Saturday Spotlight: Dominque “DMINQ” Robbins
Dominque “DMINQ” Robbins is an American R&B/Soul vocalist, songwriter, producer, arranger coming to you from the box state, Colorado. DMINQ is a classically trained vocalist and musician having played the violin, viola, cello, percussion, and drums. DMINQ has also been afforded many opportunities to play for a good number of Gospel and Christian artists during his teenage years under The GMWA: Gospel Music Workshop of America organization. He even became a choir director and a worship leader at two of his local churches.
His solo artist journey began in 2009 when he signed to local record label Confidential Records. He released four mixtapes under them and after parting ways in 2013 he went fully independent, and in 2018 he released his debut album “THE DISASSEMBLY OF ME”, which was well received by many of his peers and followers.
But, in 2019 DMINQ went silent musically taking some time to focus on his personal life and other things. A year later in 2020 DMINQ came back with eleven singles such as “WHAT YOU WANT” “ALL I WANNA DO” and “U LUV ME 2” just to name a few. DMINQ was even featured on out rapper Prince Cat-Eyez comeback album “9 LIVEZ” in late summer of 2020.
Since then, DMINQ has been working on new music and other ventures such as his new studio coming soon to the Arkansas Valley Area. DMINQ also signed with Marshall Park Entertainment in 2020 as well, giving him the boost he needed for his new album “30” coming this summer.
Since signing with Marshall Park, DMINQ has released two new singles from his new album “DRUNK" featuring QUINCY TYREE and “TONIGHT”. DMINQ also started the Artist on Artist platform with the help of good friend Sev7en Taylor that is exclusively on YouTube. DMINQ is becoming a force of nature in this industry and we all look forward to what he is going to do next!
Catch up and catch on in the latest installment of our Saturday Spotlight series, where DMINQ gets into life in small town Colorado, LGBTQIA representation, R&B's relationship to Gospel, and the power of following your true calling. Right now and only on Hype Off Life 👊🏾
Colorado has a bubbling music scene these days. What is life like out there, especially as an artist?
Life in Colorado is pretty cool, especially now that I am living in a small town. I am learning a lot about small town life and how to appreciate the simpler things instead of the glamour of the bigger cities. As far as being an artist I’ve had ups and downs, but I can say that now I am getting in position to make an impact and hopefully be an inspiration to others coming behind me.
You were heavily involved in the gospel music scene as a teen. In what ways has that experience shaped your sound?
My experience in gospel is what inspired me to listen to genres like Jazz and R&B more often. To me R&B is just gospel but more honest and sometimes more explicit depending on the artist. But, as far as my sound especially my current sound I just reverted back to the feeling that Gospel music gave me, hearing those minor chords and how different musicians would flip and freak the sound of the keys during service and how the drummer, especially me would break out with a cool bop of a beat that just changed the entire energy of the song. That’s what inspires my sound today.
2019 found you taking brief hiatus. Why did you decide to take a step back?
So, 2019 was a hard year and a year of firsts for me. I was working a job out of the city, so I would drive an hour or more to work everyday working 45 to 60 hours a week. Got into a car accident with a moving truck which totaled my car. And just many other things which hit me hard mentally and emotionally, so I really couldn’t make music the way I wanted to or the way I felt. It’s interesting that it took me a year to get through and over all of those things, but that’s life I guess. You live and you learn.
What takeaways and insight did you get as a result of taking time out for yourself?
Out of taking that break I learned that I am stronger than I thought I was. I learned that I have a purpose and that there is a plan for my life, but I needed to get in alignment, not just naturally but spiritually. Now musically, a lot of good music is coming from all that I experienced so that energy is being used in a better way.
Put out those albums, put out those singles, put out those photos, sculptures, paintings and do it over and over and over
So, you’re dropping a new album this summer, “30”. What’s the concept behind it?
So with “30” I honestly just wanted to have fun and usher in this new decade of life for me with a bang, but still give people what they liked from me in 2020 and 2018 in terms of sound and writing.
Aside from the album, what are you most excited about for this upcoming summer?
I’m excited to perform honestly and to network with other artists and producers as well as remodel our home.
The Hype Homie, Sev7en Taylor is also a good friend of your’s. What do you respect most about his artistry?
Sev7en is a great artist, I like that he is himself but I also like his penmanship. He is saying what he wants but in a creative way that hits your emotions, and you’re not offended because of the wordplay. Love that about him.
You two recently started the Artist on Artist platform. What is your main goal for the platform?
Our goal for Artist On Artist is to give a space for other LGBTQIA artists that need it to share their art and to also network and meet others who are in the same place with the hopes they would eventually come together and create or at least be a support for each other. We have witnessed this for many of the artists that have connected with us. We all follow each other on FB and/or IG, we encourage each other and share music with each other. It’s a family and that’s what we want.
Why do you think it’s important for artists to keep going, even when they don’t get the recognition they feel they deserve at first?
I am a big advocate for keeping it going! I have realized that music is everything you want and need but the power behind it is far greater, so if this is truly what you want to do keep doing it. Put out those albums, put out those singles, put out those photos, sculptures, paintings and do it over and over and over, but do it because you love to do it and do it because you know that is your purpose and calling! I am finally getting somewhere after eleven years and it’s because I love it more today than I did then.
How else do you plan on paying it forward when you get on?
I plan to do music festivals that will focus on more independent artists and not just the popular ones; everyone deserves a spot. I also want to join the committee for a pridefest as well. And lastly I want to start an education program on production that is easily accessible and is geared toward the demographic each artist is trying to reach. That’s what I am really trying to focus on now and encouraging others to do the same just like a few did for me.
Anything else we should know?
The only things you need to know now is to follow me on IG: @dminqlovelifeart FB: DMINQ and TWITTER: DMINQOFFICIAL YouTube: DMINQ OFFICIAL
Oh, and if you are reading this and you are in Colorado or will be in Colorado or if you just want to support I am performing for BOULDER PRIDE VIRTUAL June 14th, DENVER PRIDE VIRTUAL June 27th and I am doing a special YouTube Live to celebrate my new album “30” that will be on June 19th, 2021 at 7pm Mountain Time! I can’t wait to connect with all of you!
