACK is STILL HERE and STILL BLACK.
SIKA: WHAT DO YOU WANT THE AUDIENCE TO TAKE FROM SAY MY NAME?
DOLLA: Consistency is key. This song is to let the people know that I AM HERE! I AM BACK! And all that you have gotten from me this year is a set up for something greater in the plans! Tell everybody that I’m only getting better and I’m not going nowhere.
BlackWithNoChaserME is dedicated to telling the stories of artist, no matter how big or small the impact may seem, the impact is extreme in our eyes and we appreciate all artist. With Mississippi being the birthplace of music, it’s ironic that Mississippi is the hardest place for an artist to BLOW. So anytime an artist may take the time to focus on other areas of their life, outside of the music, people assume they have called it quits. Once an artist, always an artist. There is no expiration date of artist nor artistry and more importantly, there is an even greater importance in the name!
Noxolo Ent presents SAY MY NAME by Dolla Black of BDE MUSIC GROUP! The song speaks for itself and now available on all streaming platforms! You can follow Dolla Black on Facebook at Dolla Black and Instagram @dolla.black and his find his site via http://www.noxoloent.com! Enjoy!
