Domino Grey Letters and Numbers
Domino Grey Letters and Numbers
I’m an iron-clad warrior with an iron will and indomitable spirit. I forge ahead with total conviction and do not care what others think about me or my music. Well, most days. I try to have the usual industry-standard thick skin and take most reviews of my music with a grain of salt. I mean, mostly it’s only a mofo’s opinion, aint it? As an artist I tend to make music for other people. No, scratch that. I make music for myself, but I release music for other people’s enjoyment. The stuff that’s strictly for me stays on the hard drive. I do my best to respond to criticism, complaints and, believe it or not, even special requests. I usually answer most letters or comments that are sent my way. The stuff that’s positive is great, the stuff that’s negative gets ignored- I mean, if you don’t like my music, my attitude is “move along citizen, there’s nothing to see here”. What I consider most important is when someone likes my records and suggests what I could do to have them like it more. That’s huge. And so, when I got this letter, I read it several times and aw shoot, here it is:
Just listened to the album. My thoughts are that it does show progress on the Domino Grey side. However, I will stand behind the fact that it is not commercially viable; it is more niche viable without a doubt. In order to do commercial music, you must be in tune with the current scene as it shows that 99% of it sounds the same. Your music does not sound like 100% of the music they make-which is a plus in terms of differentiation but bad as a commercial vehicle. I prefer the hip-hop side of Dynamics Plus because I believe he wasn’t truly promoted to his core audience and had and still has the tools to be an underground superstar.
My first reaction was, eh no big deal. Some cat likes my raps better than my dancier stuff. The buzz behind my music has been the same for years. “That Dynamics Plus (also in the rap group Lenzmen) don’t give a crap about nobody or sales or anything. He just does what he do and keeps it moving”. Not exactly true. I care about the people that support my music. I write to the best of my creative ability because I care. If a dude says “Dynamics Plus is the best lyricist of all time” I want that person to have the songs and quotes to back that up. I want to hear killer lyrics so I write them as best I can. The Lenzmen were completely opposed to commercial success. It was a badge of honor to be considered underground and known to select few- like we were too deep for the world to ever appreciate. And I think we would have quit a long time ago if it ever became hip to like The Lenzmen. We actually ran from opportunities, but I’m no longer an angry rebellious teenager and I no longer think every rapper sucks besides us. Well okay, deep down I still kinda do. But that’s a tangent for another day. The letter goes on to say:
Domino Grey is not a commercial artist, but an extension of a commercialized underground universe. That is where I see him. Ideally, we must walk our own journeys in life: if you want that commercial admiration and financial success with Domino Grey, you have to negate 20+ years of mainstream defiance you had with your hip-hop and truly commit to that goal. Lady Gaga, Rhianna, Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry is Top 10-20 radio. Make songs with true intensions to shop to them-listen to their music and make it fit for them-not what you want to hear.
Ouch. I guess what this person missed about Domino Grey is that he has the same outlook as Dynamics Plus and his abstract, super-complicated, scientific raps. I make electronic music that melds multiple genres and pushes the envelope as I hear it. I want the world to enjoy it, but on my terms. When I make music, I don’t think Dollars and Cents, I think Knowledge and Sense. I have some very talented artists involved with the Domino Grey albums. I can appreciate it if they are inspired by the top names on the music scene, but it’s a foolish notion that I would invest this kind of energy into being a clone of someone else or be happy doing more of what’s already being done. I apologize to all those involved if you believed my aim was to make a ton of money off making electronic music. I came to do the same thing I’ve always done. Sound like me and hopefully give you something fresh and pleasing to listen to.
Let me know if I have succeeded. Hit me at the usual places.
*Added a new Facebook link on the left.
You can preview my music on iTunes.
– Domino Grey Fall 2011
The Dynamic Universe Blog 
In my personal opinion, a true artist is one who keeps it simple….create whatever you want. Artistic license is being able to express yourself whether by singing,rapping,painting,etc. What a (recording artist) does is cater to his or her audience, however, one must first establish that audience, then fan and artist can grow as his or her career takes off. I think Dynamics Plus has done an excellent job in producing some incredible work, however, tastes and preferences vary. Some people think lobster is one of the greatest things on earth while others cringe at the sight of it on the menu. Domino Grey is an aquired taste, but a damn good one.He does what he does because he loves what he does, period. And while it wouldn’t hurt to make a few dollars on the way, the bottom line is that he stays true to himself, and no amount of money or fame can change that.
Thanks for saying that.