Dorian (rapper)

Last updated

Dorian
Artist Dorian Performing.jpg
Dorian in 2016
Born
Alton Dorian Clark

(1984-08-02) August 2, 1984 (age 40)
Abilene, Texas, U.S.
Other namesDorian, Duck
Alma mater Indiana University - Bloomington (B.A.)
University of Central Florida (M.A.)
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2009–present
Children1
Parents
  • Alton Kevin Clark (father)
  • Deborah Lynne Clark (mother)
Musical career
Genres Hip hop
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • percussion
LabelsGroup 82 LLC
Website group82university.com

Alton Dorian Clark (born August 2, 1984), known mononymously as Dorian, is an American rapper, producer, songwriter, and basketball coach from Indianapolis, Indiana.

Contents

Early life

Alton Dorian Clark was born on August 2, 1984, on Dyess Air Force base in Abilene, Texas. His mother named him after actor Dorian Harewood who was from his parents' native town Dayton, Ohio. [1] His father was an airman in the United States Air Force which caused Dorian to move 7 times before he was 10 years old. [2] Dorian's parents grew up during the 1970s funk era and frequently played artists such as The Ohio Players, Lakeside and Bootsy Collins which would later influence Dorian musically. Dorian learned how to read music when he was 9 while playing the trumpet in the elementary school band. In 6th grade, Dorian's family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where he played the drums in middle school and sang in his Baptist church choir from 8th grade until graduation from North Central High School. [3]

Career

Basketball career

After graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington, Dorian made 800 cold phone calls and sent 1300 cold emails in hopes of landing a basketball coaching job. [4] Dorian would get hired at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. In 2009, Dorian enrolled in graduate school at the University of Central Florida and coached high school basketball at Montverde Academy under Kevin Sutton. [5] [6] In the offseason, he trained University of Florida basketball player Patric Young. [7] Dorian would also coach at Virginia Commonwealth University under Shaka Smart and Jacksonville University under Cliff Warren. [8] In 2012, Dorian wrote for ESPN's TrueHoop Network covering the Orlando Magic. [9]

Musical career

Dorian performing on Prodigy's The Commissary Kitchen Tour in Los Angeles, CA. Dorian performing on Prodigy's Tour.png
Dorian performing on Prodigy's The Commissary Kitchen Tour in Los Angeles, CA.

On Valentine's Day in 2014, Dorian bought Apple's music production software Logic Pro X. [10] He taught himself how to make beats from YouTube tutorials. [11] In 2015, Dorian signed a digital distribution deal. On Valentine's Day 2015, Dorian released his first project, The D.U.C.K. Tape. Dorian then moved back to Indianapolis and began to work on his second project with music producer Joey French. [12] Dorian and Joey French met while attending Indiana University. In May 2015, Dorian released “Sunshine” as the lead single to his second album. [13] On October 28, 2015, Dorian released his second full-length LP Every Scar Has A Story. [14] Every Scar Has A Story was co-executive produced by Joey French and featured comedian Rob Sherrell. [15] AllMusic editor Paul Simpson says, "his production style and storytelling skills have more in common with 80s and 90s hip-hop (with Warren G and Dr. Dre as a primary influence)…but his sound encompasses more contemporary influences such as trap and Kanye West”. [16]

Upon moving to Los Angeles, California for his music career, Dorian released the single “Don’t Sleep” on YouTube. After the audio version received 60,000 views, Dorian released "Don’t Sleep" to music streaming services Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal in August 2016. [17] [18] Dorian collaborated with Def Jam signee and Indianapolis rapper Mark Battles for the "Don't Sleep" remix. [19] The music video for "Don't Sleep" premiered on iHeartRadio's WZRL Real 98.3 Indianapolis. [20] In 2017, So You Think You Can Dance Champion Kida The Great choreographed a routine to “Don’t Sleep” that went viral. [21] Later that year, comedienne Jessica Vanessa used “Don’t Sleep” to score posts on Instagram. [22] In April 2017, Dorian received FM radio play with his single "Even Love Me" debuting on WRIU 90.3 FM. [23] Later that year, Dorian signed a music marketing deal with Journeys shoe store where his music video "Sunshine" was shown in all 1300 locations across North America.

Business career

In 2018, Dorian founded the music consulting firm, Group 82. In October 2018, Group 82 received national recognition from the United States Chamber of Commerce for their economic success. [24]

Influences

Dorian lists Kanye West's The College Dropout , JAY-Z’s The Blueprint , Eminem’s The Eminem Show , Nas’ Stillmatic and Yo Gotti’s Back 2 Da Basics as his favorite rap albums of all time. [25]

Personal life

On June 17, 2019, Dorian announced the birth of his daughter Nova via Instagram. [26]

Discography

Albums

TitleAlbum Details
The D.U.C.K. Tape
Every Scar Has A Story
True Support

Singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Sunshine"2015Every Scar Has A Story
"Don't Sleep"2016True Support
"No No"2016True Support
"Don't Sleep (Remix)"

(feat. Mark Battles)

2016True Support
“Even Love Me”2016True Support
“#TooLit”2017True Support
“You Scared”2017True Support
"Michael Porter"2017True Support
"Rotate"2018True Support
"Dope"2018True Support
"Bout That"2018True Support
"Scroll"2018True Support
"She Like That"2019True Support

Videography

YearTitleDirector
2017"Don't Sleep"Darius Turbak
2017"Sunshine"Darius Turbak
2018”Michael Porter”Dorian

Concert tours

Supporting

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strange Music</span> US record label

Strange Music is an American independent record label specializing in hip hop music and founded by Tech N9ne and Travis O'Guin in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Badass</span> American rapper and actor (born 1995)

Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott, known professionally as Joey Badass, is an American rapper and actor. Born in Brooklyn, New York City, he formed the regional hip-hop group Pro Era in 2011, with whom he has released three mixtapes and formed the larger collective, Beast Coast the following year.

Tyree Lamar Pittman, better known by his stage name Young Chop, is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter. He is best known for producing drill hip hop music, and for producing many of Chief Keef's early hits, including "I Don't Like", "Love Sosa", and "3Hunna".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASAP Mob</span> American hip hop collective

ASAP Mob is an American hip hop collective formed in 2006 in Harlem, New York City, that consists of rappers, record producers, music video directors and fashion designers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twerking</span> Type of dance primarily involving the buttocks

Twerking is a type of dance to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving throwing or thrusting the hips back or shaking the buttocks, often in a low squatting stance. It is individually performed chiefly but not exclusively by women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twerk It</span> 2013 single by Busta Rhymes featuring Nicki Minaj

"Twerk It" is a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes featuring Nicki Minaj. Written by both performers alongside its producer Pharrell Williams, the song was intended to serve as the lead single for Busta Rhymes' tenth studio album, E.L.E.2 , which was delayed from 2014 to 2020; the final album did not feature this song. "Twerk It" has been said to be Jamaican-inspired and is influenced by dancehall music. A music video for the song was shot in Flatbush, New York on June 3, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Badass discography</span>

The discography of American rapper Joey Badass consists of three studio albums, 2 extended play (EP), three mixtapes, and 24 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disco Fries</span> American DJ and music production team

Disco Fries is an American DJ and music production duo from New York consisting of Nick Ditri and Danny Boselovic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Knight</span> American rapper and record producer from New York

Kirlan Labarrie, better known by his stage name Kirk Knight, is an American record producer, rapper and member of the hip hop collective Pro Era. His debut project, Late Knight Special, was released on October 30, 2015. On July 21, 2017, he released a collaborative project with fellow Pro Era member Nyck Caution, Nyck @ Knight, with its first single "Off the Wall" released on June 8, 2017. Kirk Knight is both a producer as well as a rapper. Kirk has produced top songs such as Flem by A$AP Ferg and Big Dusty by Joey Bada$$. His debut studio album, Late Night Special, peaked on the Billboard charts on November 21, 2015, at number 33. Lasting one week on the charts. Recently, Kirk Knight as well as Joey Bada$$ of the Pro Era collective rap group have made hints at a new solo album coming out in 2018 for Kirk Knight. Kirk Knight also went on tour in 2018 with rap collective Flatbush Zombies along with fellow Pro Era member Nyck Caution.

Mark Anthony Battles is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer from Indianapolis, Indiana.

iLoveMakonnen American rapper and singer

Makonnen Kamali Sheran, better known by his stage name iLoveMakonnen, is an American former rapper and singer. He is best known for his 2014 single "Tuesday", which initially gained recognition following its remix with Canadian rapper Drake. After its release in August of that year, he signed with Drake's record label OVO Sound, an imprint of Warner Records that same month; the song was re-released by the label shortly after and subsequently peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Tuesday" also received a nomination Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, and served as the lead single for his likewise re-issued self-titled debut extended play (2014), which moderately entered the Billboard 200. He parted ways with OVO in 2016, and his following releases have failed to chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Evitts</span> American musician

Mark Steven Evitts is an Emmy nominated American composer, producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Evitts has worked with such artists as Nas, Hit-Boy, G Herbo, Cheat Codes (DJs), Train, Blues Traveler, Jewel, Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, Secondhand Serenade, Katharine McPhee, Drew Seeley, Jaida Dreyer, We The Kings, among many others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey B</span> Ghanaian hip hop artist

Darryl Paa Kwesi Bannerman-Martin, known under the stage name Joey B, is a Ghanaian hip hop recording artist. He is well known for his single "Tonga".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westside Gunn</span> American rapper (born 1982)

Alvin Lamar Worthy, known professionally as Westside Gunn, is an American rapper and fashion designer from Buffalo, New York. He co-founded the hip-hop record label Griselda Records in 2012 with his paternal half-brother Conway the Machine and their cousin and fellow rapper Benny the Butcher. Gunn is recognized as one of the faces of the underground 2010s grimey boom bap resurgence, juxtaposing vivid narratives of street life, high fashion, and sample-heavy production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jax Jones</span> English DJ and record producer (born 1987)

Timucin Lam, known professionally as Jax Jones, is an English DJ, record producer and remixer. He rose to prominence in 2014 by featuring on Duke Dumont's number-one single "I Got U". He followed this with his own singles, "You Don't Know Me" featuring Raye in 2016, and "Instruction" featuring Demi Lovato and Stefflon Don in 2017. Jax's debut studio album, Snacks (Supersize) was released in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy (rapper)</span> American rapper and singer (born 1993)

Simmie Sims III, known professionally as Buddy, is an American rapper, singer, and dancer. Previously on the I Am Other label, he is now signed to Cool Lil Company and RCA Records. He is also a member of the hip-hop supergroup Zoink Gang, with JID, Smino and Guapdad 4000.

Raymond Eugene "Kevin" Sutton is an American college basketball coach, currently an assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island. Sutton previously served as the head boys basketball coach at Bishop McNamara, Montrose Christian, Montverde Academy and was the head coach for Team USA in the 2011 Nike/USA Basketball Hoop Summit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kida Burns</span> American dancer (born 2002)

Leon "Kida" Burns, known professionally as Kida the Great, is an American hip hop dancer, choreographer, and actor. He gained recognition through his Instagram dance videos of popular hip-hop songs such as "Don't Sleep" by Dorian and "Cut It" by O.T. Genasis. In 2016, Burns was crowned "America's Favorite Dancer" in the thirteenth season of So You Think You Can Dance: Next Generation.

Joseph French, known professionally as Joey French, is an American record producer and recording engineer from Indianapolis, Indiana. French gained recognition for producing on Warner Bros signee Waka Flocka Flame's debut album, Flockaveli.

Prince Harvey is an American rapper, producer, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his album PHATASS which he recorded at an Apple Store in New York City.

References

  1. ↑ "Interview with Dorian (Rapper/Producer)". CrazyPellas. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  2. ↑ "About Dorian (hip-hop)". Sonicbids. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  3. ↑ Cassell, Jacqueline (February 24, 2015). "Rising Artist: Dorian". Entertwine.
  4. ↑ Cassell, Jacqueline (February 24, 2015). "Rising Artist: Dorian". Entertwine. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  5. ↑ Collings, Buddy (February 6, 2010). "W. Park, Montverde roll". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  6. ↑ Beasley, Adam (January 14, 2011). "Montverde assistant: De La Rosa a 'true center' | FIU Panthers Prowl". Miami Herald. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  7. ↑ Hutchins, Andy (May 2, 2011). "Patric Young On His Development Goals: "Relentless ... Double-Double Machine"". SB Nation. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Daily Dirt – 5/26/11 – HoopDirt". HoopDirt. May 26, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  9. ↑ "ESPN NBA 2012 Summer Forecast contributors". ESPN. August 20, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  10. ↑ Noel, Ruth (March 2, 2015). "In the Spotlight: Chicago Rapper-Producer Dorian – Tax Twerk". Tax Twerk©. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  11. ↑ Frazer, Bear (January 25, 2016). "Dorian: Becoming The Master". Arena.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  12. ↑ "WellconnectedWednesdays interview Joey French at Stopbeefinradio 103.7". Stop Beefin Radio. September 11, 2015. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Dorian (46) – Sunshine". Discogs. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  14. ↑ "About". DorianGroup82. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Every Scar Has a Story by Dorian on Apple Music". iTunes. October 28, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  16. ↑ Simpson, Paul. "Dorian | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  17. ↑ Don't Sleep – Dorian, August 5, 2016, retrieved August 7, 2017Spotify
  18. ↑ "Don't Sleep – Single by Dorian on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Dorian (46) – Don't Sleep (Remix) feat Mark Battles". Discogs. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  20. ↑ Jones, Angelina (February 28, 2017). "New Music Video Alert: 'Don't Sleep' by Dorian | Angelina | Real 983". Real 98.3. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  21. ↑ Kida The Great (June 7, 2016), NewGeneration916 dancing to #dontsleep by @doriansucks , retrieved August 7, 2017YouTube
  22. ↑ "Instagram post by Jessica Vanessa • Mar 31, 2017 at 11:32pm UTC". Instagram. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  23. ↑ "SubmitHub – Dorian, WRIU 90.3". SubmitHub. June 28, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  24. ↑ "United States Chamber of Commerce: Small Biz Of The Week (3 Q's with Dorian Clark: owner Group 82 in Los Angeles, CA)". page.uschamber.com. October 2, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  25. ↑ Gouma, Nora (February 20, 2015). "Interview with rapper and producer Dorian -" . Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Dorian announces birth of daughter". www.instagram.com. June 17, 2019. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.