Dillon: Rough, Rugged & Raw
Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Dillon?
6th grade dance. DJ was playing “Planet Rock” (by Soulsonic Force), and I LOST MY MIND! Initially wanted to breakdance. Too chubby. Got my 1st turntables and crate of records at 12 years old. Couldn’t afford to keep buying records, haha! Always was good at doing parody raps and songs in middle school on some Weird Al ish -I used to switch all the lyrics to be about food and make my classmates laugh, ha! So I ended up sticking with rapping. Didn’t take it super seriously until I got to college at University of Florida, and met like-minded individuals.
Now you’re a native of where exactly? And growing up there, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
Born in Ann Arbor, MI. We lived in Ypsilanti, MI, until 1989. I was six. I grew up in Jacksonville, FL, a.k.a. DUUUUUVAL COUNTY! I lived there til I was 17. I was def into the Miami Bass scene ‘cause that was the Florida sound, but I was also super into Tribe, De La, The Pharcyde, Hieroglyphics, Biggie and, of course, OutKast! My Pops had a great record collection, and played a lot of Genesis, Cream, King Crimson, Peter Gabriel and what not. So it was a mixed bag.
In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?
Classically trained Boom-Bap. I’m a student of the ‘90’s.
Where does your moniker originally derive from?
Not having a good marketing plan for the future. Ha! When I switched my name up to just ‘Dillon’ around 2006, I was trying to be rebellious against the music industry…but I wish I would have chosen something a little more google-able, lol! Streaming / algorithms / none of that existed at the time.
What particular string of events actually led to your initial linking up with Diamond D for this collaborative effort?
This is our second project together. The 1st being Black Tie Affair in 2017. I’ve been friends with Diam for well over a decade now. He used to work with a rap group I used to live with, Collective Efforts – and with him coming through the studio pretty often, we developed our own relationship and I began to do a lot of engineering work for him. I worked on The Diam Piece 1 & 2 + his album for Sadat X, and a handful of other projects.
Y’all’s latest single is entitled “Comin’ Out Swingin’,” feat. ELZhi — Talk to me about this particular composition?
Pretty straightforward; Diam is a boxing head and the beat is hella hype with those horns and thrashing guitar, so I just ran with the boxing theme. I feel like after droppin’ our 1st record a few years ago, I’m comin’ back and I’m comin’ out swingin’, ya dig? Shouts to eLZhi; absolutely destroyed it as always – he understood the assignment! One of my personal all-time favorite emcees. Salute!
“Comin’ Out Swingin’” comes courtesy of y’all’s brand new joint LP, Uncut Gems — What exactly prompted y’all’s decision to call the project this?
Shouts to DJ Kerosene, who helped guide the project and who came up with that name. Where our first project Black Tie Affair was a more polished production, I wanted this album to be a little more rough, rugged and raw. Some of the beats are 2-tracks straight out the beat machine – including a few long lost beats from the late ‘90’s / early 2000’s – it just made sense. It’s a bummer that the Adam Sandler joint came out though; it kinda takes the punch out of our SEO, but what can ya do?!? Lol! The name just felt right.
When you sit down to pen your rhymes where do you draw your inspiration from?
85% the beat, 10% my life, 5% whatever weed I’m smoking.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
Still trying to figure that out, ha! Hopefully something folks can relate to. Hopefully something folks can use to escape. Really I just make it to try and keep some semblance of sanity, so if anyone else can get anything from it that’s an added bonus! Ha!
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
It would probably have to be DOOM. He’s been my #1 since I 1st heard him, and I’ve always gravitated toward his whole aesthetic – raps and beats. I feel like we would smoke good and cook up something real villainous. I feel like DOOM would have appreciated my workhorse capabilities, and would appreciate the respect I have for the mask…and we would get on swimmingly.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?
Most definitely yes! We are in a prolific golden era of rap where literally you can find any style that suits your needs and taste. It’s an incredible time for Hip Hop. Just pay attention to what you’re into, and don’t waste time on what you’re not, ha!
What do you feel it is that’ll continue to sustain you in this industry?
Personally, I feel like I need to get on the road and perform live as much as possible, I feel like my live show – it’s one of the strengths That sets me apart. I just need more opportunities – or to make more!
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Big gardening dreams. Record shop / cafe owner.
What’s an average day like for you?
Up around 9 / 10. More stretching than before. Maybe some push-ups. French press of coffee. Make a smoothie. Some trees around 12. Doing work all day, whether handling email / mixing down a record / writing something new. Cook something crazy. Most nights I head off to a DJ gig. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…
Still trying to get some, hahaha! The fans I do have are more like friends who happen to dig the music. I’m very accessible and transparent with everyone I’ve come across over the years. I’ve been blessed to have received some incredible feedback and appreciation, and I truly enjoy striking a common ground with any and everyone over this music!
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
Best: getting to work with and be around my musical heroes, some of whom have even become my peers now. Teenage Dillon would geek out! Worst: no ways to measure growth or validation. At a regular job you get a pay raise or you earn tenure, or have job security – not here! I’m 20 years in and I still don’t know where I stand. Impostor syndrome for sure. You gotta have nerves of steel for this. I think mine are aluminum. Workinonit!
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
More grays. Longer hair. Deeper catalog. Same Dillon.
As for the immediate, what’s next for you, Dillon?
Focusing on growing the label, FULL PLATE. We have multiple releases in the chamber from The Smile Rays [Paten Locke x Batsauce x Lady Daisey], The Difference Machine, a Paten Locke x Edan 45, and my next 2 full length solo projects are wrapped up as well.
Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
My new album Uncut Gems, produced entirely by Diamond D is OUT NOW! It features Diamond, eLZhi, Ras Kass, Planet Asia, Stacy Epps and Slimkid3 of The Pharcyde. You can stream / buy vinyl and more here:
Dive into the catalog, and our incredible merch at: FullPlateFam.com. Please give us a follow on the socials: FB / TW / IG / YOUTUBE: @FullPlateFam, and def subscribe to our YouTube page as we have some crazy videos dropping for the project soon.
Any “parting” words for our readers?
Thank you for reading! Thank you for listening, and thank you for helping to preserve the culture. Keep bangin’! PEACE.
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