Local hip hop and r&b artist
Local hip hop and r&b artist Dante LyriQ just released his breakout EP, Chasing Shadows, a 13-track journey through Dante’s life, ups and downs, relationships, and views on the world.
It’s very personal, very real and honest, and stripped right down to the bare bones of what he feels. There’s a range of vibes and moods, but on each one you get to know a little piece of Dante.
His voice sort of reminds me of Childish Gambino or Drake when they sing, but he still has his own individual sound. Much of the mixtape has to deal with a relationship that went sour.
“Chasing Shadows is my first real project,” he said. “It’s based off of my last relationship with my ex I wanted to put out a body of work that showed a side of me that nobody knew.”
And Chasing Shadows was a five-year process according to the 25-year-old Richmond native.
“I had to become a man I was still young I was still worried about the wrong stuff always getting caught in the wrong stuff, hanging around the wrong people,” he said. “I love the outcome of Chasing Shadows, it was worth it.”
“Work” was the first track to come off the mixtape in May, and the Chasing Shadows EP dropped last month.
“Chasing Shadows talks about chasing dreams and finding out who Dante is as a person, as a man, as a human being,” he said.
“Reign,” “Pillow Talk,” and “You Aint Gotta Worry” are probably my favorites. And although many of the songs have to deal with a past relationship, there is some humor thrown into the mix with the intro, “Conservations with Bernie,” a Bernie Mac skit which is hilarious and yet a little motivational at the same time.
He also has a couple tracks on the EP which feature a few other local rappers including Richmond’s own Nickelus F and DMV hip hop artist Eddie Vanz.
Dante grew up in Richmond and started singing with his Grandmother at the age of four. After she passed away, Dante LyriQ got into his church choir and started writing his own songs and poetry by 10-years-old.
His big break came in 2007 as the opening act for the “Price of Fame” tour at the Richmond Coliseum which featured Trey Songz, J. Holiday, Lloyd, Sammie, Lyfe Jennings, Kem, and Bow Wow.
Besides the Coliesum, Dante Lyriq has performed at Gallery5, The Camel, and The Norva. He will perform at the Henrico Theatre Aug. 30.
The local artist will release his next single, “So Addicted” on XM Radio in the next couple weeks and he said he has big plans for the fall.
”I’m working toward making good music and should be on tour by the end of September,” he said. “I’m excited.”
