Dendai Uno is an American Producer/Rapper Born in San Diego, California. Dendai Uno made his rap debut in 2003 on Mouthpiece an LP by Dendai 1 & Young Bam. The LP was co-produced by Bambino and Quake Tha YG. In 2004 they would start a group called “Twomp Sak” and release a group project “The Legacy Episode 1” They disbanded shortly after.
In 2006, Dendai made his solo album debut, Tha Hood Representative , a 14-track CD produced by Dendai Uno and released by HellaBrazy Enterprises. It was distributed hand to hand and helped establish his name in the Southern California region. In 2007 Dendai Released “Tha Hood Representative Vol.2”. Grabbing the attention of Reggae mainstay Eek-a-Mouse, with help from Mouse and his management team Dendai’s career got a much needed boost. He produced his follow up LP “Tha Hood Representative Vol.3” in 2008, featuring the popular track “I’m Sauced”as a single.
After becoming very ill in 2009 Dendai would take a break from music and go to college to formally learn to teach music theory. He also spent that year teaching hip hop classes at juvenile detention centers in the Southern California area.
In 2010 Dendai would start a podcast that the late Jerry Heller accurately described as “The future of entertainment”. The Rowdy Report featured a West-Coast booking agent named J Rowdy and would host culturally influential hip hop artists and public figures. They were able to tell personal stories and confirm or dispel rumors on the show as well as interact with listeners live. The show aired well over 100 episodes, but was cancelled after the host faced legal troubles.
In 2011 Dendai Released “The Cheese Fries and Tacos/ American Nightmare” double disc. It featured the infectiously popular “What He won’t do”, it would also be his last project for a while. In 2016 he released “Check to Check” a project where we see a more mature and edgy Dendai Uno, featuring singles like “#Toldyou”, and “Easy”, it showed the contrast between making singles and being an aware artist. Songs like “Jesus Wept”, and “Can’t Believe It” showed he was definitely aware of the need to be marketable, and still be yourself as an artist.
Q: When you decide it’s time to make a new record, is that more exciting or stressful?
Ans: I think it’s always a little of both. The planning and release stages can be stressful. Once I get that first song done though, the rest just comes naturally.
Q: How do you shut things out?
Ans: Performing in front of larger crowds feels easier to focus in what on I’m doing. It those intimate shows where I find myself kind of zoning out to focus on my performance.
Q: How easily do songs tend to come to you?
Ans:I only make songs when I feel the inspiration. I make beats every day though, so if I’m really feeling the beat I will freestyle the song out. For the most part, all of my songs are done that way.
Q: What’s your motto or the advice you live by?
Ans: Stay solid. Do what’s best for you but never step on people to get it done.
Q: Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to sing as a career or just advice about careers in general?
Ans: Don’t quit. Master your craft and try to get better at it everyday. Be honest with yourself about where you can improve and do it.
Q: When and why did you start playing?
ANS: I started playing music when I was 12. I learned to play the trombone, by the time I was 14 I was making rap songs on old instrumentals I could find. By 16 I was making beats.
Q: Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones?
Ans: E-40 – In a Major way& Charlie Hustle, Brotha Lynch Hung – EBK, OutKast – Aquemini, pretty Much all the soul music from the 70’s and roots reggae.
Q: How do you handle mistakes during a performance?
Ans: Keep going, most people won’t notice if you make a mistake. They will notice if you stop to correct it.
Q: Do you teach music?
Ans: I did at one point. I taught hip hop at juvenile detention centers, now I just teach my kids.
Q: How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?
Ans: Most people make time for their family, I make time for my music. Most of the sessions include my family anyway because my kids are learning how to make music they always want to be involved.
Follow Dendai Uno On Social Media :
Instagram/@Dendaiuno
Facebook.com/swillahD
Snapchat @dendaiuno
Tiktok @dendaiuo
Twitter.com/dendaiuno
Clubhouse @dendaiuno
Thanks for taking time out of your day:)
