Dunson is striving to paint a “comprehensive picture of an artist.” A rapper, singer and producer, the Maryland native found influence in the likes of Pharrell and Timbaland, the latter of whom he credits as the reason he picked up a beat machine. And on his latest single, “Hot,” Dunson sampled a track that his biggest influence once flipped for Missy Elliott back in 2003 – but it was a mere coincidence.
“The ‘Hot’ sample, it was actually this house track that I couldn’t remember the name of because it didn’t really have any lyrics to it,” he told VIBE. “But my manager used to DJ back in the ‘90s, and he was like ‘Yeah, it’s by this group called Soho and it’s called ‘Hot Music.’ You should spit something over it.’”
Activating the necessary braggadocious bars required for the drum and piano-laced track, Dunson stakes his claim early, taking aim at the competition with metaphor after metaphor. Serving as one of the more upbeat additions to his upcoming Outlier EP, the rapper – though he defines himself as way more – is prepared to present a new level of creative control on his new project.
“I produced the whole project myself, which is something I’ve been waiting to do for a long time. So they can expect a lot of creative control. It’s gonna be Dunson in his most honest and purest form,” he said. “I would say aggression, soul, and innovation will probably be the three adjectives to describe Outlier sonically.”
Press play to hear Dunson’s new single, “Hot” below, and look out for his Outlier EP next month (May 5).
Photo Credit: Mark Petinga