We recently connected with Dope Diana and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Dope thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?
As to be expected, when I first started performing my music, I didn’t get paid for it. However, those shows played a vital role in my artistry. Without those performances, I wouldn’t have the support or experience that I have now. The first major show I can remember getting paid for was an indie show at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta, GA. I was one of 3 openers with 1 headliner. This show really revealed to me just how much I grew as an artist over time. And not just with my music, but in the way I connect to people who connect to me and my music. I was really proud of the amount of people I was able to get to come out to see me. And getting paid for that show felt life changing, even though it wasn’t much. It opened my mind up to more things I could cultivate on my own.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
My name is Dope Diana. I am a music artist from Lithonia, GA. My music is neosoul with Atlanta hiphop inspiration. My music is remnant of Lauryn Hill with the soulful vibes, relatable lyrics, and blend of rap and singing. My music is for regular human beings; people who love, people who hurt, people who make mistakes, people who are trying to make something out of whatever they have, and everyone in between. I communicate my art through personable lyrics over soulful r&b/hiphop beats. My mission in music is to inspire. I want to inspire people who think that they can’t achieve a dream they have. I also want people to not feel alone in the world. There’s so many instances where we as humans feel so alone, not knowing that there’s ton of people all around the world who feel exactly like you, but don’t express it. I just want to encourage people to not be afraid to be themselves and to know they can accomplish anything they wish to.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect would be when people tell me how much they connect to one of my songs. All of my songs started from a feeling. I’m a big feeling person, whether it’s vibes or intuition. We all know how we feel when we play that ONE song over and over again because we think it’s such a great song and you feel it so deeply. Now imagine someone feeling that way about a song you once made. It’s so beautiful seeing how different people relate to my music in their own way.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
The best thing you can do is simply interact with our content, however that’s possible for the art you are perceiving. If you hear a song and like it, tell others about it. If you see graffiti on the street or art at a show, post about it. If we post something and you like our artistry, repost it, or interact with it. Just spreading the word helps. You never know who you’re helping or motivating, or who you’re connecting simply from expressing that you like someone’s art.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dopediana.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_dopediana/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dopediana
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMpmIfQBeD4xkDZYNw7suEg
Image Credits
Maya Pratt Kodak K LexiMoon