Interview with American Musical Artist Dendai Uno
Dendai Uno is an American Producer/Rapper Born in San Diego, California. Dendai Uno made his rap debut in 2003 on Mouthpiece an LP by Dendai 1 & Young Bam. The LP was co-produced by Bambino and Quake Tha YG. In 2004 they would start a group called “Twomp Sak” and release a group project “The Legacy Episode 1” They disbanded shortly after.
News24hours staff : When was your debut into the music industry ?
Dendai Uno : In 2006, I have made my solo album debut, Tha Hood Representative , a 14-track CD produced by me and released by HellaBrazy Enterprises. It was distributed hand to hand and helped establish my name in the Southern California region.
News24hours staff : How did you build your music career ?
Dendai Uno : After the release of the debut musical album, later in 2007 , I have released “Tha Hood Representative Vol.2”. Grabbing the attention of Reggae mainstay Eek-a-Mouse, with help from Mouse and his management team my career got a much needed boost. Then I have produced my follow up LP “Tha Hood Representative Vol.3” in 2008, featuring the popular track “I’m Sauced”as a single.
New24hours staff : You have taken a break in between from the music career ? Why was that ?
Dendai Uno : After becoming very ill in 2009, I have taken a break from music and went to college to formally learn to teach music theory. I have also spent that year teaching hip hop classes at juvenile detention centers in the Southern California area.
News24hours staff : How did you restarted your career ?
Dendai Uno : In 2010, I have started a podcast that the late Jerry Heller accurately described as “The future of entertainment”. The Rowdy Report featured a West-Coast booking agent named J Rowdy and would host culturally influential hip hop artists and public figures. They were able to tell personal stories and confirm or dispel rumors on the show as well as interact with listeners live. The show aired well over 100 episodes, but was cancelled after the host faced legal troubles and later in 2011, I have released “The Cheese Fries and Tacos/ American Nightmare” double disc. It featured the infectiously popular “What He won’t do”, it was also my last project for a while. Then in 2016, I have released “Check to Check” a project where you see a more matured and edgy me, featuring singles like “#Toldyou”, and “Easy”, it showed the contrast between making singles and being an aware artist. Songs like “Jesus Wept”, and “Can’t Believe It” proved that I was definitely aware of the need to be marketable, and still be yourself as an artist.
News24hours staff : Thank you Dendai Uno, Thanks for your time.