By Tora B
Kansas City is known for many things, from the Royals to the Chiefs and the bebop era of Jazz. Planet Ill homie Techn9ne carries the Hip-Hop scene on his back as well. As part of our ongoign initiative to bring new artists and new music to the masses, Planet Ill sat down with Kansas City native artists Domineko, who combines jazzy influences with a 90s sensibility to put forth a new movement. Here are the results. Enjoy.
PlanetIll: What inspired you to release the LP, Wood Floors?
Domineko: My inspiration for the LP came from my overall life experiences over the past 4 years. Yes, Wood Floors took 4 years to complete. I’ve had a few of those instrumentals for that long. I’m also in a 3-piece rap group called Yawn Johnson and we had just dropped our self-titled debut. Once I we had released that album it was like the pilot erupted and I knew it was time.
PlanetIll: “Knock Knocking” featuring Le Izmore, and produced by Ecid, is the lead single released from Wood Floors. What this song for your debut track?
Domineko: Actually the first release was the Mike Hurst track entitled “Happy Home”, then “Knock Knocking”. The motivation behind that being a single was to display a sense of real Hip- Hop. Luckily, fellow Midwesterner Les Izmore helped me achieve.
PlanetIll: Each beat has this mid-90’s De La Soul, Tribe Call Quest, and Common Sense feel. What sound were you looking for to craft this album or was it intentional to have that 90’s sound?
Domineko: I really wasn’t looking for any specific sound. It all just happened natural. I feel like the 90’s feel came from my subconscious. I don’t want to be all churchy but I just keep praying while grinding and networking. Pretty much everything eventually fell in my lap.
PlanetIll: Kansas City is the mecca of Jazz music. What Jazz artists influenced the style that you have today. Does your beat selection reflect your hometown influence?
Domineko: I’ve always listened to jazz but only just recently have I been able to soak it in. My girl put me on Miles Davis and Coltrane. Charlie Parker is also a great listen. When it comes to my instrumentals, because of Jazz as a genre, I’m a sucker for smooth. I’ve always been an oddball though. I feel like I’ve just now perfected my style if any, lol.
PlanetIll: What is next for you as an artist?
Domineko: The rest of this year will be all about Wood Floors. From networking to the visuals we still have in the works. Building the Domineko brand itself will also be a main focus. As new music goes, I’m probably going to fall back and just do features for a good minute. Two big things I want to concentrate on is finding a booking agent and keeping a good relationship with a PR. The one I’m working with now is pretty legit. I’m hoping to take our business relationship to the next level. I like her energy.
PlanetIll: Do you have any upcoming performances?
Domineko: I have my LP release party on June 6th at this street art gallery called Kultured Chameleon. Shout out to Lee. He owns that place. He’s helped so much. Then I have a show on the 14th with Les Izmore and D/Will. They form a duo called Heartfelt Anarchy. They both blessed Wood Floors with their talents. I’m thankful to share songs and now stages with their local powerhouse. After the 14th, I really wanna take some time and invest in myself. Focus on getting out of Kansas City to those listeners out of town, state, and one day the country.
