DANTÉ KNOWS

MUSIC

Aug 1

Danté Knows music has once been described as “Psychedelic Hip hop Reggae Sonic Streamline”. If like me you can’t quite put those words together in your head all you have to do is listen to his newest track ‘Fable’. Created with his favourite musical collaborator Tasker the track is somehow sonically warm while containing an elevated heartbeat, and gives the exact sensation of the euphoria and spaciness of the thing he is describing (which is now legal in a lot of countries). New York raised, with a Jamaican and Guyanese heritage, and now Sydney based, based Danté is about to stretch out even further into a 2023 European tour. Before his world takeover he answered a few questions for Astrophe Ascends.

Outside of your art form, where do you find inspiration?
I draw the majority of my inspiration from moments that take place in my life. As long as I spend a day outside in the chaos, I’ll definitely be well prepped for a session.

Is there something you learnt early in your career that you have now disproven?
I learned early in my career that doubt is the death of all dreams.

Within your immediate circle of friends and family or chosen family who is your hero and why?
My mother has always been and will always be my hero overall. Despite just being mother and son, we’ve had the worst and best times of our lives together so our souls are tied. I also feel like I can say everyone in my life is some form of hero for the everyday role that they play despite the specifications.

How much of a role do other musicians play in your work?
I’m addicted to collaboration, every single song, including ‘Fable’, was written in a room filled with friends who are now family.

Is there a specific sonic theme, genre or instrument that you draw pure joy from?
I'm a big fan of a synth solo. Genre wise, I bounce around too much to claim a habitat in the music world.

How does visual aesthetic come to play in your work?
Growing up, most of my favourite artists provided not only the sonics but the visuals as well. I personally feel like it’s necessary for fans of your music to have a visual to add to the sonics in order to gain a better understanding of the artist.

What would be your ultimate song to cover?
Despite my lack of knowledge of the overall culture of covers, If there was a song that I would cover it would be “Microdosing” by O70 shake. The energy & instrumentation throughout that song is pure perfection.

Who is on your dream collaboration list?
Lil Wayne, A$AP Rocky, Fpos, Tame Impala, Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Iggy Dayshawn

Are there any creatives you'd like to platform right now?
Tasker is the most talented artist I’ve ever met in my entire life.

What are you holding whilst posing for an oil painting?
The head of a porcelain doll

What is your spirit animal?
Black Jaguar

People are coming over to dinner, what are you serving?
Oxtail, rice and peas, jerk, chicken, curry chicken, curry goat, stew chicken, beef patty, akee & salt fish.

If you could time travel, who are you visiting?
I would travel to the past to meet my great grandfather. My mother told me he was her favourite person ever, and I would love to know why.

What is your spirit animal?
Black Jaguar

Funeral song(s)?
Bittersweet Symphony the verve

What do you own that you should throw out, but can’t?
My taste for chaos.

You have a free plane ticket, where are you going?
I would use that free plane ticket to go to Brighton because I haven’t booked tickets yet, and that’s the first show of the UK tour.

If you were an ice cream flavor, what would it be?
Rum raisin