As artists, we must always try to remain authentic. The best way to create original music is to use the inspirations and experiences we have and pour them into our sound. Our recent discovery Lonnie Dangerous has found a way to do this in many art forms.
We had a chance to catch up with the multi-talented artist to get a deeper look into his mind. Enjoy the interview here:
First off, tell us how you got the name Lonnie Dangerous?
I’m a multi-talented performer so in those industries, I could be considered dangerous to those who feel I’m competition. Very dedicated, also being a free thinker makes me Dangerous. Plus, it sounds a bit vintage Hollywood, and I’m an actor in Hollywood so it stuck. It’s a description of my style, I try to never play it safe.
How would you describe your sound?
I make “Muscle Car Music”. It’s smooth with the roughness or rough with the smoothness. I traveled around the U.S. as a kid and influenced by many regions and genres. I wanted to create a hodgepodge of these American sounds rooted in my experience. My motto is Dangerously timeless fun and evolution of culture.
What drives you to create original music?
I came from a ghetto and a broken home. I was abused, abandoned and neglected. I started making music as a way to express feelings I couldn’t talk to people about. To say things I couldn’t reveal in public. As I got older, I wanted to make music for the kids that were like me. Give them hope, and a break from the madness. Hopefully I can reach the unreachable before it’s too late. My heart is constantly making a beat, I’m just sharing my moment.
Which artists have had the biggest influence on you?
2pac, 50 cent, Jay z, Drake, also I’m looking to get into that James Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince, neo soul of hardcore hip-hop space. Grown man music.
How does a song come together for you? What is the songwriting process?
I try to set some time and focus on the feelings I want to capture. But I’ve learned many ways to arrive at the final product, sometimes I’ll get a beat from a producer and listen to what it’s saying to me then write, or I’ll have an idea and I’ll start building sounds. The most recent song I wrote is called “Keep Going Up” I had the beat from one of my co-producers Fat Rob, for a while. I kept thinking that I wanted to write something to it, restructured the beat, arranged the composition, wrote the chorus, verses, bridge and the coda, hit up a fellow rapper, Blackwaterkaos for a feature. Recorded my parts and then sent him the song to add his. I’ll be going back in the studio next week to clean it up to be mixed, then working on the next song.
Tell us about your latest single ‘Thinking About You”.
It’s about being in love. When you find yourself distracted by love. And all the wonderful things that go with that. And the wanting to be close to that person. It makes you act and say crazy things.
Share some advice for other artists trying to get noticed in the crowded indie scene?
You are a country of one, and your biggest export is you. Spend time finding who you are, and then express that. It’s you that is the one thing that separates you from everyone else. That’s what will get you noticed, we’ve never seen or heard another you before. Bring your beauty to the table, it’s time for something new.
Where will we see Lonnie Dangerous in the future?
I’m a rapper, actor, comedian, writer. You’re going to see me everywhere. I have Ambitionz Az A Writer – The Album coming soon, and soon as Hollywood reopens, I’ll be back to the silver screen or the silver stream, however they want to do it. I got big plans to be around for a long time and make a big impact.
Keep up with more Lonnie Dangerous HERE.
