A Chat with Dillon (03.12.25)
With over a decade in Atlanta’s hip-hop scene, US-based musician Dillon has established his name as an inspiring rapper, beatmaker, DJ, and, oddly enough, chef. Working with notable professionals like Count Bass D, Von Pea of Tanya Morgan, Supa Dave West, De La Soul and Wu Tang Clan, Dillon is a force to be reckoned with. We speak with him about the album Rations, what music means to him, collaborations and much more.
OSR: Rations was released after the passing of Paten Locke. Do you feel this is a celebration of his life, and how does this timing of the release influence you emotionally?
Dillon: It is absolutely a celebration of the life of Paten Locke. I literally put that dedication on the back of the record. When Paten got his cancer diagnosis & passed in 2019, we came up with a plan, and since then I’ve been executing it step by step, starting with P’s solo works and culminating with RATIONS. There are a few more projects in the wings as well. Not gonna lie, I have been pretty much numb since his passing and just going through the motions. Having his albums to complete and release was my coping mechanism. RATIONS is not the final project, but it is the biggest one, and now that it’s released and out into the world, I do feel a massive weight has been lifted off of me. It is a heavy duty to be responsible for the works of a partner who has passed – in any field or circumstances, but most especially art & music. I’m grateful that the universe left me here long enough to be able to complete the work I’ve had to do thus far. And I pray I can get to the finish line, for Paten’s sake.
OSR: What can you tell us about Rations? Is there a particular theme or backstory?
Dillon: I was a hibachi chef all through college and have always worked in restaurants / loved food. My mom had a little restaurant, her mom had a little restaurant… Paten and I’s first album was called Studies in Hunger in 2009. That title was born out of Paten reflecting on a period of his life in the late 90’s when he started making music, and that his life was a ‘study in hunger’, and we both were like YO!
Then, in 2016, we did Food Chain, which was a title we liked based on the album art we were going for and keeping in line with the food theme. Then Side Dishes at the end of 2016, which was the obvious companion piece to Food Chain.
We started to work on what would become RATIONS in 2016 as well, but I didn’t have a title for it until P got his diagnosis, and that’s when I knew these would be our last works together, so we had to make it last.
OSR: The album has many notable collaborations with hip-hop artists. What were the collaborations like – did you face any challenges, or was it all smooth sailing?
Dillon: Mostly smooth sailing, I always try to have a song as complete as possible when I’m working with other writers, so they can have a full idea of what they’re jumping into. Connecting the dots with Large Pro took the longest but was also the most worthwhile. Timing is everything. Can’t force it. I really wanted to try and drop this in 2021, but it just needed more time. And more time. And more time. lol. Patience is the key to life, but I am still terrible at it.
OSR: With the album having many collaborations, can you tell us if you feel collaborating is important for musicians? If yes, how so?
Dillon: It’s whatever you feel, man. Hip hop is unique in that often times it can be or usually is a solo endeavor – whether you’re writing to a beat at the crib or even performing solo onstage. In hip hop, you can be a ‘one man band’ and still have all the allure of a 5-piece band. It really just depends on the type of person you are and how open YOU are to collaboration. But overall, I say most collaboration is good for the soul, not just in music, but in life. But know when to rock solo too! And don’t lean on collaboration to carry a project if YOU aren’t putting in enough work. For shame.
OSR: What do you hope people take from Rations and your music in general?
Dillon: Hope it strikes all the emotions and sensors – pain, anger, happiness, grit. I aim to get you hyped, give you hope and get funky with it. I just want to be a layer you take on and off throughout your day/life. I don’t want all your attention; I just hope to provide a service. A little ambience – with purpose.
OSR: If you could change anything about the album, what would it be and why?
Dillon: Keeping it a buck, there’s a vocal run I did at the end of ‘Ponte Vedra’ that I’m pretty mad at myself about and wish I had turned down or OFF. Also, I probably mixed the rap vocals a little loud. But you know how that goes.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Dillon: The same thing that water and oxygen does. Music is freedom. Music is life. Music is the language of the universe.
OSR: If you could describe Rations in a single sentence, what would it be?
Dillon: Gritty underground hip hop with razor sharp rhymes & cuts that serve to inspire and make you perspire. Was that too on the nose?
OSR: What can we expect from Dillon in the future?
Dillon: More of the MF SAME SHIT. New project with Tom Caruana on the beats. LOBSTERDAMUS keeps telling me he’s got another one in the ‘tank’. More movements from FULL PLATE.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Dillon: Thank you for listening, and please, please, please check out FullPlateFam.com and sign up for our e-mail list because social media is the devil, but email keeps you informed!
Peace and love! Paten Locke Forever!
Many thanks to Dillon for speaking with us. Find out more about Dillon on his official website, Facebook, X, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Steaming Kettle PR.
