Interview: Dallas Based Rapper/Producer Donn Chii Discusses His "Diamond Dreams" Song/Video

Donn Chii is a Dallas based rapper and producer, originally from Detroit, who recently released his single, “Diamond Dreams”, and its music video. “Diamond Dreams” is a featured track on Donn’s self-produced EP “Dojo Demos Vol. 1”, and we’ve connected with him to discuss both, as well as the music genre he’s coined “space rock hip hop”, and much more.

After reading our Q&A with Donn, be sure to connect with him on his website and social media, stream his very DOPE EP “Dojo Demos Vol. 1”, and check out some more of his music on Spotify.

Congratulations on the completion and release of your self-produced EP "Dojo Demos Vol. 1". Tell us about your creative process for the development of the EP and how long it took to complete.

Thanks so much, DCWS. I started working on the EP sometime in the beginning of 2019. I've only been producing for about three years now, so a lot of time was spent on YouTube learning how to better my sound.

I started making beats just to practice and experiment with sounds. Over the course of a few months, I had a library of incomplete beats/music that I knew had potential but didn't know exactly what I wanted to do with them. I've always wanted to release a self produced project but thought I needed more time to learn and experiment. So I decided to push myself and just put out the best work I could. I got my friends to feature on some of the tracks to help take the workload off. Finally, about a year later, “Dojo Demos Vol. 1” was released on Feb 7th, 2020!

Of the nine songs on the EP, why did you select "Diamond Dreams" to create a visual for and how did you connect with the director King Spencer?

I chose "Diamond Dreams" because it's catchy, relatable, and gives the listener a little bit of insight about me. I'm a big dreamer. I think everyone dreams about being "rich", whatever that life looks like to you, and through dreams you can manifest. I knew it was a song that I feel every time I listen to it, so it was only natural.

King Spencer is from Tulsa, OK. He messaged me on Instagram and said he'd be shooting in Dallas and wanted to work with me cause he liked my stuff. I was about to release “Dojo Demos Vol. 1” so he came at perfect timing. I didn't meet him until the day of the shoot but it all came together quickly and smoothly, he's a true visionary. He even had the footage back to me the same day, 10/10.

What was it like to record the whole EP in your apartment? Also, what software/hardware do you use to make beats?

Overall, I loved it. It was definitely a learning experience and I can't wait to put out the next one. It can get pretty boring working in the same room by yourself all the time but bringing my friends in to record their verses brought in some new vibes and creative ideas to the project.

I use Logic Pro X to produce everything and my microphone is a Rode NT1-A.

You are currently located in Dallas but originally from Detroit; what led you down south and how would you compare the music scenes for the kind of music that you create?

I moved to Dallas when I was only 7 and I'm 29 now. I came with my mom, sister, and step dad so it wasn't exactly by choice. I honestly haven't gotten to experience the hip hop scene in Detroit as much as I would like to. My cousin, King M.O.E., is active in the Detroit area, he's on track 8.

The Dallas hip hop scene is dope with plenty of talent. With artists like Yella Beezy or Trapboy Freddy, I feel like my music is different than what Dallas is used to. But I've still got plenty of support from my Dallas natives.

Tell us about the music genre you invented - "space rock hip hop". In what ways the "Dojo Demos Vol. 1" project personify this new genre?

"Space rock hip hop" is something I made up to give my music a little more definition than just your cliche labels. I love astronomy and physics. I want people to visualize when they listen to my music. The abstract sounds create the "space" part, my guitar creates the "rock" part, and the drums and bass carry the "hip hop".

I really like the direction "Astroworld" and "Eternal Atake" took in hip hop. I hope to become a pioneer of a new style this decade. I think all the tracks on “Dojo Demos Vol. 1” have their individual vibes, but together they make "space rock hip hop".

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