Dreams Really Exist with Dre Polo

Dre Polo just might be my favorite up-and-coming artist out of Phoenix. It’s his work ethic (9 projects in 11 years, check out 2023 drop No Sleep Til Billboard), approach to business (founder of his own company: DREAMS REALLY EXIST), and an energy that not only translates well musically but personally; he’s a nice, honest dude who you simply want to root for. Stylistically diverse, Dre can bar you and turn up, but my personal favorite is when he’s being reflective about his life and experiences; it’s diary-esque, and I very much believe him. Recently, I had a chance to chop it up with Dre for The Hype Magazine and the results were predictably dope:

With your Dad being a DJ, I know music has been a major part of your life since an early age, can you tell me more about that?

Yea most definitely! My pops was a well-known local DJ, hosting a lot of parties out here in Phoenix, Arizona & out there in Los Angeles, California. Growing up he would play a lot of music like old Motown music, ’80s, ’90s, & 2000s hip hop, and R&B. I would get inspired by my dad and uncles freestyling at the family bbq’s and from there, I knew I wanted to be a rapper. One of the best moments was when my dad got us a computer with dial-up internet, changed my life lol.

56k for the win lol. You said you started rhyming at 10. How early did you start recording, freestyling, perhaps battling, etc?

Back in 2001, I started a rap group with my sister and two cousins called D4. We would freestyle and perform cover songs live for our family at family gatherings. My sister and I would look for recording studios in the local phone book, but we couldn’t afford to record in an actual studio, so we used two boombox radios with blank cassette tapes and instrumental CDs. In high school( 2005-2009), I had 4 big freestyle battles that had the school lit back when Smack DVD first had the internet popping; no lie, I went 3-1 lol.

Smack still out here doing it for The Culture, gotta love it. Tell me about the Phoenix music scene. Highs, Lows, and Everything in between.

I feel like OutKast at the 1995 Source Awards “Phoenix got something to say”. Man, on God, it’s so much great talent here, but we get slept on because no one has actually made it to that level like Jay-z to Brooklyn or Drake to Toronto. Once we get through the “mainstream” door we’ll have that shine like every other city. Phoenix is the 5th largest city; there should be no reason why we haven’t cracked the industry yet but the time is coming. For every artist in the state KEEP GRINDING, GET YOUR KIDS!

Who are the biggest legends from and/or currently in the Phoenix Hip Hop since in your opinion?

This is a dope question! In my opinion, I feel like the biggest legends and currently popping artists from the Phoenix Hip-Hop scene are Willy Northpole, Richie Evans, MC Magic, Futuristic, Bookie, Trap House, Bag Of Tricks Cat, Mega Ran, Judge Da Boss, Murkemz, Delly Everyday, Alexcis, The Desert Baby, Sincerely Collins & Ali Tomineek. Those are artists I feel made some industry moves, & I promise we need more artists from the city to get industry exposure.

Shoutout Felix and Mega, good dudes for sure. If you could come in any era as an emcee, which one would you pick? Explain (It’s the ’90s for me hahah).

It would be the ’90s for me as well because the love for the culture was genuine. The music, fashion, & movies were way better in the 90s lol. At the same time I love being in this 2010/2020 era, we have more access & opportunities now. Youtube, Spotify, Instagram, & Tik Tok are game changers. Overall, I would’ve loved dropping music in the ’90s, but it’s just better now in the 2010/2020 era in my opinion.

More along those lines, tell me some pros and cons when it comes to making music today.

To me, the pros of making music today are the easy access to releasing music via Youtube & Spotify. We have more chances of going big time now that the internet has opened up a door for success. One con of making music nowadays is that consumers have short attention spans. I like to call this the microwave era, one day this is hot, next day that is hot. We don’t sit on albums for months/years like we used to. We’ll love this album this week and the next artist next week. My opinion for every artist is to stay consistent, nothing else matters.

This is so true. Gotta be dropping monthly. I can tell you keep your ear to everything as you blend a variety of influences pretty effortlessly. Tell me about your style as well as your biggest influences:

My dog, thank you, I appreciate that on God! To be honest, my style switches on every album lol. As I break down my style, I say it’s more of an east coast/west coast/ down south mixed in one vibe. My biggest influencers are Jay-z, Snoop Dogg, 2pac, Biggie, Nas, Eminem, Kanye West, Drake, Cam’ron, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Dom Kennedy, & Nipsey Hussle. They really inspired me to be a better rapper/ business owner and that’s all I play.

You’ve put out 9 projects which is A LOT. Describe your workflow/process and tell me which project is your favorite/why:

Yo, I actually dropped 9 projects in 11 years which still shocks me. My creative process is based on the vibes and emotions I’m going through at the time of making the project. It’s hard to choose between the 9, but I have my favorites. My favorite project is my first one BIG DREAMZ BRIGHT LIGHTZ because it was my very first mixtape. I just got off tour and decided to go independent. A lot of emotions were poured into that project and I was hella young, like 20 lol.

Another reflection of your work ethic is your business acumen. You rapped about having an LLC. Tell me how that’s helped your career and perhaps enlighten other upcoming artists about why that’s important for them too.

Yea most def! I’ve been independent since the summer of 2012 but didn’t have a record label name until 2019. I started my own LLC company called DREAMS REALLY EXIST LLC in 2019 and my goal is to get a distribution deal from a MAJOR RECORD LABEL. Having my own LLC really helps out as far as owning my masters, being in control of business, and creativity. I highly recommend/advise every artist to start their own company, that way you see all the success you deserve.

I love the message, my bro. In closing and in the name of pursuing these DREAMS, where is Dre Polo in 5 years and why?

Humbly, in 5 years, I see myself being a successful multi-platinum-selling artist. I see myself on FORBES! I see myself in movies on my 2pac vibe. I see myself investing in ventures outside of music. Overall, in the next 5 years, I see myself being successful and taking care of my family.

Like I said, this is a quality individual. Move with the movement and follow Dre Polo on Instagram.

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Tags: Dre Polo, Dreams Really Exist, Hype Magazine, Interview, MC Bravado, Phoenix

About the Author

MC Bravado MC Bravado is an emcee/educator from Baltimore by way of New York. He's received noteworthy press across mediums, including but not limited to Billboard, Rolling Stone, HipHopDX, CBS, FOX, ABC, SiriusXM Shade45, Okayplayer, DJBooth, HotNewHipHop, The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Magazine, Earmilk, and REVOLT TV. Performing alongside or collaborating with the likes of Bone Thugs, Scarface, Joell Ortiz, Statik Selektah, & MANY more, Bravado is a veteran presence.  No stranger to big stages (Warped Tour, A3C, SXSW), MC B is showing & proving his way to rarefied air. That being said, the former Baltimore city high school English teacher still keeps a leg in the classroom as program coordinator for nonprofit Music Education program Beats Not Bullets. He also co-owns Label Necklace, an independent record label that empowers & educates other creatives while running the label’s boutique PR branch.