We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Justin Dingman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Justin , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I always grew up as a child listening to music that my parents listened to, at home or in the car it was what they chose to listen to that I had to exposure to. But when I was 12 my older brother bought me my first rap cd and that opened my mind to a genre of music I never had been exposed to before. When that happened I became obsessed with everything about it from the way the music was composed to the words used to express each songs message. It made me wish I could do the same. So from then on I began writing rap lyrics and dreaming of making music.

Justin , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Justin Dingman but my music alias is Minus. I got my name from friends that knew me because they said I was always so negative.

My love for hip hop is what led me to making music but specifically other artist from the local music scene are responsible for how I became connected with recording studios, music venues, and other creatives in my area. This helped me get a footing in the music scene.

My main contribution that I make to the creative community is writing, recording, and distributing hip hop music. I’m on all major streaming platforms, and have made music with lots of other artist including some bigger names like Texas legend Z Ro, rap icon Royce Da 5’9”, as well as Kxng Crooked. I’ve also somehow gotten a song of mine listened to by Eminem which he said he enjoyed the song. I would say that feels like one of my biggest accomplishments to have my music recognized by such a big artist that I look up to.

I think what may set me apart in music is the pace of my lyrics, as well as the content of my music. I have a lot of music where I explore my personal faults and shortcomings rather than trying to embellish persona and ego.

Like any passion that you pursue in life, making music has many ups and downs and long stretches of time spent dedicated to perfecting the craft. Over time writing gets better, recording techniques change and improve based on figuring out your “style” or signature sound.
Also having to adapt for ever evolving trends in music will constantly have you pressing the limits of what you think is possible.

Really music has saved me and given me something to be passionate about in life and overall something to contribute to the world. If anything is my legacy music would be it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think a lot of people don’t understand all it takes to be a creative that makes music. No matter how seriously you take it others looking in will always see it as a hobby until you hit a certain threshold of success. There’s lots of time and resources thrown at anything thats creative while honing in on your skill set and establishing yourself into your field of creativity.

There’s also a ton of cost that come into play. Throughout the process of making a single song you spend money on production of the beat, studio time, mixing and mastering, getting the artwork made for the song, paying for the song to be distributed, videos for the song, then finally marketing the song after it’s been released.

All in all it’s something you have to be dedicated to time wise and financially.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I think my overall goal is to be heard. I want my music to reach as many people as possible. I’m not as interested in fame or recognition but I would love to be able to live off of making music. Even if it’s for a short amount of time just being able to say my music pays the bills would be a major goal met in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://MinusRAPS.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/officiallyminus
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/MinusTheInfamous
• Twitter: https://Twitter.com/officiallyminus
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@minus3410?si=rDGWiukJNvlLOLWE
• Other: Minus on Spotify
  

  Minus on Applemusic
  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/minus/4219250