DAWN RICHARD – ECLECTIC AUTHENTIC ARTISTIC AESTHETIC
Exclusive Interview
Dawn Richard on being transparent for her fans and why she advocates for black voices and art in all spaces.
Dawn Richard is an eccentric artist whose music career started when she auditioned on the hit TV show Making the Band. The show successfully formed the widely loved girl phenomenon, Danity Kane.
A few years later, Dawn worked with Diddy again in her second band, Diddy Dirty Money. Diddy-Dirty Money released their debut album Last Train to Paris in 2010. Dawn founded ‘Our Dawn Entertainment LLC, and has since become an independent artist and producer. Under her label, Dawn released many projects such as Goldenheart (2013), Blackheart (2015), Redemptionheart (2016), New Breed (2019), The Neon Era (2020), along with a plethora of singles and features.
As she sits in her car, on a rainy day in New Orleans, the pop star speaks with Mogul Magazine. Dawn reveals the harsh realities of the music industry, her refusal to be pigeonholed, and her love for alternative rock bands. She also shares what it’s like to have Diddy as a boss and then transition to having him as a bandmate in the eye-opening conversation. Dawn has never compromised her authenticity for fame and is unapologetic, and eclectic. Her sound channels her deepest emotions, conveying poignant truths about her journey through life and music.
“I didn’t think of it as a talent. My father is a musician, and my mum owned a dancing school, so I grew up in it. They never forced it on me. It was something that was there.”
Dawn grew up in New Orleans, with her parents, both in the creative arts industry. With such talented parents its no surprise that a young Dawn had the skill, passion and determination to embark on an entertainment career. Although Dawn’s mum and dad had a love for music and dance, their jobs as teachers paid the bills and kept them financially stable. Dawn was taught education is more important than art and that there wasn’t any money in art or music.
“I remember seeing my mum and dad struggle in their art. Both my parents had their education and master’s degree. Their teaching provided their income. I never thought art would be my job. It was something that was fulfilling to me. I grew up in it, and it was always there. I never thought I’d have a career in art because both my parents were terrific, but I knew it didn’t pay for our education and stuff. It was their education that got my family to be financially ok. I didn’t see it as a talent; it was more of an escape because it was all around me.”
Fast forward to the early noughties, 2004 was a great year, reality tv competition shows were growing in popularity, and mogul Diddy unleashed his brainchild “Making The Band” onto our tv screens.
Here we saw a 21-year old fresh-faced Dawn. She was edgy, had the vocals, could dance and keep up with the best choreographers and had a steel behind her eyes that showed she was determined to make it. Back then New Orleans was not that popular for churning out pop stars; the only people who made it big were rappers like Master P, Lil Wayne & Birdman. Making it to New York and successfully auditioning and making it into the band was a big deal. Conscious of the fact that opportunities like this did not happen for young brown girls from New Orleans, Dawn felt the pressures of representing New Orleans and knew she had to bring her A-game every step of the way.
“I was dancing in the NBA, and the girls told me there was a show I should checkout. I was telling them, “no girl, no one ever been on a TV show from New Orleans, it’s not going to happen.” Sure enough, I auditioned, and I made it into the group.”
“It was the only opportunity I had because New Orleans wasn’t popular at the time. The closest we had was Britney Spears from Kentwood, Louisiana.”
Dawn shares she was the edgy kid with pink and blue hair, wearing anime shirts and listening to alternative rock. She had an affinity with live bands, and some of her favourite acts were British group Portishead and the Sugarcubes – a band fronted by Icelandic singer Bjork.
“I’ve always wanted to be in a band but not necessarily a girl group. I just loved the idea of the band. I didn’t necessarily fit into what New Orleans was at the time. So having the chance to be in a multi-genre multicultural girl group at that time was pretty cool.”
While in Danity Kane Dawn quickly saw what the reality of being in the music industry was. Coming in the industry as part of a female girl group prepared her for the good, and bad of what the music business had to offer. Like most artists, Dawn had to learn and accept that the music came second to business.
“I realised that we were a product. Music is not the leading force in the music industry; it’s the industry part. It should be called industry music. I was happy I had a marketing degree because it showed me that we were product first and foremost, and everything was secondary to that.”
“There was pressure on me. I wanted to represent and make sure I was dope.”
Danity Kane saw great success together. The pop group had Top 10 singles and a platinum-certified album. Unfortunately, the group only lasted for four years, with the ladies parting ways in 2009.
“When he ended Danity Kane, I had no job, no money for seven months. He didn’t care; he was gone doing his own thing, and I just kept writing. I would turn in about 4-5 songs every day.
I would take the train from Baltimore to New York on my own dime to go to the writer’s room, write all day, and then send it to him. I had no idea what my journey was going to be.”
But as one door closes another opens, because Dawn popped back up on our radar and this time she was front and centre – with Diddy, who was once her manager as her bandmate.
Dawn teamed up with singer-songwriter Kalenna to write songs for a new group that Diddy was putting together. After months of writing daily and submitting the song into Bad Boy Records for the project, Dawn & Kalenna impressed Diddy so much that he changed the group’s direction and offered the two ladies the lead positions instead. By no means was it an easy feat, but Dawn was determined to show the world she is a true creative diligently worked on her craft.
“I forced myself to show him I was more than just someone to sit on the shelf, and after the 3000th song, he was like, I’m doing this group, and I’d love you to write for it. We were not Diddy Dirty Money at that point. We weren’t even in his thought process, she was in Atlanta, and I was in New York, but as we were writing for him, our voices just came together on the records. Our voices started complimenting each other. As the group idea progressed, the original group members no longer wanted to do it; Diddy thought to keep the writers.”
The three mavericks formed a trio made magic together in what seemed like a wild twist of fate. The group had a new name, Diddy-Dirty Money, and released their critically acclaimed album “Last Train to Paris.”
Working with Diddy, there was no sleep. It was his baby too. Whatever I thought the microscope was, it was now bigger, and he had high expectations of what he wanted it to be. Kalenna and I are two Leos hanging with a Scorpio. It was high-level energy. What you saw is what we were. That was the first time I felt I could be the artist I always saw myself to be. It was dope as the writer too. I felt like in Danity Kane; we were a little stifled. There were many things against us, and then to be a black girl in a predominantly white group, we were secondary. I couldn’t be fly, and I couldn’t wear those hairstyles in that type of group because it was classed as ugly. Whereas in that space with Diddy-Dirty Money, it was whatever we wanted to be. I got to do the things I want to do and say the things I wanted to say. It was a pivotal time for me.
In 2012, Dawn decided to cut ties with Diddy and his label, Bad Boy Records for good.
Naturally, a fantastic performer it is hard to believe she’s naturally an introverted character. Over the years, we have never seen Dawn involved in arguments or mess on the blogs. Even when she was in Danity Kane, although we would hear rumblings about fights between the girls and favouritism, Dawn was never “out in these streets” spilling unnecessary tea, slandering anyone’s names or trying to play the victim.
Dawn chose to speak her truth through and creativity, that way once she addressed it artistically she didn’t have to revisit it. It was a more therapeutic way to get her emotions off her chest without making it a scandal for the headlines.
“Some things would happen even with Danity Kane, fights, and stuff happened. I never went to press or told people I would write about it, and once I wrote it, that’s where it lived. There was no need to address it beyond that. Every album I’ve done can tie together like a long story. It’s a book of all the things I’ve gone through. It speaks directly to my sexual abuse issues, and my problems with Diddy, being with Bad Boy Records, and Danity Kane. I talk about all those things. I do it in a way that is not pointing a finger, but more of a self-reflection of my choices. I’m ok with those choices. I realised I’m not the only one going through those things.”
Today Dawn is content and focused on putting out music for her fans. Her music resonates with many as she often touches on experiences and emotions many people go through. Dawn continues to shine outside the box of what black females in the industry are usually placed in. Dawn has tried to fit in throughout her life, but it just doesn’t work for her. She is to unique to have societies labels define her style, sound and artistic expression. Dawn proudly represents the unconventional crowd, making music for the misfits who are proud to be different, and that is ok. Her raw energy is authentic and pure; she gives 1000% to her projects and only delivers her fans the best. Dawn is comfortable being unconventional, and I believe this is where she thrives, being boundless.
You started 2020 with the release of your EP – The Neon Era. You recently released a beautiful single called “Hold My Hand,” Can we expect an album anytime soon?
Yes, my album is complete, and it’s coming next year. I can’t just put stuff out; it has to have meaning, and I always like to outdo myself. I don’t want to do the same thing twice. Indie wasn’t cool five years ago, but now it’s cool. Lots of people you perceive as indie have major labels or significant people backing them. You know, they may be an indie artist but have a major manager or booking agent. I don’t have any of that. I am fully indie; every time I do something financially, it takes a lot out of me because I always try to give quality. My biggest thing is being independent does not mean you can’t compete with mainstream culture.
It hurts me because I am a black woman doing something that most of our black culture doesn’t support because I don’t choose to stay in R&B or rap. I’m spending a lot of money, and most of the time, my culture doesn’t listen to it. They think it’s a little too out of the box to support, so it becomes a financial hindrance. I’m pushing my culture, but my culture does not love the music, so they will not support my music. I do it because I feel like we can exist in more than one genre.
Now, I have to be careful with how I release things because I will be in the hole, putting out the kind of art that I do. I’m doing it on purpose, but I’m also doing it all on my own. I can’t release three projects in a year. My eras are great, but I have to be strategic.
In this digital era, you can release a single today, and tomorrow they want another one. As an indie artist, it’s hard because it costs every time we put something out. Especially in the pop world because pop costs, pop culture costs money.
So my album will be out next year, but I’m strategic because I don’t have a massive conglomerate behind me. Indie artists have to work extremely hard and create innovative, new, and different content but with a high-quality.
You started 2020 with the release of your EP – The Neon Era, followed by your beautiful single “Hold My Hand” – Can we expect an album anytime soon?
“Yes, my album is complete, and it’s coming next year. I can’t just put stuff out; it has to have meaning, and I always like to outdo myself. I don’t want to do the same thing twice. Indie wasn’t cool five years ago, but now it’s cool. Lots of people you perceive as indie have major labels or significant people backing them. You know, they may be an indie artist but have a major manager or booking agent. I don’t have any of that. I am fully indie; every time I do something financially, it takes a lot out of me because I always try to give quality. My biggest thing is being independent does not mean you can’t compete with mainstream culture.
It hurts me because I am a black woman doing something that most of our black culture doesn’t support because I don’t choose to stay in R&B or rap. I’m spending a lot of money, and most of the time, my culture doesn’t listen to it. They think it’s a little too out of the box to support, so it becomes a financial hindrance. I’m pushing my culture, but my culture does not love the music, so they will not support my music. I do it because I feel like we can exist in more than one genre.
Now, I have to be careful with how I release things because I will be in the hole, putting out the kind of art that I do. I’m doing it on purpose, but I’m also doing it all on my own. I can’t release three projects in a year. My eras are great, but I have to be strategic.
In this digital era, you can release a single today, and tomorrow they want another one. As an indie artist, it’s hard because it costs every time we put something out. Especially in the pop world because pop costs, pop culture costs money.
So my album will be out next year, but I’m strategic because I don’t have a massive conglomerate behind me. Indie artists have to work extremely hard and create innovative, new, and different content but with a high-quality.”
Dawn takes pride in putting out the best quality product for her fans and is always transparent about the music business’s reality. She recognises that most of her fanbase are creatives in their own right and are trying to figure it out. Knowing this compels Dawn to share her creative process with her audience as much as she can.
“The journey is crazy, so I know what it is like, and what it takes when you have the money. I was in it. I see how great it is when everybody’s got your back. I also know how it is when I didn’t have anyone there, and I’m very open about that. I’ve had to figure out how to manoeuvre on this journey, and although it’s not the easiest, it’s rewarding because I am still here.
I watched the VMA’s yesterday and saw Chloe & Halle perform. They are signed to Parkwood, which is Beyonce’s label. They have Beyonce’s support system and conglomerate. They are on a popular tv show, yet they were a pre-show performance. Do you understand what that means for indie artists? Their music is a bit different a bit closer to pop culture, and they had a pre-show performance with a Beyonce co-sign. What does that mean for the black artist who has none of that with an even more eclectic sound?
“Consumers don’t think about that, and that’s the first thing I saw. If Chloe and Halle are the pre-show, then what are artists like me going to be? They looked flawless; they sound perfect but were put on the pre-show. I thought, damn, my peers, what happens for them. That’s the type of thing I think about and the type of conversations I love to have.”
I love the industry, you need corporate, and you need grassroots. We need all of it. We need mainstream artists, but there’s a lack of understanding for black people. We have to stop saying I’m not too fond of this, so I won’t support it. We need to support it because it’s us. We don’t realise if we support it, we will move the dial. We are that powerful, and once we get past that, we will win.
Mogul Magazine
You are dropping some gems about the industry and ways we can grow as a people. I didn’t expect this at all. I did not know you were so deep.
Dawn Richard
I write about all of this in my music. The coolest thing I wanted to do was make universal music but keep the message be black. We’re so busy not liking genres that we are missing this is as black as it’s going to get. That was the point of it all. If you look at my videos, all chocolate people, who cares if the music is techno. It’s beautiful, and it’s incredible. We can be all things.
Can you share the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome since becoming a professional singer?
Being seen the way I see myself as an artist. For some reason, they don’t see it, or I’m misunderstood. The hardest thing for someone like me is I can only be myself, but it doesn’t always translate. Some people get it, but I wish it can be seen on a larger scale.
Sometimes, black women are misunderstood and are not seen the way we should be. It’s based on what society’s norm of what black women are. I don’t believe in that narrative. I see myself as the king I desire to be, but society sees me as a little black girl or an angry black woman. After that, I’m the trying pop girl that’s doing the most, yet Lady Gaga can’t wear a bull on her head, and she’s fantastic. I see myself through a completely different lens as the world sees me. It’s hard because when you love your passion, your art is your self-expression. You can see the real artist when they put their love on canvas.
The wildest thing is to do it, be happy with it and then realise that people didn’t see it the same. The truth is that it is art and invokes emotion, good or bad. That was a hard lesson for me as the singer.
“You think because it’s what you love, it would easily be received”
If you can pick your dream collaboration, who would you choose, and why?
Hans Zimmer, no question he’s one of my all-time favourite scorers in a film. He is just exceptional.
Looking at the music industry today, what would you say is missing?
Lots of colour and gender. BTS is excellent; I love them as KPop, but why can’t we have a black boy band. Think about it, where are the black girl groups? It is crazy to me that the phenomenon is in Korea.
I love them. I think BTS is great, but it shows me where we are. We don’t mind that they lip-sync every performance. It’s impeccable, and they do great, but we can’t accept that over here? It’s wild we decide this normal for us. We haven’t had a powerful girl group forever, but we have six massive KPop groups breaking pop right now.
It’s great we have Asian bands; it has taken a long time, and they are people of colour. They are doing black influenced pop, and most of their writers are black. Kpop groups are given the sound, so for me, if they can exist, why can’t we have black boy bands. June’s Diary is out here, they sing their behinds off, and they’re not given anything at all.
The industry keeps missing the opportunity to diversify the charts on a major level. And not just with colour, with independence too. It would be best if you had independent award shows. We should have Soundcloud awards. We are missing the opportunity to truly diversified the culture, The industry is behind in that aspect, and it’s mind-boggling.
To date, what achievement makes you most proud?
Surviving this long with nothing. I did Tinydesk with no help. I love Tinydesk, it’s my favourite, but I had no clue how I would do it. People would never know, the people I grew up around they’ve had to go, it’s been rough for them, and I’m lucky God is so good.
“I worked my ass off to be in the room. You can imagine how hard it is just to be in the room with nothing. That is powerful to me.”
To still be able to create art at this level when everybody left me is an achievement. Nobody was there to help.
Outside of your music career, what are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about paying it forward; that matters to me. I want to help in any way I can, I want to leave a trail, so it’s a little bit easier for someone else.
Can you tell us something the fans don’t know about Dawn?
No, I can’t because then you would know it, and I don’t want you all to know. (followed by laughing)
I’m a keep it to myself.
Can you share a nugget of wisdom for the aspiring singer/songwriters?
Never listen to anybody because no one knows what they are doing. Everybody is winging it. Go and do whatever works for you. What works for the next person may not do anything for you. Everyone else is desperate and trying to survive; believe nothing from these rich people because they don’t know what they’re doing either. That’s the realest sh*t ever; I’m serious.
What is at the heart of all you stand for, what do you want to say to the world?
“My favourite quote is from Dolly Parton – find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
I think that is the most excellent quote of all time. If you choose it, do it with purpose. Do that, and anything that you regret, you won’t really regret it because you would have done it with purpose. I love that Dolly said that, and I have been living my life like that ever since.
I just do it, and I’m always trying new stuff. I take the bad with it as I’ve never been afraid to fail. If I try with purpose, honesty, and perfectionism, whether I fail or not, it was all me, and I am ok with that.
16. Where can we find you online?
Website: www.papatedstruck.com
Instagram: @PapaTedsTruck
Apple Music: Dawn Richard
Twitter: @DawnRichard
Spotify: Dawn Richard
Instagram: @DawnRichard
