Westleaf Staff
What's up Leafers? Welcome to the latest edition of On the Rise where we interview upcoming hip hop talent. Today's guest is artist, Dog. Dog is from LA by way of Oklahoma. His sound is melancholic and vibey similar to Lil Peep, Uzi, or XXX. We can definitely see Dog selling out shows on major stages.The LA based MC has been on our radar for a while so we had to tap in with him! Check out the interview below.
Westleaf Staff: What's up, Dog? Your sound is dope. When did you start making music?
Dog: I started making music when I was like 13 or 14. My friend and I pirated Reason 5 on my laptop and I started to make beats. I started singing on my beats tho because no one liked them so I said fuck it, someone’s gotta use them. But dog didn’t come about until 2018 or so. I didn’t start taking it seriously until 2020 or so.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope! What city do you represent?
Dog: I don’t know ahaha I’m from Oklahoma but they aren’t hip to Dog. I guess I would say Los Angeles because that’s where I’m currently living. I wouldn’t say I rep it that hard tho.
Westleaf Staff: Shout out to LA. Y'all definitely have some talent. So how did you create your stage name?
Dog: Because there hasn’t ever been a Dog. There’s been Snoop Dogg and shit. But never just Dog. So I decided I was gonna be the first one. Everyone hated on it though, they said it was impossible, but future did it, why can’t I?
Westleaf Staff: That's a dope name.So how did your early life shape your interest in music?
Dog: My mom and dad were giant music lovers. My dad would take me to all these concerts and I thought it was so fye. When I was about 8 or so, my dad made me have an after school activity because I didn’t wanna play sports, I thought sports were so stupid, so I picked up the drums and piano. I was super fye at the drums. My drum teacher was this really old guy named Eddie Lockhart. He taught me a lot about music.
Westleaf Staff: Shoutout to Eddie! So who is your biggest Musical influence?
Dog: If you asked me a couple years ago I would have said Shlohmo, Corbin, Speaker Knockerz, Future, Chief Keef, Bladee and Yung Lean. But as of recently my best friends have been really impressing me. Such as, Yards4le, Yvncc, Hamilton, Jomie, Spooky Bands, LoveJai, and E_DEATH. Aside from other music directly inspiring me, nature and loved ones really inspire me to push myself and keep going.
Westleaf Staff: Dope choices! What's been the defining moment in your music career thus far?
Dog: One time I got recognized as someone who makes original music. I just make what I want to hear. I don’t really care about what’s trendy or whatever. That will never last. What I make is timeless. Starbucks, that was super fye.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope! Gotta stay different! So what makes you a unique artist?
Dog: No one is making the kind of music I make. I just make what I want to hear, I don’t really care about what’s trendy or whatever. That will never last. What I make is timeless.
Westleaf Staff: Dope! So what does art mean to you?
Dog: Art means everything to me. It’s what I consume every waking moment of every day. It’s what most of everyone consumes everyday whether they realize it or not.
Westleaf Staff: True! That's deep! Where do you see your music career going over the next few years?
Dog: In the next few years, when you google “dog” my face is gonna pop up. You’re gonna see me rocking shows overseas with my friends, sold out shows shutting it down.
Westleaf Staff: I wish you much success! Before we go, describe music in three words.
Dog: “We the best.”
Follow Dog:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swagsohardimboutthatlife/
