For rapper and label owner Dino, music isn’t just a passion, it’s part of his very DNA. The great nephew of platinum artist and Rock ‘n’ Roll legend Antoine "Fats" Domino, Dino has combined years of making music with his past military experience and double degrees in Music Production and Business Management to truly stand out from the crowd. Setting a new standard for independent artists, both Dino and his companies, Mysterious Entertainment, LLC and Boss Beatz Productions, have become growing forces and deft leaders in an ever-changing musical landscape.
A Baton Rouge native who has shared the stage with the likes of Rich Homie Quan, Bushwick Bill, Paul Wall, and Lil Young, Dino’s current single with platinum selling Texas legend Lil Flip has earned him unrelenting exposure in magazines and radio stations across the US. Far from resting on his laurels though, Dino is charging into 2019 with the release of a brand-new EP, ‘I’m Still’.
A release that looks to set the tone for the rest of the year, ‘I’m Still’ is a seven-track collection that builds upon Dino’s abundant musical arsenal. It’s a release of creative and lyrical magnitude, built on a definitive slew of signature beats and Dino’s natural command to produce something of real merit.
Opening with the rolling atmospherics of ‘Come Thru’, the EP makes an immediate impression. It’s heavy, slow-burning brilliance that evolves into Dino’s hard-hitting delivery. Matched by subtle beats, it’s one of several tracks that thrusts a spotlight onto Dino’s lyrics and refined rap abilities. Other tracks like ‘Tap Out’ and ‘Never Stop’ repeat this style, but announce themselves with more rapid-fire form, charting a dynamic path through the current Hip-Hop landscape and into something more.
Elsewhere on the EP, tracks like ‘Bandz’, ‘Money In Da Bag’ and closing number ‘My Language’ boast some impressive guest artists, while also balancing street aesthetic with vibrant appeal. It’s a trick undoubtedly built from Dino’s knowledge of what sells, holding onto his sound without bending or sacrificing too much to keep it entertaining and accessible.
It’s clear that Dino has struck upon a winning formula with his work. Keeping his sound true to its origins and to his sole vision, he’s managed to create something that is refined, refreshing, and ready to impress.
Score: 8.5/10
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