MEET THE FUTURE OF THE HIP HOP: O. "DINO" DOMINO

O. “Dino” Domino is more than just your typical rapper from Louisiana with a bunch of country jargon.  He has combined his years of military and music making experience to  create a new standard for independent artists.  Cleverly, he has also enhanced his marketability by becoming proficient in writing lyrics, artist development, mixing, engineering and mastering to unmistakably set himself apart from the sleuth of rappers and engineers emerging in today’s market.

Being the great-nephew of the famous Blues singer Fats Domino, Dino has been around music his entire life; so it is no coincidence that he found his way to the music industry.  Due to his vast experience, his southern dialect transformed into and improved and more marketable sound.

As Dino’s interest in the music industry grew, so did his talent, ability and connections.  His attention to detail and quality products led him to host the first annual E.A.R.S. (Emerging Artist and Rising Stars) Talent Showcase in Fairbanks, AK., and a couple of major performances at the Juneteenth Celebrations in Kansas City, KS and Austin, TX., where his connections in the industry expanded as well as his reputation for producing a quality product.  More recently, he and the label’s artists A. Teezy, Rah Talynt and Minus the Infamous opened for Rich Homie Quan and The Alumni Legends of Hip Hop (Dana Dane, Chubb Rock, Kwame & Greg Nice .

Today Dino is the CEO of the independent label Mysterious Entertainment whose tagline is “The Major Indie Label”; a well earned title.  He is currently promoting the single “Keep It Gutta featuring Lil Flip” off the Southern Riot vol 2 mixtape hosted by DJ Big Redd of Swisha House.  Dino also acquired global distribution through IMF | INgrooves Fontana (Universal Music Group).  The label is also promoting the newly released EP from A. Teezy entitled "A1 The EP" and the debut release "The Infamous" EP by Minus.  

Courtesy: Mysterious Entertainment

Imani: Welcome to The Lounge. This is truly an honor. First off, you have an impressive resume starting with your musical roots. Your Great-Uncle was the legendary great, Fats Domino. Was he one of your biggest influence toward your music?

Dino:  I really did not know who he was until I became an adult and well into trying to develop myself as an artist.  But after I became aware, his success drove me even more to be proficient in the business of music and not just an artist.

From what I read from your bio, you have to be one of the hardest working men in Indie music. So, can you tell us briefly the story behind your brainchild, "Mysterious Entertainment"?

The name Mysterious Entertainment was derived to articulate the world that our music (artists) comes from everywhere; as we do not focus on only one genre.  Although this is a predominately urban label, we work with any artist in any genre that is serious about making this a profession.

What's your label's mission for its artists?

A. The label’s mission is to be proficient in aspects of the music creating process to facilitate the highest quality product for customers while reducing our dependency on outside entities thereby decreasing our overhead and increasing our profit margin. 

What are the benefits for Indie Artists in the industry, and are there any cons, too?

The benefits that accompany any artist signed to Mysterious Entertainment include 24/7 free access to industry standard instrumentals, free unlimited studio time, free mixing and mastering services, major distribution of their projects at cost, free artist development and management and free venue and event booking services to name a few.  The major con to being an artist on this label is that all artists incur some financial responsibility for their project as well as contributing a small monthly label fee.

You're serving active duty in the United States Army, and have been for 16 years. Have that stern discipline you've developed in the military carried into your role as CEO? And if so, how?

The discipline I acquired over the last 16 years has definitely carried over into the way my organization functions.  The entire staff of Mysterious Entertainment are well organized and punctual.  I understand the difference of being a Soldier and running a label and my artists and staff are not treated like Soldiers, however some things like getting projects completed on time, showing up to events on time and working as a team are strictly enforced.

I've heard your work and you are gifted. That said, what inspires you to write?

My inspiration simply comes from all of the struggles and sacrifices I have been through and made throughout my lifetime accompanied by the desire and will to be successful. 

As an Indie Author, I understand what it's like to wear many hats in a business. So do you agree talent isn't enough to achieve success in the industry (or in any industry)?

I honestly believe that an individual must have talent to be successful but that success is not based solely on that talent.  In any business, knowing how to conduct business is the real key to obtaining success; combined with the willingness and ability to network. 

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

My advice to all aspiring artists is to learn something about the business of the music industry and be willing to invest in yourself because you should not expect someone else to invest in you if you don’t believe in yourself enough to do it yourself.  Artists should also learn how to articulate their desires and goals in a professional manner.  The most common gesture from artists that steers me clear of them are “ghetto antics”.

Do you have a dream collaboration? If so with whom, and why?

My dream collaboration is with Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Master P.  Dr. Dre because I know I would learn so much from him just by sitting and watching him work.  It is not too many people that can say they left a million dollar company with nothing only to start a new company that tripled in profits.  Ice Cube and Master P because of some of the same reasons but in addition they could teach me so much about how to have longevity in the industry as well as incorporating music into other, more lucrative business.  Not to mention I have been a fan of all three since a young boy.

 What are your next projects?

The label is preparing to release the third installment of our mixtape series, “Southern Riot volume III” in early Spring 2015.  That release will be followed by the debut Eps from female rapper Rah Talynt entitled “Rah Diamond”, female rapper Kaysha and my own EP entitled “PURE”.  And we expect to have a few surprise releases in between.

Management: MYSTERIOUS ENTERTAINMENT LLC 832-304-3466

Booking: LIMELIGHT BOOKING - 210-685-0110

Media – URBAN STARZ MEDIA & P.R Lashaun Turner 951-665-8365

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