Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin Floyd aka Dope Dev.
Hi Devin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been around music my entire life. Being born in Virginia my younger years consisted of the sounds from The Neptunes, Clipse, Missy Elliot, Timbaland….and so many more east coast legends that I would listen to at an early age. Of course, my parents would always jam the oldies (Isley Brothers, Al Greene, Sade, etc) I loved all these sounds at such an early age. It wasn’t until I grew older and made my way to Houston that I began my true journey as an artist. By this time I knew music across all genres and formed a little group by the name of DA thus the birth of Dopedev’s golden years haha. I would literally do my homework while in school just so I can leave from school, go straight to the homie’s spot, get in tuned with some earth-made inspiration then listen to beats all day long. We thought we were the biggest hip hop heads because of the producers/artists we would listen to like no one else was on the same wave haha.
Eventually, we got older and our goals were different from one another. Life gets real really quickly. At the blink of an eye people can switch paths and that’s okay it’s human nature, however, no matter what hit me in life I stayed close to that pen, pad, and the laptop and kept it pushing. There I was on the music scene. Venues with maybe twenty people in the crowd rapping until I ran out of breath pretending it was my first time every time.
I felt like I became really great at what I do, I’m capable of producing my own music, I’m heavy on writing, still learning engineering but I’m still learning all the above as well. On my path to become one of the greats I realized that music is my way out of my head, where I can be free and I can create this world for myself and others to enjoy. I realized that there’s nothing else that I’d rather do than create art for the world to witness..
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nowadays things are a lot more smooth than before. I’m in a positive mindset and as you keep working at your craft (or your gift as I would call it) there’s no way you can’t gain more knowledge about what you do. No way you can’t learn more about yourself along the way. I’d say the biggest fault I had along the road was just learning how to surround myself with people who have the same drive as I do or similar goals that would never cause harm to myself or my family. You’re only as great as the company you keep and early on I had a weird judgment of some peoples’ character. It only anchored me down until I decided to keep sailing on my own wave.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Well, I do work for a very wealthy airline company so I have my work cut out for me as far as time management with the music but it’s a blessing. I’m able to go wherever I want whenever I want now despite the pandemic. It’s pretty sweet actually. I’m proud of myself for keeping a job this long. Usually when I’ve had enough I just stop going. So yes I’ve had a lot of jobs haha. This airline stuff is cool when it’s not digging into my time. A couple of us that work for the company did a short musical film for the company which was kind of like a movie soundtrack themed project. That was awesome. The company actually used it as an ad so I’m praying that they bring that commercial to television. That would be sick..
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Dadopedev@gmail.com for inquiries. I don’t mind working with anyone that knows what they want and has a brilliant idea about something. I’m not like other artists I reply….sometimes…just make sure you’re clear on your message. Oh yeah, and money talks. If it requires my time I’d like to get paid for it. You should too.
For my supporters thank you so much for this journey love you all. For those who would like to support: Dope Dev (all streaming platforms)
Contact Info:
- Email: Dadopedev@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsdopedev/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/itsdopedev
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/dev1001000
- SoundCloud: SoundCloud.com/dopedev
- Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/mainstream/1578945178
Image Credits:
Devin Floyd
