DAWGS DABATO BIO NARRATIVE BY BLACKLIGHT MANAGEMENT Where you from? Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, North Park-Big D. You’re the new kid on the block in Dallas when it comes to producing beats, how long has music been apart of your life? Music has been apart my life since I was 10, playing piano, and I can play any brass instrument. Not taking away from any other producer but I actually play instruments and you hear that in my music. I understand you come from a musical family-tell us about that. Yeah, everyone in family plays at least the piano. I just was the first person to take it a step further. How did you get started in the music business? I started engineering in a studio at first. Then I graduated and started producing. First artist you ever worked with in the studio? My boy Priest. How many albums have you produced or have had tracks appear on? I’ve worked with former Interscope artist JR Ewng, did a few tracks for Ole Mann who’s featured on Young Bleed’s new single, Mista’ Long, Priest, Johnnie Taylors grandson Verse, Tiffany Platinum, Money Waters, Poker Face and Young Crucial. In your opinion, greatest hip hop artist that ever lived? It’s not just one Pac’, Biggie and Face’. They had their own styles and took it to the next level for hip hop. What are some of your all time favorite records ever produced? Geto Boys, whole Death Row era, New Edition to Van Helen. It’s hard to pick just one because I like to listen to all types of music. I’m musical like that. What are you bringing new to the production game? Originality, I want to be instrumental in defining the Dallas sound. You feel me? Dallas doesn’t have or is not known for its own signature sound. Describe your sound. Ghetto Symphony. I’m real instrumental with a lot of pianos and strings mixed in with hard hitting beats. I like the feel my music when I hear it in the club. If it’s not bangin’ - it’s not right. First piece of equipment you ever got? Ahhh! An old Radio Shack Casio keyboard that somebody had thrown out on top of a trash bag. I took it home and plugged it in and it worked but it wouldn’t get loud. So I rigged it and hooked it up to a bigger system. What type of studio production set-up are you working with now? Proteus, Mo Phat, E-Mu XL7, and Nuendo for recording. I like to use equipment that nobody else is using. It’s not what you have it’s how you use it. How many tracks have you produced in your catalog to date? Some where close to 300 beats and steady counting. Hip hop is and was built off sampling music. Your music is sample free. How do you feel about sampling? I try not to sample. I prefer to compose my own music. It’s only so much you can do with a sample in my opinion. What is the next phase for hip hop coming from a producer’s point of view? New South. South artists bringing lyricism to the game. Who do you dream about being in a studio session with? Right now, probably Dre and I would have to add a few other peoples to the list like Timberland. Just to be able to absorb the techniques that they use while recording artists in the studio because Dre is an icon not just in hip hop but in music. Also, Dave “Hard Drive” the king of engineering people really don’t know about him but he’s responsible for a lot of boy-band hits. Houston got on first, will Dallas be next? Actually we’ve been on but artists have to leave and usually come back. But it’s definitely, our time to get are recognition. Will Dallas be apart of the Dirty South revolution? I think we will make our present felt as long as we stay focus and continue producing good music, not just dirty south. Any advice for starving artists? This business is about sacrifices. Keep polishing your game. It took me a minute for my music to catch up with my vision. To request a demo sampler, please contact Blacklight Management at 214.914.1046 or email blacklight@onebox.com.