Dolla Interview

Interview by: Eavvon O'Neal

Dolla, the newest addition to Hip-hop by way of Atlanta, is doing an excellent job of turning hype into artistic capital. Its odd when watching something that seems like propagated attention, fueled by celebrity well wishing turns out to be genuine acclaim for a talented musician. Such is the case of Dolla. Thanks to the added power of Akon and current Billboard giant T-Pain, the duty of living up to the hype won't be as difficult as it has been for others. After returning to the Zomba offices from his first hosting of BET's Rap City, the 20 year old Roderick Anthony Burton II aka Dolla, spoke with the excited tone of a new comer, but held an air of experience in each statement. His story is quickly becoming the romanticized tale of how hip-hop can help to rebuild culture, contrary to all of the negative attention it often receives, and he is utilizing this to help speak to those moved by his music.



Nobodysmiling.com : You are working with pretty big names including T-Pain, Akon, and Jazze Phae, at an early stage in your career. How do you think this will affect you on future projects?

Dolla : It can only help with the rest of my career, you know. I'm blessed to work with these people, and the rest of my career can only benefit from it. Still, I chose to work with these people because I respect them for their talent, not because of their name. If I thought they had skills, but no one really knew them yet, I'd still work with them. I got Julian Bunetta [who produced "Loud Mouth"], who no one has really head of yet, but is a real talented dude; that's the kinda people I want round me.

Nobodysmiling.com : Doing this album without any guest appearances is a bold move for your first release. Did you have to do any convincing to get it to happen, or did you have full label support of this decision?

Dolla : They are supportive because they trust my talent. I'm doing those whole project myself because its my message, and i have a talent that I'm willing to show. I don't think it will be a blow to my career, because it will show my versatility. I have talent, and I'm willing to let it show.

Nobodysmiling.com : A lot of experiences and elements are expressed on this album. Is any one thing more influential than the other, or do you pull from them all equally?

Dolla : All of them are important as inspiration. My life is inspiration, and art reflects life. If I wake up and feel good and the sun is shining, then I'm gonna make one of those good songs, and if I feel dark, then it might be a dark joint. When you put the beat, the beat is gonna tell you what kind of song to make.

Nobodysmiling.com : You Got major exposure modeling for Sean John. Is it tough juggling your music with your modeling career?

Dolla : Modeling was just something I did, it ain't an on going thing. To be completely honest. I hate taking pictures. Its the most boring shit ever. I mean, I might do it again, but its just not really where my head is at. I rap. Anything else isn't as important as my rap career.

Nobodysmiling.com : Which track is your favorite off of A Dolla And A Dream, and why?

Dolla : I love every track because it contains a different part of me, its a different substance and content. "1125" is probably my favorite though. It's about my twin, and just feels natural- inhale, exhale kind of deal. That one is the closest to me right now...
Nobodysmiling.com : What kind of advice are you getting from the people you are working with in regards to surviving the industry?

Dolla : Man, I'm getting good advice from my people. They're telling me to just be me and relax. You would catch me pacing the floor because I'm so nervous, but they all tell me to stay focused and humble and just to keep working hard, and things will work out. And I trust what they say.

Nobodysmiling.com : For those people who can relate directly to your lyrics and past, if not all of your experiences, what advice do you have in regards to coping with it all?

Dolla : I get asked this question a lot, and all I can ever really say is you gotta vibe with God, or whoever or whatever you believe in. Anything you can believe in is a good thing, and use that plus others positive experiences to get through it cuz those things help you get through it all. Of course I can say my family and friends, but that all ties back into God. So you just gotta believe.

Nobodysmiling.com : Is this album going to be more serious or is it a balance? How do you plan on pulling off a balance without creating a forced feeling?

Dolla : It's a balance, because I am about balance. I have songs talking about everything I go through, its almost like a movie. Movies aren't ever just one aspect, they have all elements of life, just like us. So there's gonna be some action, and there's gonna be party joints and comedy, and there is gonna be some real serious drama. A great movie.

Nobodysmiling.com : Who are your influences musically, and could you ever see yourself moving into their positions in the game?

Dolla : Of course the greats: Biggie, Tupac, Andre 3000- He is my favorite of all time. Then there is Akon and T-Pain, they have such a fantastic business sense. Of course there is Jay & Puffy. I could see myself in those spots, cuz if I don't on one else will. It's like they said, hows it go? "If you build it, they will come". I'm in that -"If you build it, they will come" mindset.