Flawless Hustle.com Exclusive The 10 Question(s) Q&A Session Series: Dominique Larue

Interview by Dub MD
www.twitter.com/dubmd84

The 10th edition of the 10 question(s) series is with a female emcee hailing from Columbus, Ohio. Dominique Larue is a breath of fresh air offering an unique and artistic perspective for modern day hip hop, shes an artist that is most definitely determined to bring back lyrics to female mcs. Last month she released her debut album “From Ohio With Love” which in stores and online right now, in addition to that she has began work on a slew of EP’s and mixtapes for the rest of 2009/10. R.I.P. to female emcees? i think not! Dominique sits down with us to talk about his new album, coming from Columbus, Ohio, and her writing process when it comes to her projects.

Dub MD: Dominique, what’s good fam? For those who don’t know, could you just give a short review of what you’ve experienced in your music career up until now?

Dominique Larue: One of the major things I’ve experienced in my career is rejection and acceptance all in the same minute. First the listener is like, oh she’s wack and I know why the listener feels this way. He or she has encountered many wack female rappers so they automatically assume I am as well. Then when they hear what I have to offer all that negative energy turns into positive and I’ve gained a new fan.

Dub MD: Coming from Columbus, how does coming from there shape your attitude to the music/culture? and what do you think of the Ohio music scene right now?

Dominique Larue: Being from Columbus is great because it shows that one can find dope music anywhere, it doesn’t have to be in some gigantic city that breeds hip hop. However being from Columbus has a huge downside because this isn’t a city one can automatically blow without leaving.

You must leave, you have to or you’ll remain here ready to give up on your dreams. The hip hop scene is cool, its definitely not like it used to be with hip hop events taking place almost every weekend. To be honest I haven’t really been too involved with the local scene lately because I’m busy trying to get things cracking in other cities.

Dub MD: Your new album entitled “From Ohio With Love” is out right now, can you give us a little background on the album, and why should heads go
out and cop that above everything else that’s out right now?

Dominique Larue: Essentially the actual name came from the movie From Russia With Love but the underlining meaning is me coming to terms with where I’m from. We don’t support each other here like if you’re affiliated with one crew, you choose to not affiliate yourself with another because of your affiliation with your crew.

If we all pulled our resources together, we’d be an unstoppable force. But as I traveled to other cities, I realized that this is everywhere no matter where you go. So we’re no different then anywhere else in terms of problems, so I’m like f*ck it, I’m from here it made me who I am today and I’m gonna take Ohio with me where ever I go.

If you have been feeling like you’re missing that feminine presence in hip hop then you should definitely cop this album. I have songs where I’m showcasing that believe it or not, female emcees still exist and yes we still spit! My plan with this album and with everything else I’m doing is to let the world know that its not over for us, give me a chance and I will not let you down.

Dub MD: With this new album, what artists and producers did you connect with this time around? and what’s your label situation like just now?

Dominique Larue: I’m very excited that I have Illmind, Kev Brown and J.Rawls a part of this project. As well as up and comers D/Will, Severe and drielb. The album is pushed thru Famous Records, Corp but distributed by Universal. I’m very fortunate to have this situation for my first album ever. I have fulfilled my contractual obligation with them and hopefully in the future I’ll come across a bigger situation.

Dub MD: Your currently in the studio working on a new mixtape  project called “End Of Regulation” as a free download, what’s the concept  behind that and when can we all expect to hear it?

Dominique Larue: I’ve been putting in overtime on this mixtape! and, its the end of mediocrity. Its time for us as artist to step our games up and mine is being stepped up on this mixtape.

Dub MD: Where do you get the inspiration to write the type of  material you do? What is the writing process like when it comes to working on  your projects? And why do you think mc’s that keep integrity in their music, never make a real mark on soundscan?

Dominique Larue: Inspiration comes from the music that I dig the most. Like Dilla, his music inspired me early on to make dope, feel good music. The writing process definitely comes from that inspiration but I don’t force anything, I always let it come to me because that’s where I’m most creative.

I feel that our music doesn’t really reach sound scan or even make a noticeable mark on sound scan is because the label giants are only looking for quick hits. Nice gimmicky singles to get the ring tones cracking but when the artists’ album comes out, FLOP! But yet, some labels are still looking for something fresh but I still feel that they are still afraid to go full speed ahead with something that has substance although the people are really yearning for it.

But it is what it is, there is a market for independent music, a huge one and quite frankly, independent is definitely the way to go. I may not get play on MTV but don’t forget about MTV2, MTVU and MTV Jams.

Dub MD: Your in the minority of few females in the game with real lyrics and a story to tell, what do you think of the current state of female emcees in hip hop just now? and which ones are you feeling right now?

Dominique Larue: Well of course we are depleted but I know that there are up and comers out there who just have not had their chance yet. You can’t tell me that there are none out there doing their thing, we just have not heard about her or even cared to find her. I’m optimistic that we will make our presence known again, maybe I’m just wishful thinking but that’s how I feel.

Really the only female emcee that I’m feeling straight up right now is MC Lyte, she has been doing her thing from years on in and is still putting it down, that’s huge.

Dub MD: What do you think is your most defining and unique characteristic that sets you apart from every other artist out there? and how  would you describe your style to those who still haven’t heard your  music?

Dominique Larue: I think that the main thing that sets me apart from other is my versatility in music, I’m new to most but when you really start to get in tune with my music you’ll realize that I’m not just doing one thing or making one sound. I’m a fan of music and I convey that in the different kinds of production I choose.

My niche is definitely soulful hip hop but I also do gritty in your face type music, or conceptual songs where I’m telling a story, beginning middle and end. I talk about love a lot because I’m such a firm believer in it and you’ll definitely hear that in music.

Dub MD: You’ve rocked a lot of stages in your career, If I’m coming to a Dominique Larue show. What am I going to experience, that I won’t experience from just listening to your material on CD?

Dominique Larue: Crazy. I’m all in your face, you might think it’s nuts on the track just see what I can do on stage. I also do a variety of music in my shows, I might do a few tracks where I’m going in on tracks and I might slow it down for a song so the crowd can see another side of me. Then I’m right back in your face. I feel like with every show I’m
giving a first impression so I can’t give lackluster performances.

Dub MD: What is on tap for Ms. Larue for the rest of  2009 and beyond? do you have anything to say to the fans? anything you wanna get off your chest? any shout outs?

Dominique Larue: Well of course the mixtape with you, End of Regulation. I’m also working on an EP with drielb that is currently untitled. A conceptual EP called Love Desperation and this just in, a short but sweet EP with Judah (on the beat) and those are the jump offs in the near future.

Me & Antman Wonder have been discussing a project together so please know I’m going to be putting in major work and you’ll be hearing more from sooner than later. Shouts got to my whole Clockwize Entertainment, Get Money Enterprises family, Columbus and the rest of Ohio, I’m telling you we are a diamond mind for talent, don’t sleep.