Today we’d like to introduce you to Diesel Hampton.
Hi Diesel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My love of music began at 13 when I learned to DJ by sneaking on my Uncle Joe’s turntables. When he found out, he began teaching me and DJ Dolo was born. My family moved to St. Louis where I honed my new skills by spinning at parties and school functions, I quickly became one of the most popular DJ’s in St. Louis. Music production was a natural progression from there. I began making beats in my room and founded a rap group with my friends, we called ourselves The Avenjahs after the popular Marvel Avengers Comics. We received a record deal from Sony and performed at the Grammy’s. Shortly after the Grammy’s we went our separate ways and I continued to produce music and soon began working with artists that included Talib Kweli, Tone Loc, Baby Huey and the St. Lunatiks.
I went on to start an online radio station called Doloradio which reached over 400,000 listeners daily on the original Live365.com platform. I then got into management and promotions and started a successful concert series in St. Louis called “I Am….” which primarily focused on Hip-Hop. With the concert series, I was able to work with acts including the Kansas City legends, Tech 9yne, and James Christos.
As my skills and reputation as a producer grew, I decided to change my name to Diesel Hampton and I launched Diesel Hampton Music Group (DHMG) a full-service consulting and production house that I run with my wife and fellow artist Syn Alexander. DHMG has assisted many independent artists take their craft to the next level. DHMG has partnered with 6x Grammy Award winner Malik Yusef and since moving our headquarters home to Atlanta, I am working with several local artists, including Keezy_Voh from MTV’s Catfish fame and Atlanta’s own Jus True. The project is being executive produced by G.O.O.D. Music’s super producer Malik Yusef. Our lead singles “Foreign” & “Maybe (feat. Jus True)” was released in 2021 and has over 10 Million streams worldwide so far.
DHMG is looking to work with artists who are market ready and capable of making an impact in their genre of music. We’re currently set to do amazing things in the world of music.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There is no such thing as an overnight success. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I have heard a lot of no’s in my life and you cannot allow that to stop you. In this industry, you are going to hear a lot of no’s, you are going to have way more naysayers than you do cheerleaders, I struggled with doubting myself and allowing those doubts to stop me from seizing opportunities. I have had people talk bad about me, downplay my skills and even steal my music and sell it as their own! I had to learn to get past those doubts and to surround myself with other people that are just as ambitious, talented and driven as myself. I learned that you need a team,
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an artist, I strive to stay true to myself and my artistic vision. You cannot chase after what works for others. You have to maintain your authentic voice, style and sound. I have learned that when I operate as an artist, I allow others on my team to handle the business, which gives me room to be creative. When I sit behind my desk as an executive, I have learned to take charge and make the hard decisions, to give the best advice I can give and act ethically in an industry that is not always ethical. I consider myself the Lebron James of Production, I push everyone on my team to be the best because I push myself the hardest.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
There is no success without risk. You have to be willing to risk everything to get what you want. I took a risk and started my business when everyone else I knew was retiring from music, I took a risk and moved back home to Atlanta, in a market I am new to and have met amazing and talented artists, producers, engineers, etc. Without risk, without stepping out on faith, you will not get the rewards you are striving for. Working for yourself, following your dreams. Forging a new path is not for the faint-hearted.
Pricing:
- Consulting starts at $150.00
- Music production starts at $500.00
Contact Info:
- Email: dieselhampton@outlook.com
- Website: https://www.dieselhampton.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dieselhampton/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dieselhamptonmusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dieselhampton
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/dieselhamptonmusic
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dieselhampton
Image Credits
Photographer: Brycsyn Hampton
