Philadelphia, a city with a rich music history, is currently in an odd space, especially in the Hip-Hop realm.
As a native, I spent much of my adolescence enamored by local artists like Beanie Sigel, State Property and Eve who impacted the culture on both a national and global scale. But those days are long gone, leaving Meek Mill to tote the torch for my city. His hometown pride is appreciated, but the MMG spitter represents a small portion of wordsmiths whose musical talents span long past gaudy, boisterous street raps.
Fortunately, rising rhymesayer Dayne Jordan is among a new class of up and comers, filling the void and diversifying the palette of rap music being offered from the City of Brotherly Love.
Formerly known as Dosage, the MC possesses a lyrical ability and global perspective most of his peers –– in Philly or elsewhere –– cannot fathom. His lyrical prowess, and more importantly, his perspective are on full display on his latest project, a nine-track EP titled In Progress. Donning only one feature, listeners are schooled by a lyricist whose skill level has yet to plateau.
Who: Dayne Jordan is a Philadelphia-bred MC, whose music managed to pique the interests of DJ Jazzy Jeff and James Poyser. The music mavens in turn handled a bulk of the production (mostly Jeff) on the rapper’s In Progress EP.
Credentials: With an array of projects to his name, including 3D11, Jordan has proved himself to be a quality spitter.
Fun Fact: Before the legendary Jeff and Poyser took Jordan under there wing, it was Lupe Fiasco who took a liking to him. So much so that he wound up touring with the Chicago native.
—
Photo: Instagram
Hip-Hop Wired: Your core following have come to know under the moniker “Dosage” before you reintroduced yourself as Dayne Jordan. At what point did the name change become a viable decision?
Dayne Jordan: It was actually a smooth transition due to the fact that every since I released my first project, “Sand & Foam,” I have been making references to my real name. Honestly, I did that more than I used my stage name (Dosage).
HHW: Do you plan on rebranding the sound of your music to accompany the name change?
Dayne Jordan: I don’t plan on rebranding the sound, but I have put a lot of emphasis on expanding it.
HHW: Considering that a project is an audible piece of cinema, which song on In Progress best sums up what you were trying to accomplish on this body of work?
Dayne Jordan: I would have to say “Wash it Down.” That phrase alone speaks volumes for me because I once had a mentality that I couldn’t shake. It wasn’t until I began to travel when I realized it. I had to literally wash down my way of thinking. I don’t want to sound as if I’m being too philosophical but with water being considered to be one of the purest things known to man, it’s healthy to mentally be in the same space.
HHW: How did working with the legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff and James Poyser develop your creative approach when crafting songs?
Dayne Jordan: Both of them create unconsciously. They go in the studio and things just happen. I’ve seen James sit at a piano and play things that will make you want to make love to a women and then start a revolution within a few minutes. He’s a genius. Jeff is unpredictable. He has “tools” that he enjoys to use, but you never know what is going to come out of what he is crafting.
HHW: What’s one gem that DJ Jazy Jeff has taught you about the industry?
Dayne Jordan: Keep the music first and create without boundaries. He always talks about how easy it is to get lost in the industry and how important it is to stay focused on what got you there.
HHW: Philly, in particular, is a musical town, but one which at its height of prominence in the Rap never truly developed its own sound (Sigel, Eve, etc. signed with labels which had a sound in place). Sonically, do you see In Progress sparking that change in the city’s new crop of artists?
Dayne Jordan: It’s hard to say because I can never truly analyze the sound that everyone hears based upon what we create. When I’m in the studio, in most cases, I don’t even think about it. I enjoy going in with an open mind and doing what ever feels right at the moment. I guess time will tell…
HHW: What’s your current relationship with Lupe Fiasco?
Dayne Jordan: Lu is the big bro. He’s always showing love. Go and get his album Tetsuo & Youth 1/20/15!
HHW: What are three things you want listeners to get from In Progress?
Dayne Jordan: The truth first. Inspiration second. Passion third.
