Artist On The Rise: What initially inspired you to pursue a career in music and how did you get started in the industry?

Dontius:
 It’s my love for music, my love for R&B that inspired me, even the sounds that was able to touch my soul and make me want to make music, sing music and perform it. I started out doing talent shows at the age of 14 in Brooklyn, after winning, I took it serious. I submitted my music to The Rza and he put it in movies and we created an EP called the 14th in 2018.

Artist On The Rise: Can you describe your songwriting process? Do you have any specific rituals or routines that help you when creating music?

Dontius: Writing poems, playing the guitar and listening to the beat helps me manifest the song into reality. You gotta live life and have fun in order to express.

Artist On The Rise: Who are some of your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound and artistry?

Dontius: There’s so many musical influences, I can write a book on all of them lol but my main musical influence is my soul.

Artist On The Rise: What themes do you find yourself drawn to in your music and what messages do you hope to convey through your work?

Dontius: Life experiences, love, and winning in life is drawn to my music. The message will always come from within my soul through my work.
 
Artist On The Rise: Have you collaborated with other artists? If so, how did those experiences shape your musical style or approach?

Dontius: I did collaborate with upcoming artists behind scenes but haven’t made an official collaboration. I will get there.

Artist On The Rise: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your music career and how did you overcome them?

Dontius: My biggest challenge was finding myself of who I was, I had to do some serious soul searching. I prayed and kept working hard.
 
Artist On The Rise: How do you connect with your audience, both through your music and during live performances?

Dontius: I connect with my audience by prophesying my life within my music through Instagram, and during my live performances I feed off their energy and connect.

Artist On The Rise: How has your music evolved since you first started and where do you see your sound heading in the future?

Dontius: First I was playing around with different genres, as I evolve, I wanted more delivery within my soul through my songs. I see my sound spreading through the universe.

Artist On The Rise: What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry, especially regarding streaming and social media?

Dontius: For Independent artists, I think it’s easier to be seen, more freedom to do what you want and connect. It’s just that it’s sooo many music artists streaming and having social media presence that it’s questionable about the value of it all. Thank goodness the people that are signed to Record labels get that extra exposure and boost to stand out but they have to wait until the label gives them a go, which could take 3 years or more.

Artist On The Rise: Can you share any upcoming projects or releases you're working on? What can fans expect from you in the near future?

Dontius:
 I have the video for Inside you (Live) coming soon, that’s really all I can share for now.
 
They can expect me to connect with them from Instagram.

I’m here if you need me, Let’s win!!!
 

Welcome to SOUND ADVICE, Interview’s weekly space for playlists put together by artists, collaborators, and people from all corners of our circle. Over the past few weeks, we’ve highlighted selections from Zack Fox, Danny L Harle, and Mckayla Twiggs. This latest edition spotlights British French songwriter and producer Lauren Auder, who released her second album, “Whole World as Vigil,” just last week. Created alongside Dviance and Alex Parish, the project explores the emotional layers of human relationships, from the struggles to the moments of beauty. To celebrate the release, we invited Auder to curate a playlist for us and share a few personal insights along the way.

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Where do you dance? In the bedroom.

London or France? Unfair advantage for France, being a whole country. 

What song on this playlist is your guilty pleasure? I have no guilty pleasures!

What’s your favorite sound effect? Roblox “OOH” or Bathory’s horse neigh on their album Blood Fire Death.

Dream collab, dead or alive? Lou Reed, obviously.

Who do you trust most with the aux? My roommate, Cajm.

What do you pray about? More time, more rest.

Best arrondissement in Paris? 20th probably?

What song is currently on replay? “Close to the Edge” by Yes. 

What album was your coming-of-age soundtrack? Mysterious Phonk: Chronicles of SpaceGhostPurrp.

Tell us a secret. I cheated my way through Latin class in secondary school. 

Night or day? Day!

What is your studio session pet peeve? Weed smell :/

Which Skins character did you relate to the most? None, I’m 27!

What are you listening to as you complete this questionnaire? Space heater next to my bed, Italian lesson next door.

What does your notes app look like? Incriminating. 

You just arrived at the function. What are you drinking? What are you smoking? Cheap lager or expensive red wine, a Syrah if it’s winter. 

The world is ending. What are you wearing True religion jeans and a white button down, as per.

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