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Dorian (rapper)

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Dorian
Dorian in 2016
Born
Alton Dorian Clark

(1984-08-02) August 2, 1984 (age 40)
Abilene, Texas, U.S.
Other namesDorian, Duck
Alma materIndiana University - Bloomington (B.A.)
University of Central Florida (M.A.)
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2009–present
Children1
Parents
  • Alton Kevin Clark (father)
  • Deborah Lynne Clark (mother)
Musical career
GenresHip hop
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • percussion
LabelsGroup 82 LLC
Websitegroup82university.com

Alton Dorian Clark (born August 2, 1984), known mononymously as Dorian, is an American rapper, producer, songwriter, and basketball coach from Indianapolis, Indiana.

Early life

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Alton Dorian Clark was born on August 2, 1984, on Dyess Air Force base in Abilene, Texas. His mother named him after actor Dorian Harewood who was from his parents' native town Dayton, Ohio.[1] His father was an airman in the United States Air Force which caused Dorian to move 7 times before he was 10 years old.[2] Dorian's parents grew up during the 1970s funk era and frequently played artists such as The Ohio Players, Lakeside and Bootsy Collins which would later influence Dorian musically. Dorian learned how to read music when he was 9 while playing the trumpet in the elementary school band. In 6th grade, Dorian's family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where he played the drums in middle school and sang in his Baptist church choir from 8th grade until graduation from North Central High School.[3]

Career

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Basketball career

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After graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington, Dorian made 800 cold phone calls and sent 1300 cold emails in hopes of landing a basketball coaching job.[4] Dorian would get hired at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. In 2009, Dorian enrolled in graduate school at the University of Central Florida and coached high school basketball at Montverde Academy under Kevin Sutton.[5][6] In the offseason, he trained University of Florida basketball player Patric Young.[7] Dorian would also coach at Virginia Commonwealth University under Shaka Smart and Jacksonville University under Cliff Warren.[8] In 2012, Dorian wrote for ESPN's TrueHoop Network covering the Orlando Magic.[9]

Musical career

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Dorian performing on Prodigy's The Commissary Kitchen Tour in Los Angeles, CA.

On Valentine's Day in 2014, Dorian bought Apple's music production software Logic Pro X.[10] He taught himself how to make beats from YouTube tutorials.[11] In 2015, Dorian signed a digital distribution deal. On Valentine's Day 2015, Dorian released his first project, The D.U.C.K. Tape. Dorian then moved back to Indianapolis and began to work on his second project with music producer Joey French.[12] Dorian and Joey French met while attending Indiana University. In May 2015, Dorian released “Sunshine” as the lead single to his second album.[13] On October 28, 2015, Dorian released his second full-length LP Every Scar Has A Story.[14] Every Scar Has A Story was co-executive produced by Joey French and featured comedian Rob Sherrell.[15] AllMusic editor Paul Simpson says, "his production style and storytelling skills have more in common with 80s and 90s hip-hop (with Warren G and Dr. Dre as a primary influence)…but his sound encompasses more contemporary influences such as trap and Kanye West”.[16]

Upon moving to Los Angeles, California for his music career, Dorian released the single “Don’t Sleep” on YouTube. After the audio version received 60,000 views, Dorian released "Don’t Sleep" to music streaming services Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal in August 2016.[17][18] Dorian collaborated with Def Jam signee and Indianapolis rapper Mark Battles for the "Don't Sleep" remix.[19] The music video for "Don't Sleep" premiered on iHeartRadio's WZRL Real 98.3 Indianapolis.[20] In 2017, So You Think You Can Dance Champion Kida The Great choreographed a routine to “Don’t Sleep” that went viral.[21] Later that year, comedienne Jessica Vanessa used “Don’t Sleep” to score posts on Instagram.[22] In April 2017, Dorian received FM radio play with his single "Even Love Me" debuting on WRIU 90.3 FM.[23] Later that year, Dorian signed a music marketing deal with Journeys shoe store where his music video "Sunshine" was shown in all 1300 locations across North America.

Business career

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In 2018, Dorian founded the music consulting firm, Group 82. In October 2018, Group 82 received national recognition from the United States Chamber of Commerce for their economic success.[24]

Influences

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Dorian lists Kanye West's The College Dropout, JAY-Z’s The Blueprint, Eminem’s The Eminem Show, Nas’ Stillmatic and Yo Gotti’s Back 2 Da Basics as his favorite rap albums of all time.[25]

Personal life

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On June 17, 2019, Dorian announced the birth of his daughter Nova via Instagram.[26]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Album Details
The D.U.C.K. Tape
Every Scar Has A Story
True Support

Singles

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Title Year Album
"Sunshine" 2015 Every Scar Has A Story
"Don't Sleep" 2016 True Support
"No No" 2016 True Support
"Don't Sleep (Remix)"

(feat. Mark Battles)

2016 True Support
“Even Love Me” 2016 True Support
“#TooLit” 2017 True Support
“You Scared” 2017 True Support
"Michael Porter" 2017 True Support
"Rotate" 2018 True Support
"Dope" 2018 True Support
"Bout That" 2018 True Support
"Scroll" 2018 True Support
"She Like That" 2019 True Support

Videography

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Year Title Director
2017 "Don't Sleep" Darius Turbak
2017 "Sunshine" Darius Turbak
2018 ”Michael Porter” Dorian

Concert tours

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Supporting

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  • The Commissary Kitchen Tour (with Prodigy) (2016)

References

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  1. ^ "Interview with Dorian (Rapper/Producer)". CrazyPellas. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  2. ^ "About Dorian (hip-hop)". Sonicbids. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  3. ^ Cassell, Jacqueline (February 24, 2015). "Rising Artist: Dorian". Entertwine.
  4. ^ Cassell, Jacqueline (February 24, 2015). "Rising Artist: Dorian". Entertwine. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  5. ^ Collings, Buddy (February 6, 2010). "W. Park, Montverde roll". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  6. ^ Beasley, Adam (January 14, 2011). "Montverde assistant: De La Rosa a 'true center' | FIU Panthers Prowl". Miami Herald. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  7. ^ Hutchins, Andy (May 2, 2011). "Patric Young On His Development Goals: "Relentless ... Double-Double Machine"". SB Nation. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  8. ^ "Daily Dirt – 5/26/11 – HoopDirt". HoopDirt. May 26, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  9. ^ "ESPN NBA 2012 Summer Forecast contributors". ESPN. August 20, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  10. ^ Noel, Ruth (March 2, 2015). "In the Spotlight: Chicago Rapper-Producer Dorian – Tax Twerk". Tax Twerk©. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  11. ^ Frazer, Bear (January 25, 2016). "Dorian: Becoming The Master". Arena.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  12. ^ "WellconnectedWednesdays interview Joey French at Stopbeefinradio 103.7". Stop Beefin Radio. September 11, 2015. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  13. ^ "Dorian (46) – Sunshine". Discogs. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  14. ^ "About". DorianGroup82. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  15. ^ "Every Scar Has a Story by Dorian on Apple Music". iTunes. October 28, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  16. ^ Simpson, Paul. "Dorian | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  17. ^ Don't Sleep – Dorian, August 5, 2016, retrieved August 7, 2017 Spotify
  18. ^ "Don't Sleep – Single by Dorian on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  19. ^ "Dorian (46) – Don't Sleep (Remix) feat Mark Battles". Discogs. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  20. ^ Jones, Angelina (February 28, 2017). "New Music Video Alert: 'Don't Sleep' by Dorian | Angelina | Real 983". Real 98.3. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  21. ^ Kida The Great (June 7, 2016), NewGeneration916 dancing to #dontsleep by @doriansucks, retrieved August 7, 2017 YouTube
  22. ^ "Instagram post by Jessica Vanessa • Mar 31, 2017 at 11:32pm UTC". Instagram. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  23. ^ "SubmitHub – Dorian, WRIU 90.3". SubmitHub. June 28, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  24. ^ "United States Chamber of Commerce: Small Biz Of The Week (3 Q's with Dorian Clark: owner Group 82 in Los Angeles, CA)". page.uschamber.com. October 2, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  25. ^ Gouma, Nora (February 20, 2015). "Interview with rapper and producer Dorian -". Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  26. ^ "Dorian announces birth of daughter". www.instagram.com. June 17, 2019. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021.
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