V EXCLUSIVE: DREAMDOLL

Dreamdoll is evolving and we’re here for it

If you haven’t heard of Bronx native Dreamdoll, you’re about to. The 27 year old rap star is at the forefront of a new era of rap music where women run the show. We caught up with Dream to discuss new single with G-Eazy, reality tv, plastic surgery, and being a self made businesswoman. 

 

V MAGAZINE How did you start doing the work you do, and what inspires it?

Dreamdoll I started rapping in college, but I got in the industry from Instagram when I was 19. I did a reality tv show for Oxygen and another for VH1. That’s how I got my core fan base and my step in the door as far as the industry goes. 

V We’re in a new digital age where people get discovered and build entire careers off of their social media presences’, how do you think social media has influenced your career and what advice would you give to those looking to make it big?

DD Social media plays a big part in my career, I probably wouldn’t have even been discovered if it wasn’t for social media. I would never be able to connect with my fans without social media. Some of my fans work with me and create cover art and do things for my Youtube. They’re more than fans to me, it’s more like a friendship. I reach out to them all the time and invite them to events when I’m in their city. 

You never know what works or what step will take you to the next step. It could be something like a dance you do on your Instagram story or something catchy you say that will cause you to blow up. Just keep trying because you never know what move will take you to the next level. 

V How does it feel creating music in this new golden age of women being taken seriously as rappers?

DD I think women have always been taken seriously in rap, but the issue was there weren’t that many of us. I don’t want to discredit Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu and all the OG’s that paved the way. I definitely feel like there are more females now in the industry, and the more the merrier. It’s a blessing to see women on the charts and making moves on their own and being able to put their names on songs. 

V What was the transition like for you going from reality tv to making music full time?

DD I was still doing music when I was doing reality tv. I was also bartending at the time and had to pay for my studio sessions, producers, video shoots, etc on my own. I was independent and had to put the work in. Now that I have a team, I get to focus on being an artist. You definitely have to stop reality tv at some point, it can get toxic. It was definitely a stepping stone. 

V Your first EP was called Life In Plastic and you’re extremely candid about your experiences with plastic surgery. What advice would you give to young women who want to get plastic surgery?

DD My input on plastic surgery is to do it for yourself, do your research, especially on the doctor. There are so many women losing their lives in order to have a specific body or face and it’s just not worth it. I’m not afraid to talk about surgery because I know there are other women out there that went through things that I went through, and have similar reasons for getting plastic surgery in the first place. Do it for you because you want to do it and do it right. 

V You grew up in the Bronx as the oldest of five children. How has your upbringing played a role in your creative process?

DD I make sure I do whatever my siblings need as long as they do well in school. We’re not in the Bronx anymore, I moved my mom out of the projects and into New Jersey. My mom is my biggest supporter and my 16 year old brother wants to rap. Growing up in the Bronx taught me how to work hard and showed me that I wanted to get out. You’ll do anything to get out and change your life to make your dreams come true. I always knew that I wanted to be a star, but I didn’t know it would become this. I didn’t know rapping would bring me here. I actually stopped rapping in college because for me it was just for fun. Once I realized it could be something and I could have a team as well as a label that believes in me I kept going. The Bronx is a part of my life, regardless. I go back there often, my city supports me and I do try and give back as much as I can. I don’t feel like I’m better than anyone else, I want to show that anything is possible. If it could happen to me, it could really happen to anybody. 

V What is the soundtrack to your life?

DD One of the songs from my EP Life In Plastic 2, a track called When It’s Over. That’s the only record where I cried my heart out and really let it all out in the studio. It’s at the point where when the record plays I don’t want to hear it. It’s so emotional for me. I talk about my family, things I’ve gone through, comparison, basically my life and my problems. Usually when I go into the studio, I do whatever I’m thinking about at the time, but that was my first time doing a song so personal and it was really emotional for me. 

V Tell me a bit about your new single, Who You Loving, and what it was like to collaborate with G-Eazy.

DD That was a dope experience. G-Eazy is super cool and dope, for him to be able to come to New York and shoot the video with me from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M was a blessing. I’m so proud that the song came out to be what it was and he [G-Eazy] was perfect for it. That was the first video I did with a mainstream artist. I love the song, it was perfect for Valentine’s Day. 

V What’s next for you?

DD I’m working on a new EP right now that should drop before Summer. I’m also about to drop a new single in a few weeks that has another male artist on it so stay tuned for that. I’m also featured on a few albums coming out, I think this year a lot of people are finally taking me more seriously as an artist which is a blessing. I’m just looking forward to more doors opening and showing the way I’m evolving. 

V What do you want people to know about you?

DD I’ve been working on my artistry and I’m just ready to take off. Dreamdoll is evolving.

 

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