Doxx // Interview

The 22-year-old rapper from a small town near Metz in the East of France, talk to us with a dazzling kindness to tell us about his influences, his musical ambitions and his notion of happiness. The one who gave everything to see his career take off, speaks to us with great humility of the choices that pushed him towards music and the relationship he has with his fans. Doxx – whose real name is Dorian – told us without any taboo how he started his musical journey following a heartache that will lead him to reach millions of views on You- Tube gathering thousands of followers thanks to his true sincerity. Although he has always done everything in his power for his desire for musical recognition, he doesn’t forget where he comes from and always has a word to thank his fans in particular in the song ‘Merci’ that he dedicated to them. Once again, one can only fall under the spell of the young rapper.

Can you tell me a little more about your beginnings in music? I started music eight years ago now and it really started from nothing. One night at the boarding school, I needed to express how I felt after a breakup... It just started this way. In the end, I really enjoyed the emotion it gave me and since that day I've never stopped. And little by little, I find myself here now. (laughs)

Speaking of breaking up, I often hear that your fans discovered you after a heartbreak and that your music helped them get better... It must be strange being a young artist and hearing "Man, I’m going through a heartbreak and your sounds are helping me get over it"? Honestly, it’s not that awkward... It’s the purpose of my music to share things with people and to write down what they feel. Heartbreaks are common to everyone, and generally, we all go through the same emotions. It means a lot to me when I hear that because I feel like I’ve been able to help people and it’s rewarding.

Don’t you think it’s a pain sometimes to always be referred to a “melancholic rapper”? It’s just annoying from the moment I try to do something else in my music and I get blamed for it. Writing sad songs makes you a sad person and I don’t feel like locking myself in that role and making more heartbreak sounds anymore. Past is past and I want to try something else now. But at some point, I don’t mind being associated with this melancholy theme because I wanted it at the beginning and it remains a recurring theme in my songs. In the end, my grief is still my best weapon because it’s what made me know from my current audience.

Two years ago, I heard that you studied cooking before you got into music... Yes, I did a professional baccalauréat in France everything went well, but from the moment I wanted to go to university, I quickly realized that it wasn’t for me. I knew right away that I wanted to get 100% into music.

Did your family support you in this process? At first, they were a little reluctant, that’s true, but I would have reacted exactly the same if I had a child who had said to me: “I quit everything to get myself into music.” It's kind of scary. Then, when they saw that it was working pretty well for me and also that I was very happy with what I was doing, they were very supportive.

Have you ever regretted your decision? It’s true that it's a difficult environment and it’s hard to stand out, but for nothing on earth, I would get rid of music. And if I had to start all over again, I’d make exactly the same choice.

Can you describe the particularity of your Rap to an English audience? I’d say it’s a very chill Rap with quite rock sounds, with a lot of guitar and piano. On the vibe’s side, it’s more melancholic and closer to what XXXTentacion used to do. He’s an artist that I admired a lot.

Are there artists who inspire you in terms of careers and musicality? I would say Nekfeu. In term of musicality, he’s very strong, and I also love what he represents. He’s a true source of inspiration with his texts and beats. However, I listen to quite everything, so I’m also inspired by rock sounds and that’s what makes my sounds so diverse.

It’s amazing the pace at which you chain up projects... In 2018 you released three EPs. You must have already several recorded songs... Not really actually. (laughs) I’m always creating new songs. I don’t like to be idle, I always have to embark on a new project. For the future, I think I’ll take my time and really get deeper on the creation process and come up with something even more perfected than before. Every artist tries to reach perfection. I’ve done so many projects that I haven’t had time to make video clips for some of the songs I wanted to. It’s a small mistake I did, but the main thing is that all these projects have made my fans happy about it and that’s the most important thing.

Speaking of your clips, there really great and the visual is crazy especially in 'Ca Va Mieux'... Who do you work with? I almost always work with a Belgian video maker named Guillaume Dubois. He’s the one who made half of my videos. It’s true that they are very good and that the rendering is great, but we both would like to push things even further in the video making because we know that we are not at 100% of our capacity. What is holding us back is the lack of means, of budget... It’s not easy sometimes, but we can work on these things to make it possible.

I guess it’s hard to create your network? It’s something difficult that’s true, to develop our network, have your list of contacts... It takes time to build a career. I’m not from Paris and it was very hard for me to break into music because our chances are not the same if we’re not from the capital. Everything’s going a lot faster there but I won’t let it get me down.

What about the beatmakers? Personally, I don’t compose music, it’s never been my thing. In term of composer and producer I often surround myself with Higrec, he’s excellent in what he does and he’s also a good friend of mine. I often ask for beatmakers to send me instrumentals by mail and then I make my selection before I start writing. If I have a theme idea in mind it’s important for me to talk about it, but I’m more focus on the beats before starting to write anything. It’s important that the beats match with my states of mind. The main stuff with my music is to talk about how I feel.

It’s impressive, your videos make millions of views on YouTube, but you still give the impression of being an ordinary young man that we might meet randomly even though you generate thousands of followers through your social networks... How do you manage this notoriety? I’m still a normal guy you know. Millions of views have changed lots of stuff in my life but not the person I am. I stayed in the city where I grew up, I still hang out with my friends... The essential is to be yourself, to be humble and to never become arrogant. You always have to remember where you come from.

In ‘Oh Merde’ you say: "And the life as a star is coming closer, I can see it. At least, it will save me and tell me: 'Don’t jump'."... Is celebrity something you’re not afraid of? It’s scary, but I also make music for those things like earning money, take care of my family’s financial condition... And above all, to personally grow throughout my songs. Music saved me for sure.

It’s honest to talk about money, a lot of people avoid the subject... It’s human to want to make money, we’re all like that. If you can do something you love while earning money, it’s the perfect combo. You shouldn’t miss it. The most important thing is to be passionate about what you do.

You have a wonderful writing and the lyrical side of your Rap is something that often stands out when we talk about you... Have you always had this talent to play with words that way? I only talk about what I feel without giving me a hard time. Obviously, I add a little technique and sensitivity to what I write, but it’s something quite natural for me. I really write by instinct.

We always feel like you’re trying to share a message in your songs... In ‘Nuit Blanche’ you say "Listen to my songs it’s my way of talking to you" and in ‘Parle-Moi’ in feat with Tsew The Kid you say "Your name begins with an S" you also continue in 'Crier' when you say "All my words, all my songs only wanna reach one heart"... Is music your way of confessing yourself? I’m always true and honest in my music... If the person for whom I’m writing these texts, listen to these songs where I am sending a message, I’m happy because I was able to express myself and say what I feel. Everything is always simpler through my music.

What’s next? I’m working on my live tour, which will take place in September, October and November. Nothing makes me happier than meeting my fans who come to see me in concert. I have a new project that will also come out around the same time. I’d like to show a new universe through it while remaining myself. I'd like to have the chance to play Zenith one day. [e. d: One of the largest concert halls in France that can welcome up to 9.000 people].

Doxxtv

Words © Fanny Hill Scott Photography 1 © Guillaume Dubois 2 © Mathilde Miossec