1. What makes Don Dodds a revolutionary messenger in the
world of Christian hip-hop?
A revolutionary is someone who supports abrupt, rapid, and drastic change,
while a reformist is someone who supports more gradual and incremental change.
A reactionary is someone who opposes all such changes.
I am in support of rapid change from the denigration and degradation of women,
self hatred and violence in the culture
of hip hop. I support not just talking the talk but also walking the walk with God. I support
merging praise and worship with hip hop and embracing a variety of musical styles. My thought is that if you want people to say no to something
then it's necessary to present a good alternative for them to say yes
to. My mission is to inspire, entertain and save souls.
2. Who has most influenced your style and taste in music? Are there
any influences from other genres of music on this album?
My taste in music is pretty broad. I like everything from hip hop to gospel,
from calypso and rock to country. Bob Marley (he is a west indian legend),
Toby Mac (music and diversity), Kirk Franklin (music and showmanship), Tupac (his passion) and my brother Scorpio, who is an incredible
producer, are among my biggest influences. The album has hip hop, rock, calypso, reggae and a
broad array of contemporary Christian influences.
3. Do you write your own lyrics? How much of your music is inspired
by personal testimony?
Yes I write all my material. For me the experience is not a forced one. Each
song was inspired by either a message I got from my pastor on Sunday, my own
life experience or the experiences of what I see or hear as I live life interacting
with others.
4. In a lyrical sense, how does your music push the envelope? Can you
provide some examples?
Lyrically my goal isn't to necessarily push the envelope. My mission is to
help fulfill the great commission. Lyrically I like to tell stories of the everyday
people with everyday challenges and present solutions to problems based on God's
word. One of my favorites on the album is a song called Born Again which is
a great example of that. It is actually my testimony and a call to create a
Born Again movement.
5. Considering your highly successful business career, what led you
to step aside and work on this particular project?
I knew that God was calling me to do something out of my comfort zone as it
relates to ministry, but I didn't know what until God gave the vision. On December
6th, 2008 at 3:00 a.m. I got the vision after being consumed with one story
after another in the news and watching my neighbors lose their homes and my
business become a victim of financial fraud. The vision was simply to spread the word of God about
being thankful to God for what we have. I woke up the next day and started writing.
The following week the first song was completed and the project began to unfold.
6. Is the content of the album catered strictly towards teens and young
adults?
Not at all. The content is about the goodness and mercy of God and how we should
honor him and what we must do to have a relationship with him. The content is
for everyone, but I am certainly targeting an audience who likes contemporary
Christian music with hip hop influences and anyone who is looking for and/or
needs to hear God's message.
7. Do you feel your music has the appeal to engage the demographic
that typically supports secular hip-hop?
Sure I think the music will appeal to the secular hip hop audience. I'm certain
that is what God called me to do. My job is to deliver the message and I trust
that God will do what he does best. I've been successful in many business ventures
not because I am a genius but because when I get the vision I do my part and
God opens the doors, windows and the roof to do his part.
8. How do you define success? Because you are foremost a family man
do you feel that there is a specific formula to maintaining a successful lifestyle?
Success for me is defined as the balance between 6 key areas of ones life.
Faith, family, fellowship, physical fitness, financial fitness and fun. The
formula I use is a 6 letter word PRAYER. I use it literally and figuratively
as my formula. Figuratively I use it as an acronym to mean positivity, resolve,
action, you, excellence and relationships.
9. How important is it for Christians to be transparent particularly
when living in the public eye?
It's very important whether you are in the public eye or not to be transparent.
There is a massive misconception about Christians being corny, boring, perfect
people who don't know how to have a good time. I'm hear to let you know Christians
have a good time, doing godly things and while we aren't perfect we are aiming
to be more like Christ everyday. If Christians are transparent then it will
be easier to fulfill the Great commission because we are all sinners.
10. If you choose to do a sophomore project, what artist(s) (from any
genre) would you like to collaborate with?
I don't know if there will be a sophomore project unless God gives me that
vision. I would love to work with Kirk Franklin, Toby Mac, Brandon Divine, Beyonce, Fantasia,
Lecrae, Da Truth, Grits and a few others.