Interview: DANE – discusses new project, brand, travels & more!

DANE is an Ohio artist who has relocated to the state of Texas. He just released his first project and is planning on continuing to invade the music scene. Check the interview out below and learn more about him!

What’s good bruh, how you livin’?

I’ve been good homie. Makin music and startin a business.. I was happy you contacted me. It was only a matter of time before we linked up. I just needed to get my feet wet. I been following yalls movement. Shoutout to Elevated Livin!

So you seem fairly new to promoting your own music and establishing yourself as a brand but I know you’ve been rapping for awhile…when did you first start rapping? and when you actually start to take it serious?

The brand came prior to the music as sort of life style i wanted to embody. I started rapping about 4 years ago around the end of my enlistment. But it got serious when I moved to Austin.

I know you’ve been around the world…were you in the military? or a military kid?

Was was in the military, specifically the Air Force, for a long 3 years. I spent most of that time in Japan and Korea. Before enlisting at 19 I had already been a few places. My parents weren’t in the military, I figure they just wanted to see new things.

Where are you originally from?

OH! all day bro! We did move around alot. I was born in the ATL but, I spent the crucial years in Dayton. Between kindergarten and 4th grade. then my last 3 years of High School. But you know all about that.. Go Elks!

What made you settle down in Austin, TX?

I don’t like the term “settle down”. Opposite of what i’m tryna do.
I came out to Austin when Stephanie Elise, hit me up explaining her willingness to devote her life to our movement. She told me about the music vibe here and how its one of the fattest growing cities in the US. It was time to catch that wave. And I feel like we did! But the plan was not to stay. We will be hitting the road soon..

Define an UnderPaid Genius for me…

UnderPaid Genius is a mind-state. “All of our actions are more powerful than we believe.” or “All genius in underpaid.” Basically, your worth more than what you’ve been told.

Who does your team consist of?

Myself “the Face”.. Stephanie Elise the President of UnderPaid Genius Entertainment and my personal manager. My good friend John Vasquez in LA, is UPG’s Business Manager and Director of Merchandise. Our Graphic Designer, Dustin Smart, responsible for that light bulb you may have seen and the newest addition, Jared Luker, who will be joining the movement in just a couple days. Moving to Austin from Illinois. He is a musician/composer/and songwriter… so clutch.
(cool side note) We were all in the military.

Do you make beats as well?

I do! I started on FL studios around the same time the raps began in 2011. All the beats for Waitin on the 20, I made in Garage band. Now I’m wrapping my brain around Logic Pro. I’m excited for y’all to hear the growth.

Why did you choose ‘Waitin’ on the 20′ for the title of your last project?

20 is the bus route that stops at my apartment complex out here on Riverside. All the ideas for that tape were conceived waiting on that damn bus! LOL!

Describe the underground scene in Austin…

Though hip-hop is not the city’s favorite genre, the fact that it is the Live Music Capitol of the World makes it very easy for anyone to get on a stage. ATX Hip-Hop definitely has its on style with heavy influence from Houston. Lots of street art and most everyone smokes weed. The diversity of the population mixed with that southern hospitality makes for a very positive crowd, but that positivity will make anyone feel like they’re a super star.

Is ‘keep cognizant’ your motto?

Indeed! and track4 on “Waitin on the 20”.. Stay conscious. Always aware.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

You know, I could come up with a lot of scenarios, cause i get asked this a lot. But, most definitely in 5 years I will be one of many successful artist signed to UnderPaid Genius Entertainment.

Anything else you wanna tell the readers?

Go download my mixtape “Waitin on the 20” @SoundCloud.com and @DatPiff.com!! Subscribe to our YouTube channel UPGTV and be on the look out for the first single “I Swear” off of my next project Golden Glass & Graffitti.

Well I appreciate your time and keep grindin!!

I appreciate the love man and thank you to GoundSounds.com for putting me on. Keep Cognizant.