Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Washington.
Brittney, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a military brat, I have lived in many different cities and countries, including London, England, however, I am a true “Westsider” as some may say, being raised Phoenix, Arizona which is the special place that I call home. I currently reside in Smyrna, GA, and have been living throughout the city of Atlanta for the past ten years and I can now truly call Atlanta, GA my home away from home.
One thing that has been consistent for my entire life is my love and passion for music. I just love how much music fills your heart with joy or with sadness or with every emotion imaginable. I love how music can touch and impact so many people because music is what truly makes the world go round. I have been singing probably before I even knew my ABC’s but by the age of three, my parents noticed the special gift I had for singing. When I was young, my mother was a professional singer and music surrounded me. Also, growing up in the church, praise and worship music, and especially Christian and Gospel music has been instilled in who I am today as a vocalist, lyricist, and musician. Although singing and writing songs is something I have always enjoyed doing, it wasn’t until recently that I began to take it seriously. On my 33rd birthday (My Jesus Year) is when I decided it was truly time to start my musical journey and fully invest in fulfilling my dreams to become an artist. And just like that, I became a Christian Artist. I wholeheartedly feel that my purpose and life calling is to be a light to others and share my love for Christ through my music.
My artist’s name is Dolcé, which means sweet or sweetly and is also a musical indication to play an instrument sweetly with a light touch or to play or sing in a tender, soft, and adorning manner. I felt Dolcé was the perfect name for me as it truly describes my voice and the way I sing. I released my 1st single “In Love” this past Valentine’s Day and a 2nd single “On God” in April. They are both available on all streaming services and I also released a video for my song “In Love” on my YouTube Channel. I have been recording and working on new music that I cannot wait to share with everyone very soon!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons make lemonade, well for me I simply just give it to God. As a new independent artist gracing the music industry, I have found that often times, well, most times, if you want something done, you must get it done yourself. I have learned to become a true multifaceted team player on my team of 1. I knew that once I began this journey, it was going to be a lot of hard work involved but I was willing to take the risk and put in the effort. The best thing I have done was investing in myself and staying consistent, I made the decision to put my all into my dreams by praying, planning, preparing, and positioning myself for all of the visions and dreams that were inside of me. I made sure to purchase all of the studio equipment needed to build my own home studio, I learned how to engineer and record myself for all recording sessions, I created my website and curate/create all content for my branding and marketing, I also ensure to write and arrange all of my songs, and I support and collaborate with other artists and producers to create beautiful music, and that’s just some of the fun! 🙂
I believe in myself and I was determined to do the one thing people said I couldn’t. Strangers, associates, and even friends have told me, “The Christian world is not going to like your music because it’s not the traditional gospel music” or “You should just do R&B music because that is what your songs sound like, don’t talk about Jesus” or “You don’t look like the typical Christian Artist, you should change your image and how you dress.” The list of complaints and people telling me not to sing or make this type of music happens often. My journey even started with others taking advantage and misleading me, and stealing my songs and music, portraying it as their own by those who I thought were trustworthy. However, those instances have only pushed me to work harder and keep going.
As a full-time Delta Air Lines flight attendant, a full-time graduate student (I just graduated on 5/11/20 with my MS Degree in Digital Audience Strategy from Arizona State University), a caregiver for my mother who was diagnosed with Colon Cancer, along with being a full-time artist, I have used my challenges and obstacles as fuel. Fuel to empower me to try my best and to be great and show and lead others to do the same. I hope that my music impacts and inspires others and gives them hope and encouragement to always keep going, keep loving, and keep living the best lives they can possibly live.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
My given name is Brittney but my chosen name is Dolcé and I am a singer/rapper & songwriter who has graced the Christian music scene a little differently than most. When I decided to do music, I was determined to do so to be a light to follow and spread the gospel to share God’s beautiful story with those who are unaware of Christ’s unwavering love. What I am most proud of with my music is that it is my original work as I compose, write, and arrange all of my songs. I truly enjoy writing because it is very therapeutic and being able to articulate my thoughts into words and words into songs and make it relatable as well as candy to the ear is a gift that I truly thank God for. I honestly can say that He gives me the words and I just piece them together, so He gets the credit, the glory, and the praise for it all!
The style of my music falls into the lanes of R&B, Hip-Hop, and Neo-Soul, which are my three favorite genres of music. I want to showcase my urban inspirational music in a way that touches the soul, makes you want to dance, lift your spirits, and have fun! One day while in the shower listening to a dope beat, I freestyle rapped an entire song (which I later recorded), I mean bar for bar. On that day is when I realized that I was not only a singer but a rapper as well, which has created a more versatile catalog of music for myself. I feel that my audience is much broader and will be filled with a diverse group of people.
Also, with dance being 2nd nature to me and something I have also done my entire life, I feel that it will definitely help me with my stage presence and with performing/ministering to others. I cannot wait to be able to sing my songs in front of live audiences. I hope to create magical and memorable moments on stage, in church, on the street, really anywhere! I love what I do and that’s the best part of this entire experience. Even if I just touch one person positively, then I have done what I was set out to do and my purpose is fulfilled. That is why I sing and that is what fills my heart with complete joy.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The quality or characteristic that I feel is most important to my success is integrity and standing firm on my faith. In life, there will be ups and downs, great achievements, as well as trials and tribulations and through it, all believing, trusting, and keeping faith throughout it all will be the key to continuing towards the path of success. Also, having integrity will not only hold myself accountable for everything I do along the journey, but it will also help me to lead by an example and show others the right way to achieve goals and reach dreams to become successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lovealwaysdolce.com
- Email: lovealwaysdolce@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovealwaysdolce/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovealwaysdolce/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lovealwaysdolce/
Image Credit:
STILLGOINGDESIGNS (Carlos Stephenson)
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