Michael “Dapa” Daniel, an accomplished Bay Area artist, songwriter, producer, and engineer grew up surrounded by saxophones, drums, keyboards, and the perilous streets of Richmond, California.
The product of a strong spiritual upbringing and a dejected home-life impacted by drugs, Dap Daniel, spent many of his adolescent years pouring out his frustrations on paper. With songs from influential artists like L.L. Cool J, Rakim, and Run-DMC emanating from his Filco radio, Dapa’s affection for the sound and flow of music began to grow. In high school Dapâ?Ts love for music deepened as he fine tuned his skills through the school run music engineering program allowing him to master his keen sense of sound and further fuel his musical passion.
Dap Daniel spent the early millennia using his production and musical acumen to work on projects for or with artists such as Mr. Kee, Dutch, Kevin Richardson (Backstreet Boys), Frontline, Erase-E, D. Ross, Certified Ryders, AP-9, and Flii Stylez, just to name a few. Dapa’s musical collaborations included group projects and performances with Mr. Kee and Dutch as the rap group, F.E. (F*ck Everybody). Dap has also written for and recorded a song with Marcus Polk (TV show ‘Brandy’).
In 2005, Dap Daniel, sunk his teeth into the film industry when he wrote and recorded tracks for the Lions Gate Original Motion Picture and Sountrack, RIZE. The soundtrack and movie, which received worldwide attention, also featured the vocals of Lauren Hill, Flii Stylz, Planet Asia, and Christina Aguilera. Following the success of RIZE, and performances on the 3sixty5 Entertainment Group 2005 West Bound Tour, Dap Daniel, extended his musical reach to U.S. and Japanese racing enthusiasts. Dapa’s energetic tracks can be found on the pulse pounding, adrenaline packed documentary, Drift: The Sideways Craze, released in 2007.
Dap Danielâ?Ts current projects include his upcoming December 2009 CD release, “Theme Music,” with distribution through Universal and backed by Realizme Records. â?oTheme Music,â? has several salutes to Dapâ?Ts home-town of Richmond and features Dapâ’s multifaceted sound of hood, rock, and ballads delivering in songs such as ‘This Is Richmond,” “California Rocks” and “She Is” respectively.
Winding down his busy 2009 schedule, Dap Daniel, is focused on the success of his CD with eyes set on 2010 joint ventures and tour dates currently taking shape with other Realizme Records artists; Caliente, M.O.D., and Mr. Mainy. The summer should also prove exciting with the release of Disney’s Step Up 3-D, planned for an August 2010 premiere, which Dap worked on under the musical direction of Tone Talauega and Flii Stylez.
Dap Danielâ?Ts musical passion and precision are at the cornerstone of this artistâ?Ts success and continue to open doors and knock down stereotypes which keep him from being just another Bay Area artist. Dapa’s versatility to produce both commercial and underground music allows him to take experience and creativity and harmonize them into a sound that reaches global audiences.
Where can we hear your stuff?
You can hear my latest music on myspace.com/dapdadidaman. Also, I’ve been getting a lot of radio play, especially in the South, like in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana. You can also check me out on iTunes, Rhapsody, and ReverbNation. Just Google DAP DANIEL and there I am!
How did you get that name?
Well I didn’t have all the namebrands growin’ up but whatever I did have I dressed neat in it.I was known for that. A couple people around town started callin’ me Dapper Dan and since my last name is Daniel anyway it turned into Dap Daniel or Dap Dan for short. So I usually go by either Dap or Dap Daniel.
What has been your biggest accomplishment?
Gettin’ involved with movie soundtracks like ‘RIZE’ I have to say was one of the biggest things I’ve done. Oh, and recently performing at the Core DJs retreat. That was big!
What has been your most difficult challenge?: My most difficult challenge has been to own and operate dream studio. It’s tough work running a studio, but it’s a passion so I embrace it.
What makes you different?
My awareness that something has to change in rap music. And I’m not afraid to say what I want about it.
What projects are you working on?
Currently I’m working on my album ‘Theme Music’ which drops December 8th, 2009. The project is bananas, so I’m excited about it. Also I’m involved in putting out some new talent.
Where are you from originally?
Richmond, California, man. Born and bred.
How Long have you been making music?
I was about 11 when I first got into making music. But I started taking it seriously, thinking about it as a career when I was 16.
What artists inspire you?
Dr. Dre, Rakim, and Jay-Z. Three artists that make the music they want to make and the people love them for it. That’s what I aspire to do. Make music I believe in and that the people want.
How would you define your style of music?
Honestly, I just do music. I don’t go in the lab and try to make something that sounds like this person, or has the edge of that person. I get in the lab and do what comes to me. So if that means a feel good track like my single CAR WENT BOOM, or if that means making a track like SHE IS, or I’M ON BASS, then that’s what I do.
What teams are you affiliated with?
The BroHydes, the Gylatean Crew, and the DreadNoughts
Who are some artists that you have worked with? : I have worked with Kevin Richardson (BackStreet Boys). I’ve dropped verses with Ray Love, Shock G (Digital Underground),and B Legit.
Who would you like to collab with?
Jay-Z. What can I say? I want to work with the best.
Where do you see the future of music?
Music will always be here. It will evolve but there will always be a need for the beat everywhere on the planet…It’s a life force.
Where do you see yourself in 1 year?
Rockin’ the charts, accomplishing a few of the things I want to, and setting more goals and going after them.
Describe yourself in one word………..
DRIVEN!
Any shout outs?
I like to send a shout out to the whole Richmond, California. It ain’t about sides, it’s about pride, so let’s go! To everybody who been down since day one .And a shout out to Big Theo of Realizme for believin’ in me and makin’ it happen. A shout goes out to TC Thompkins too for hooking me up. Wassup to my boy Greede Greg and everybody else who contributed to the success of DAP.
Email: [email protected]
Web Site URL (if applicable): www.dapdadidaman.com
MySpace URL (if applicable): myspace.com/dapdadidaman
Management Contact Info:
Big Theo, Realizme Entertainment, [email protected], www.realizme.com