I2G chilled with M-Dot for an exclusive interview. We discuss his start in hip hop, upcoming projects and much more so check it out.
I2G is here with M-Dot, how’s it going?
Thanks for reaching out man. Happy holidays & happy new year. Things are great. No complaints.
For those unfamiliar with your music, tell me a little bit about your start in hip hop and some of your musical influences.
My name is M-Dot (Jake LaDotta) I am an MC who grew up as well as currently lives in Boston MASS. I’ve loved music as long as I can remember (not just rap). Used to collect records when I was younger and would play them on my mother’s old record player. Influences range from James Brown, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., to Nirvana, Gangstarr, Big Pun, Redman, Outkast/Goodie Mob, all the way to “the Kinks, Billy Ocean, Les Claypool, Bob Segar & more I could name, but we don’t got enough space in this interview lol.
Just love listening to music, even though there’s only so many notes it’s still essentially limitless with what sound can experiment with. I started writing early on, probably 8th grade. Started recording by 10th grade. Did the recording on a tape player “two tracking” with the record player playing any vinyl instrumental b sides I had hahah. When I got to college is when I began performing paid gigs. After that I took it lot more serious. It’s about ten years since I graduated and here we are.
What projects do you have in the works for 2015?
“Ego and the Enemy”. My debut album which the aforementioned “Shine” is extracted from. Got a super dope production lineup for It. I’m honored to have accumulated the team of producers I have. Aim is to make something special. The CD will be released in 2 parts. Hoping to have em released 8 or 9 months apart.
Also working on a group project with my crew EMS.
Do you have any upcoming videos?
Yeah I shot several pretty crazy visuals when I was on tour in Europe back in September. They’ll be dropping accordingly leading into the albums’ over the next months. Amped to share as they are extremely different shoots for me.
Tell me a little bit about the experience working with Method Man on the Shine track.
I didn’t get in the studio with Meth. But we have crossed paths previously at shows. Man he’s a legend and a superstar so I wanted to do the best I possibly could. I ended up blacking out and recording 32 bars hahah (supposed to be a 16). My homie DC (Soulplusmind) is a Cali producer I’ve known for years and he set the record up. He sent me it with Tical’s vocals on it, I laced my part and then we just waited on Meth and his people who had to ok the song (since it was their song firstly, I was merely a feature at time) and they approved it. Then they both (DC, Meth) gave me the green-light to use it for my album and that was that.
Do you have any upcoming shows or tour dates?
Planning Europe again for March/April. Have to still finish this album though. So we’ll see. I do shows in New England as well in between tours. But my goals are always to keep going back to EU since touring is the most advantageous for me.
What is your website information?
Working on new website. In meantime you can go on…..
www.facebook.com/mdotboston
www.twitter.com/mdotboston
www.soundcloud.com/mdotboston
Appreciate your time, any last words or shout outs?
Thank you again for setting this up. Appreciate all your support. Let’s keep building.
My last project “Jake LaDotta” is available online if you want a warm up before the album. Just google it. You can download free copy for audio. Or buy the physical version too.
Cheers!