Dominic Ross Hunn (born August 22, 1984),[1] better known by his stage name Dom Kennedy, is an American rapper from Leimert Park, Los Angeles, California.[2] Since 2008, Kennedy has released 5 independent mixtapes, most notably his 2010 critically acclaimed mixtape From the Westside with Love.[3] His first commercial studio album From the Westside with Love II was released on iTunes June 28, 2011.[4] Despite it being his iTunes debut, FTWSWL2 received "a top 10 spot on Hip Hop/Rap albums chart during its release week"[5] and was Kennedy's first album associated with The OpM Company, Kennedy's self-established record label. His song "My Type of Party" was ranked by Complex at #43 in the magazine's Best 50 Songs of 2012 list.[6]
Dom Kennedy | |
|---|---|
 Hunn in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Dominic Ross Hunn |
| Born | August 22, 1984 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | OPM (Other People's Money) |
| Website | DopeItsDom |
Early life edit
Dom Kennedy was born on August 22, 1984, in Los Angeles, California. In an interview with music media outlet IMFlashy, Kennedy describes his childhood growing up as "normal".[1] After his parents' divorce, Kennedy moved with his mother to Leimert Park.[7] Kennedy played baseball to get out of the inner city to stay safe and out of trouble. He also played basketball everyday from the age of five to the age of 16.[8] Upon graduating from Santa Monica high school,[9] Kennedy enrolled in Santa Monica College, a two-year junior college in California, majoring in business management. In an interview with Dr. Josh Hamilton in October 2012, Dom gave his reasoning on why he entered college and what his plan B would be.
"I mainly focused on business management while I was there, not really thinking about music per se at first, but just on life. You know, like damn if I wasn't rapping or doing anything with music that was kind of where I saw myself in the world. I always hoped I could be an entrepreneur, you know I guess, but thats the aspirations of many people but I just felt like if I was going to learn about anything I might as well learn about structures of corporations, or at least find out everyone's job."[10]
Music career edit
Working with his cousin Jason Madison,[7] Kennedy released his debut mixtape album 25th Hour in 2008, instantly producing a buzz throughout the south side of L.A. In particular, the song "Watermelon Sundae" was widely played on local radio stations and performed live throughout the area, bringing more attention to Kennedy's music ambitions. Around this time, Kennedy's cousin Madison was a film student at Loyola Marymount University,[7] sparking the beginning importance of visuals in Kennedy's later projects.
After his 25th Hour debut, Kennedy released 2 additional mixtapes in 2009; Best After Bobby (the title referring to "Bobby" Robert F. Kennedy), and Future Street/Drug Sounds. For the Best After Bobby mixtape, Kennedy collaborated with West Coast heavy hitter DJ Sour Milk and the Los Angeles Leakers, producing an instant buzz in underground circles across the country.[11] Within the first hours of dropping the mixtape, Kennedy amassed over 10,000 downloads,[11] officially solidifying his name among some of the top rappers in L.A.
However, with the release of From the Westside With Love in 2010, Kennedy became a major hit throughout the underground hip hop scene in L.A. Gaining over 100,000 internet downloads,[12] With the success of From the Westside With Love, Kennedy became a major player on the independent circuit, traveling for performances throughout and outside the country; including a show in Djibouti, Africa.[2] Kennedy also began releasing an extensive amount of visual material at this time, including From the Westside With Love music videos for songs such as "1997", "Locals Only", and "The 4 Heartbeats".
In early 2011, Kennedy released his 5th studio mixtape The Original Dom Kennedy, a tape meant to reflect Kennedy's individuality and sound as an artist. In an interview with MTV News reporter James Lacsina, Kennedy described the project as something that was a testament to himself in the rap game as well as the city he proudly represents:
With The Original Dom Kennedy, it was a time for me to take a stand in music. The way we grew up and our lifestyle, being kids from the inner city of Los Angeles. I just felt like that was missing.
— Dom Kennedy, from an interview with Brooklyn Gipsone
Kennedy also took a personal stance in the mixtape against major hip hop DJ and producer Funkmaster Flex.[2] On his song "The Homies", Kennedy takes shots at Flex's disparaging remarks regarding the late California rapper Tupac Shakur: "Shit I heard Funk Flex say that Pac ain't shit/ and I hope when you see him that he slap your mouth/" In 2011, Kennedy performed at premier film festival South by Southwest's Music Matters Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The show was hosted by cable entertainment network Black Entertainment Television.[13] Both his performance and that of East Coast rapper J. Cole's were featured online by major, hip hop music magazine The Source (magazine). Kennedy performed his first show outside of the U.S. also in 2011 in Djibouti, Africa.[14]
Following the release of From the Westside With Love II, Kennedy headlined at The Key Club in West Hollywood, California, alongside fellow West Coast rappers Overdoz, Epic Twelve, and Black Cobain.[15] Marketed as the show on "7.1.11", the event was sold out, prompting another show the following week, marketed as the "7.7.11" show.[16]
In 2012, Kennedy traveled throughout Europe and the United States for his Yellow Album World Tour. The tour started in London in October and wrapped up in San Francisco in December.[17]
In early 2013, Interscope Records attempted to sign Dom Kennedy, however he chose to remain independent. His second studio album Get Home Safely was released through his The Other People's Money Company record label on October 15, 2013. The album featured guest appearances from Skeme, Krondon, TeeFLii, Ty Dolla Sign and Nipsey Hussle. Get Home Safely debuted at number 29 in its first week, selling more than 10,000 copies in the United States.[18]
On June 2, 2015, Dom Kennedy released his third studio album entitled, By Dom Kennedy.[19] The album peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200,[20] selling 9,000 copies the first week. On December 23, 2016, Dom Kennedy released his fourth studio album entitled, Los Angeles Is Not For Sale, Vol. 1.[21]
Dom Kennedy teamed up with Hit-Boy in order to create their own Hip-Hop group entitled Half-A-Mil. They would go on to release three self-titled EP's that dropped sporadically throughout late 2016 into mid 2017.[22][23][24] Then later officially released their debut album Courtesy Of Half-A-Mil on November 24, 2017. In 2019, Kennedy was featured in Kehlani's song "Nunya" from her mixtape, While We Wait.[25] He also appeared in the song's music video, which was released on February 20, 2019.[26]
Additional information edit
In 2014 Dom Kennedy signed Los-Angeles based rap group, Warm Brew to his independent-label OPM.[27][28]
Influences edit
Kennedy is often heard proclaiming his hometown rep one liner "Leimert Park what's cool". As a kid, Kennedy describes himself as being highly influenced by artists such as "The Notorious B.I.G., Outkast, 2Pac, and LL Cool J"[1] through the fact that by simply listening to their music, he could feel a sense of where they were from. With his music, Kennedy does the same thing, bringing the feel of the inner city streets of L.A. to anyone willing to listen. In an interview with Hip Hop DX, Kennedy talks about the influence behind the L.A. sound in his music:
If anything, and I can only speak for myself, I think that I’m trying to do it like DJ Quik did it, or Ice Cube did it, but this is just my way of doing it therefore I guess it’s natural. But I’m not trying to do anything, you know, different or to say, ‘This is new.’... I set out to do it the way they did it, just in my own way.
— Dom Kennedy, from an interview with Nadine Graham[7]
Kennedy has rapped over a wide range of past and present hip hop beats in his career, consistently bringing the element of L.A. and West Coast hip hop to his music.[29] Such beats include Big Poppa on the track "Notorious Dom" (25th Hour) and Best I Ever Had on the track "Best You Never Had" (Best After Bobby). South by Southwest reports major music executive John Monopoly as saying "He is going to get signed".[12]
Musical style and recognition edit
In 2011, Kennedy was recognized as one of the leading artist in a new wave of West coast hip hop artist.[30] Dom Kennedy is known for his laid back flow, wordplay and unique storytelling.
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | US Rap | ||
| From the Westside with Love, II |
|
96 | 19 | 12 |
| Get Home Safely |
|
23 | 4 | 3 |
| By Dom Kennedy |
|
23 | 3 | 3 |
| Los Angeles Is Not For Sale, Vol. 1 |
|
- | 42 | - |
| Courtesy Of Half-A-Mil (with Hit-Boy) |
|
- | - | - |
| Volume Two |
|
- | - | - |
| Also Known As (with Hit-Boy) |
|
- | - | - |
| Rap N Roll |
|
- | - | - |
| From the Westside with Love Three[32] |
|
- | - | - |
Mixtapes edit
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| 25th Hour |
|
| FutureStreet/DrugSounds |
|
| Best After Bobby |
|
| From the Westside with Love |
|
| The Original Dom Kennedy |
|
| Yellow Album |
|
| Young Nation |
|
| Best After Bobby 2 |
|
| Addicted to The Underground |
|
Guest appearances edit
| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Get Through" | 2010 | Casey Veggies | Sleeping In Class |
| "Real Estates" | Currensy | Pilot Talk II | |
| "Racing Stripes" | Smokee Robinson | ||
| "Fat Raps (Remix)" | King Chip, Chuck Inglish, Big Sean, Currensy, Asher Roth, Boldy James | Finally Famous Vol. 3: BIG | |
| "She Needs Me (Remix)" | Kendrick Lamar, MURS | Overly Dedicated | |
| "Don't Forget The Swishers" | King Chip, Pac Div, cArter | Independence Day | |
| "Friends.Women.Money" | 2011 | Fly Union | TGTC (The Greater Than Club) |
| "Menace II Society" | Freddie Gibbs, Polyester The Saint | Cold Day In Hell | |
| "I Need That" | Nipsey Hussle | The Marathon Continues | |
| "Counting My Money" | Overdoz | Live for, Die For | |
| "No Stress" | Skeme | The Statement | |
| "Pow Wow" | Smoke DZA | Rolling Stoned | |
| "Walk In The M.O." | 2012 | Freddie Gibbs | Baby Face Killa |
| "Grooveline Pt. 1" | Schoolboy Q, Currensy | Habits & Contradictions | |
| "What's Ya Name" | Skeme | Alive & Living | |
| "Another One" | Ty Dolla $ign, T. Mills | Beach House | |
| "This Yick" | 2013 | YG, Joe Moses | Just Re'd Up 2 |
| "She in My Car" | Casey Veggies | Life Changes | |
| "Hella" | Wale, YG | The Gifted | |
| "Checc Me Out" | Nipsey Hussle, Cobby $upreme | Crenshaw | |
| "H-Town" | Nipsey Hussle, Cobby $upreme, Teeflii, Skeme | Crenshaw | |
| "Shoppin" | Niko G4, Jay 305 | Roll The Dice | |
| "Throw Your Hood Up" | 2014 | DJ Mustard, Royce, RJ | 10 Summers |
| "Life Jacket" | DJ Quik, Suga Free | The Midnight Life | |
| "Lord Knows" | Ty Dolla $ign, Rick Ross | Sign Language | |
| "Golden State of Mind" | 2015 | Fashawn | The Ecology |
| "After Hours" | Glasses Malone | GlassHouse2: Life Ain't Nuthin' But | |
| "Actin' Up" | Casey Veggies | Live & Grow | |
| "Dusk 2 Dusk" | 2016 | Pete Rock, Smoke DZA, Big K.R.I.T., theMIND | Don't Smoke Rock |
| "Bad Azz" | 2017 | DJ Quik, Problem, Bad Lucc, Boogie | Rosecrans |
| "Pretty Girls" | Jay 305 | Taking All Bets | |
| "On da Low" | Niko G4 | Roll the Dice 2 | |
| "Double Up" | 2018 | Nipsey Hussle, Belly | Victory Lap |
| "Full Effect" | Warm Brew | New Content | |
| "Don't Rush" | P-Lo | PRIME | |
| "The Hook Up" | Smoke DZA, Cozz | Not for Sale | |
| "Main Thang" | Eric Bellinger | Eazy Call | |
| "7AM in Beverly" | 24hrs | HOUSES ON THE HILL | |
| "Leave LA" | 24hrs, Ty Dolla $ign | ||
| "Stop Playin'" | 2019 | Casey Veggies | Organic |
| "Staring at the Ceiling" | Eric Bellinger | The Rebirth 2 | |
| "Chin Checc" | J. Stone | The Definition of Loyalty | |
| "Nunya" | Kehlani | While We Wait | |
| "Gold Daytonas" | The Game | Born 2 Rap | |
| "Five Hundred Dollar Candles" | |||
| "Orange Juice Wit Dom'" | 2020 | Larry June, Cardo | Cruise Usa |
| "Lebron James" | J. Stone, Nipsey Hussle | The Definition of Pain | |
| "Over the Limit" | Benny The Butcher | Burden of Proof |
References edit
- ^ a b c "JUST BE COOL - AN INTERVIEW WITH DOM KENNEDY". Archived from the original on February 11, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
- ^ a b c Gipson, Brooklyne (2011-03-11). "Interview: Dom Kennedy Talks New Mixtape & Wanting 2Pac To Slap Funkmaster Flex". Complex. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- ^ "Ozonemag.com Interview: Dom Kennedy". Archived from the original on December 19, 2010. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
- ^ "DOM KENNEDY REVEALS 'FROM THE WESTSIDE WITH LOVE 2′ RELEASE DATE". Archived from the original on May 30, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
- ^ Meara, Paul (2011-07-26). "Dom Kennedy Reacts To The Success Of His First Retail Mixtape". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- ^ "Dom Kennedy "My Type of Party" - The 50 Best Songs of 2012 - Complex". Complex. 11 December 2012.
- ^ a b c d Graham, Nadine (2011-02-03). "DXnext: Dom Kennedy". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- ^ Pablo, J. "Q&A: Dom Kennedy On The Yellow Album, Maybach Music Group Rumors, And Funkmaster Flex's Tupac Comments". Village Voice. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- ^ "Dom Kennedy Visits His Old High School in 'After School' Video". The Boombox. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
- ^ "Dom Kennedy: The Best Rapper Alive ‹ Professu". Professu.com. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- ^ a b "SUPPORT THE HOMIES: DOm Kennedy | 3rd Eye Drops". 3rdeyedrops.wordpress.com. 2010-04-03. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- ^ a b "Dom Kennedy". Archived from the original on March 19, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
- ^ SXSW (2011-03-18). "Archive". archive.is. Archived from the original on 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "ViDeo: Dom Kennedy In Africa | HiphopSouth | Watch Us Bring It On". Hiphopsouth.wordpress.com. 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- ^ "Ticketfly | Buy Tickets". Keyclub.com. 2015-12-28. Archived from the original on 2011-08-28. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- ^ "Ticketfly | Buy Tickets". Keyclub.com. 2015-12-28. Archived from the original on 2011-08-26. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- ^ Kennedy, Dom. "Dope Its Dom". Retrieved 30 April 2013.
- ^ Ju, Shirley (2013-10-30). "Dom Kennedy Says He Wanted Creative Control From Record Labels". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- ^ "By Dom Kennedy by DOM KENNEDY on Apple Music". itunes.apple.com. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
- ^ "Dom Kennedy". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
- ^ "Los Angeles Is Not for Sale, Vol. 1 by DOM KENNEDY on Apple Music". itunes.apple.com. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
- ^ "Dom Kennedy & Hit-Boy (Half-A-Mil) Team Up to Release Their New Joint EP 'Half-A-Mil 3': Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
- ^ "HALF-A-MIL". SoundCloud. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
- ^ "Stream Dom Kennedy and Hit-Boy's 'Half-a-Mil 3' EP - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
- ^ Alston, Trey (19 February 2019). "Kehlani and Dom Kennedy Confront the Ashes of a Bad Relationship on 'Nunya'". MTV.
- ^ "Kehlani Celebrates Her Freedom in 'Nunya' Video Featuring Dom Kennedy". Billboard. 20 February 2019.
- ^ AllHipHop (19 January 2015). "Warm Brew Talks Signing to Dom Kennedy's Label OPM And More - Exclusive Hip Hop News, Interviews, Rumors, Rap & Music Videos | Allhiphop". allhiphop.com. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
- ^ "Warm Brew Sign With Dom Kennedy's OpM Imprint; Drop New Song "Can Ya Blame Me"". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
- ^ "Features : Dom Kennedy: From the Westside with Love". Archived from the original on 2011-04-22. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ "Back to Cali: New School West Coast Rap". Pitchfork.com. 2015-09-04. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
- ^ "Dom Kennedy Announces Self-Titled Third Album". BallerStatus.com. May 16, 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Dom Kennedy - From the Westside with Love Three". Apple Music. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
