Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Mickey Mars
New Jersey native Dolo Tonight chatted with us about the message behind his song “Graduation” and coming out with his very own holiday cookbook.
When did creating music go from a hobby to something you could see yourself doing as a career?
Haha! It was a weird turning point. I randomly released a song after my ex broke up with me (pretty much talking about the whole experience) and then it started MOVING on Spotify—I was in class when it happened and I showed my professor and he was like “bro drop out and do music full time right now” I think I dropped out that afternoon hahahaha.
Your song “Zoom” garnered over a million views on YouTube and led to you getting a record deal. Looking back on that, how have you grown as an artist since the release of “Zoom?”
Oh man! Zoom! I saw “Zoom” as me still working on locking in the delivery I wanted for my next records—I didn’t expect anything to happen because of it. Once it started catching fire and garnering traction a couple labels reached out to me. I ended up working with the label that had the best fit for my music and the coolest team. I have totally grown since that release—-it was worked on probably a year before it hit the DSP’s and in that time I had so much room to level up my artistry.
Tell us about your latest song “Graduation” and what message you are hoping to send with this song?
Man that’s my story! It was about dropping out of college and following my dreams—-my message? Do whatever your heart tells you and work EVERY day on it—-it’s gonna work out.
You also released a holiday cookbook. What inspired you to create Dolo’s Tasty Tidbits and what’s one of your favorite recipes inside?
Yes yes yes! I actually went to college for Food Science before music—I love cooking and my dad is practically a gourmet chef so I’ve always enjoyed the kitchen- I took some of our family recipes and also fan submissions and created a humorous cookbook with stories attached to each recipe. My favorite recipe is Mac N Cheese because that’s also my favorite food!
You’re a New Jersey native (same here!) who are some NJ artists you’re inspired by?
New Jersey BABYYYY!!! Yo! I gotta say JonEcks – he’s a crazy producer and artist out of Clifton – there’s also Mia Gladstone she puts on CRAZY for NJ. 333Alek and CodeineCapo are also super hard! Can’t forget PlzMack. Everyone out from here has their own flavor.
What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?
Well — like—-I’m just a normal person who worked every day and didn’t give up—anyone who feels similarly about work ethic and dedication can “make it.” I don’t even know what “making it” is but all I can say is “make it” work! People are gonna get you down and trash you but will still buy tickets to your live shows so who’s winning? Hahahaha. Just work every day and always be on.
