Photography and interview by Christopher Brown
We got the great opportunity to catch up with Los Angeles based musician Tdot illdude to find out more about his video for ’Smoking Good’, stereotypes and how his roots influenced him as a person.
You recently released a strong visual for ’Smoking Good’, can you tell us more about the concept behind the video and track?
Its a lot of injustice going on, and I love to smoke weed, and I care about my people, so I just combined both worlds.
The artwork for your album ’Dopamine Damage’ is also quite powerful, can you tell us about the different elements and how this ties into the music itself?
I’m just trying to bring attention to the nonsense that’s going on in this world. I love my cover. I saw my bro Phil Ade had a crazy cover and hit the guy who did his, and we made a masterpiece. I don’t wanna say his name cause I don’t want ppl using him (laughs), but he’s not cheap and he’s super talented. If they wanna use him they can do the research like I did! But the cover represents how I feel when I look at the world. All the nonsense that people celebrate is wack to me.
You’re originally from Willingboro, NJ, which is home to a number of prolific artists. How has having roots there influenced you as an individual and artist?
I’m actually a pioneer from Willingboro. A lot of guys from my neighborhood who had the spotlight said they was from Philly or New York. Me and my guys Big Rod and Cato were the 1st people who was repping Willingboro with no shame. We really the guys who made it cool to rep Willingboro.
“Where I’m from, you gotta respect everyone cause you don’t know who’s who.”
Being based in Los Angeles, what stereotypes about LA people are true? Which are false? Did anything about living in LA surprise you?
A lot of people confuse LA and Hollywood – 2 totally different things. LA has some of the realest ppl I ever met in my life. Hollywood is a bunch of people from different parts of America, lot of small towns and a lot of people try too hard. So Hollywood gets a bad wrap, but I met some of the best people in my life in Hollywood & LA. Living out here has been a blessing, but I think that’s because I know how to move because of where I’m from. Where I’m from, you gotta respect everyone cause you don’t know who’s who. So my morals and honor got me a lot of good relationships. People like me are a rare breed in Hollywood. LA is full of real ones tho. Hollywood and LA are 2 different worlds, ppl need to realize that.
You’ve got a number of collaborators on your album, can you tell us about how you came to work with Charlie Heat and Tish Hyman?
These are just people I fuck with on a personal level, who are super talented. Charlie is one of my best friends, and Tish is just such a amazing person – great energy and super talented. Blessing to know both of them.
What are you looking forward to now that the US is opening back up? What can we expect next from Tdot?
I can’t wait to do shows, and I’m heavy into art. I’m gonna have my 1st art exhibit soon! Stay tuned!
Check out the full album:
foundation-media.ffm.to/dopaminedamage
www.dotsquiat.com
twitter.com/dotsquiat
www.facebook.com/dotsquiat
www.instagram.com/dotsquiat
