Writing Lyrics That Save Lives And Inspire: An Interview With Dramatiq
The songwriter and producer from Dallas talks about his musical journey.
Dramatiq was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He says he grew up in a church, where he had Bishop T.D. Jakes as a mentor.
One Christmas he received a clarinet as a present, and when somebody from church heard him play a beat he had made accidentally, they would for their own beats.
His strength, he says, is music theory. And he says that he wants to write lyrics that saves lives, motivate and inspire.
L. SOJINI: Can you tell us about yourself? Where you’re from and what kind of musician you are.
DRAMATIQ: I was born and raised in Dallas, Tx. Grew up in the church with Bishop T.D. Jakes as a mentor to me at a teen and travel everywhere he went and I ministered in the youth Step Team, Hip Hop Dance Team, Drama Team and Mime.
I specialize in producing and songwriting R&B, Hip hop and pop genre.
L. SOJINI: How did you get into music?
DRAMATIQ: I first got into music at the Potter's House church. I did Christian Rap and got a chance to minister on DayStar Tv. I got a Casio keyboard for Christmas one year and I didn't know what I was doing but was always in music in school playing the clarinet so I understood theory.
I accidentally made a nice beat playing by ear and a group of us used it to minister at the church and then after that many would come ask who produced it and would ask me to produce a beat for them. A friend from the church made a statement that my beats was cinematic and very dramatic and that’s where I got my name from. I had to spell it with a ‘q’ because it was a DJ Dramatic but he usually went by Drama. I still sent him a courtesy message on social media letting him know I respectfully spelled it different.
L. SOJINI: What do you think makes good music?
I think good music is something that can jump inside people and move them. A good music will touch emotions and that's is why I songwrite. I want to write lyrics to help save a life, a relationship or just motivate and inspire.
L. SOJINI: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a musician?
DRAMATIQ: My strengths are the knowledge of theory from being in the band from middle school through high school. My networking skills has gain me a lot of big legends in the music industry that also has helped me progress. My weaknesses is being an introvert along with having PTSD from the military. I tend to tense up and be inside my head a lot around a lot of people and you have to be able to talk to people. That's why I'm hoping to get a manager that does the talking and business talks for me very soon.
L. SOJINI: What are you currently working on?
DRAMATIQ: I'm currently A&R for industry ready beats to songwrite to. I want to build up a roster of ready songs with demo vocals to present to a few publishing companies to try to get a publishing deal to get placements on more major artist projects.
L. SOJINI: How do you approach music? As in, what’s your philosophy when it comes to making music?
DRAMATIQ: I approach music like a film. I try to brainstorm topics people are currently struggling with and then come up with a short story.
Once I have the story I figure out words that are associated with the story and topic. I then paint a picture with lyrics making sure it has build-ups, climaxes and emotion grabbers.
L. SOJINI: What are you most proud of to have achieved as a musician?
DRAMATIQ: I am so happy to have had a chance to release a song with the Empire label. I follow Ghazi very close and he's very caring about helping people with their craft.
I was excited when I got news that a song I co-produced with Hollywood Cobain made it on J Haze and Chromeazz song project called ‘Feelings Hurt’ to be released through Empire.
L. SOJINI: How do you promote your music?
DRAMATIQ: I do a lot of social media posts and I make a lot of attention grabbing graphics. I sometimes run contests for people to win Cashapp money or a chance for varies prizes. I also get help from big social media influencers to post or repost info about projects.
L. SOJINI: Favourite musician? Why?
DRAMATIQ: I really love Swizz Beats and Timbaland. They have some crazy drum patterns that hits hard and always gets the crowd or club hype.
They've also made a business during the pandemic that gave many of us something to do to take our minds of the negative vibes that was going around at the time causing darkness. It was a classic to bring together legends and battle it out for fun to entertain us.
L. SOJINI: What’s your advice or message to fellow musicians?
DRAMATIQ: I would say when you feel like giving up go even harder. When you see the finish line, push passed it. If you ever feel overwhelmed never be ashamed of taking a break just try to take a long one because your craft fades as it sits and waits for you.
L. SOJINI: Can you recommend one musician you’ve worked with that The Musician can interview next? You can share their Twitter handle.
DRAMATIQ: Hollywood Cobain would be a producer or artist I'd recommend. He works really hard and has had a lot of great placements. He has a dope album project he made as an artist and I think it could use some extra eyes on it to promote in a blog. @HollywoodCobain.
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