When Atlanta suddenly became the Mecca for hip-hop music it made it a lot harder for a lot of people wanting to break into the game. Atlanta was now not only filled with natives who wanted to make it but people from all over the states were traveling there to try and break into the business. Before you knew it a person couldn’t walk down the block without tripping over a would be rapper, producer, or executive.

But like with anything else in life, hard work is key and nobody works harder than Atlanta native, Dolla. Through his constant grind Dolla was able to stand out from the pack and secure himself a deal with Konvict Music. From local star to major artist, Dolla is ready to take the next step in his career and become a force in hip-hop.

Sixshot.com caught up with Dolla to discuss growing up in the ATL, his relationship with Akon, and what really happened with 2 Pistols.

Sixshot.com: What’s up Dolla, how you been?

Dolla: I’m good man, everything is good.

Sixshot.com: All right bro, give us a little background. Tell us how you got into hip-hop.

Dolla: You know man it was just the black culture of hip-hop that attracted me. Plus you’re in school and in the streets and you get exposed to it. Around your family you get exposed to it. It just seemed like it was all around me so that’s what I picked up.

Sixshot.com:What were you doing to get your name out there that you were able to get the attention of these major labels?

Dolla: I mean I was in a group and we were always into something. We did talent shows, showcases, regular shows. We were just doing what we had to do here in Atlanta to get our name out there. Eventually Akon saw us and that’s how I got the situation I got with him. I was like twelve years old at the time.

Sixshot.com: Akon is a worldwide superstar. What’s it like working with him?

Dolla: Yeah man it’s a real good look. I mean like you said he’s a worldwide superstar and I’m trying to be a worldwide superstar so I really couldn’t be in a better position. On top of that my relationship with Akon goes deeper than just the business. I’ve known him since I was twelve so he’s like a big brother to me. To be able to have somebody that’s a friend and that you can do business with is real cool.

Sixshot.com:You said you were doing a lot of showcases and whatnot. I know how many people are trying to make it in the music business in Atlanta. Did you find that it was hard to stand out amongst so many artists?

Dolla: What I think is if you be yourself and be original then it’s never going to be hard to stand out no matter how many people are out there, you know? You gotta make sure you’re different and not just doing what everybody else is doing. And if you do that and you’re true to yourself then people are going to take notice. We were always able to do that and it was a lot of work but everything turned out great.

Sixshot.com: Was it a big transition going from being in a group to being a solo artist?

Dolla: There are definitely a lot of differences between being in a group and being a solo artist. When you’re in a group it’s a group effort and you have to collaborate on idea and come up with concepts together and basically you have to work as a group and do everything as a group. When you’re a solo artist you pick the beats, you make the hooks, you write lyrics, and you can really talk about what you want to talk about. I feel like there’s a lot more freedom in being a solo artist. You have more creative control and you can go in whatever direction you feel like going in. If you want a certain artist to feature on a record you can set that up. Basically you can do what you want to do and it’s a great to have that creative control.

Sixshot.com: Growing up, were you influenced by a lot of the artists in Atlanta?

Dolla: I was definitely influenced by artists in Atlanta but not just Atlanta. I was influenced by artists from New York, Los Angeles, everywhere. Tupac has a big influence me. I think he was a great artist. Biggie, Jay-Z, T.I., Andre 300, UGK, so it wasn’t just Atlanta. Wherever there was real talent and real rappers I was influenced.

Sixshot.com: Music that comes out of Atlanta can sometimes have a pretty distinct sound. If you had to describe your music and your sound, how would you describe it?

Dolla: I wouldn’t really try and describe it because I feel like that leads to comparisons and I don’t want my music compared to anybody else’s music. I think if there are similar sounds if anything the rapper sounds like me.

Sixshot.com: You had a situation with 2 Pistols at an award show and that was the talk of the town for a minute. Can you tell us what really went down with that situation?  

Dolla: Man basically we just had an altercation. He dealt with it how he dealt with it and I dealt with it how I dealt with it. That’s really all I’m going to say. We’re trying to not really talk about it too much anymore.

Sixshot.com: Being linked up with Akon do you feel like you’ve been getting a lot of exposure?

Dolla: Yeah absolutely man because you know I get to roll with him to business meetings and be exposed to different people and associate with different people so I would definitely say yeah. And it’s not only the business reasons, you know what I’m sayin’? That’s my folk.

Sixshot.com: Being around all that do you feel like you’re picking up a lot and learning a lot?

Dolla: Yeah man I mean I’m only twenty years old and I got a twenty-year-old mind so I’m still learning. I’m just picking up everything like a sponge. Every process that I go through and everything I see, I’m just picking all of that up as I go along.

Sixshot.com: I know you said you did a lot of showcases and whatnot but what would you say was the main marketing tool you used to really get out there to the point where people really started to take notice of what you were doing?

Dolla: I wouldn’t really say we had a marketing tool, you know? My thing was always work, work, work, and work. My team and me we’re all young so our thing was just to get out there and work as hard as possible.

Sixshot.com: Where do you see yourself in the future in terms of hip-hop? Just a hundred million strong man, that’s where I want to be. A lot of artists in today’s industry want to set up their own labels and have their own artists. Is that something you’re interested in doing? 

Dolla: Yeah that’s actually something I’m doing right now that a lot of people don’t know about. I mean I’m signed to Akon but I got a situation where I handle a lot of things myself. I want to do something like Jay, Diddy, or Master P did you know? I want to secure that so my family could eat for years.

Sixshot.com: Is it a big difference between running a label and being an artist?

Dolla: My thing is this man; if you conduct your business like a man and do what you gotta do everyday then everything is gonna work out.

Sixshot.com: All right Dolla so tell us what you got coming up that we could look out for.

Dolla: Mixtape is coming soon. The album is coming soon, Dolla and a Dream.

Sixshot.com: Anything you’d like to say to all your fans out there?

Dolla: Much love to all the fans because without ya’ll I wouldn’t be where I am today.

www.myspace.com/dolla