Meet Dayo Gold | Rap Artist & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dayo Gold and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dayo, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor I believe to be the success of my brand is authenticity. I pride myself on being original and an individual. Dayo Gold is someone who has always took the road less traveled because it was something that no one else was doing. I trusted my gut enough to make the music I wanted to listen to and I’m thankful there are others who feel the same. I had enough confidence to shop at thrift stores when it was a necessity and those experiences have laid the foundation to my style/fashion.

The thesis of my brand is individuality. A slogan that I have always used since high school is now the name of my brand; that name and slogan being Ask Ya Dad. Another example of authenticity. My goal is to be totally me in everything I do, in hopes that it encourages others to do the same. Not everyone is for you, but the people that are really exist and are out there.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art/music is the bridge in the gap between generations. I feel like the older generation of Hip Hop has a problem with the young generation of Hip Hop and where it’s going. Vice versa, I believe the younger generation has a problem with the older crowd and that it’s too “old school” or “stuck in the past.” My music bridges those two gaps and puts both of those generations in the same room and makes them have a conversation. I feel that’s what sets me apart from the others. I’m a millennial, I feel like we are the ones who got to experience multiple decades of Hip Hop. We’ve seen it from the Golden Age (mid 80’s early mid 90’s), to where it is now, trap/predominantly beats being the forefront.. My playlists ranges from Tupac all the way to Future.

I have always been told I am an old man trapped in a young man’s body. Amongst my friends I’ve been told I’m the most mature. I had a younger brother that I had to take everywhere with me, I believe this is what made me this way. Having that responsibility and knowing he’s always watching made me tighten up and not move as careless as some of the people around me.

I moved from Lima, OH to Cincinnati, OH summer of 2013. I was attending the University of Cincinnati at the time and it was a big step in my development of who I am today. This is the city where I began my music career. In 2013 though, I was still clueless on what it was I wanted to do. My intentions were to try to be a walk-on for the basketball team, but then I tore my ACL in an open gym.

At this point in my life I wasn’t doing well in school either because I couldn’t afford the books. It was all going downhill. I’ve always loved listening to music, but it’s something about hearing that song that matches exactly how you feel right there in that moment. It’s always been my escape. I knew I wanted to be one of those people that provided that feeling and not just search and wait for it. So, I made my mind right then and there I’m pursuing music.

It wasn’t easy getting to where I am now, but I am proud of the steps I took to get here. I’m self taught on everything, but I keep an open mind and love to listen and research. One of the biggest lessons that has helped me get to this point is learning that time works for you when you are not focused on time. When you are not focused on how long something will take, it happens at a rate faster than you could imagine. It happens on YOUR time.

I started rapping 2015-2016 and opened up for Wyclef Jean and JID in 2018. There was a lot of talk from people who felt it was happening a “little too fast.” That’s something that I had to tune out. I understand my blessings are deserving because I put in the work and time favors the consistent worker.

I want the world to know that Dayo Gold is someone who genuinely enjoys life and all the beautiful and ugly things that come with it. Without the dark, you can’t get the light. I understand everything has its purpose and I put that within my music. The beautiful, the ugly, all of it. I believe that is the most human thing we can do; be our most authentic selves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my friends were visiting the city the best spot I would take them is The Banks. The Banks is a park/river walk along the Ohio River here in Cincinnati that is filled with views. This is how I would start the day because I like to be around the sun. Then we have to hit Yardhouse. They have amazing food and the views are on point here as well. Then we can cap the night off going to Nostalgia Wine and Jazz lounge and sip our favorite wines while listening to R&B Soul and live bands play.

On a Sunday we can go catch a Bengals game during football season. Get us a nice pre-game going at the tailgate party right in the parking lot before the game. It helps build the camaraderie.

And of course on a Saturday we can go have breakfast at Firstwatch, go thrifting afterwards for a couple of hours hit a couple of spots. Get us some lunch at The Eagle or Aroma Sushi along with some happy hour drinks. And then we top off the night with a local show that I will perform in alongside some other local acts.

Weekdays I’m pretty much working on music and building content so I’m not out and about too much. You can catch me on a Tuesday at the movies though for $5 night. Most likely will catch me midweek at another local show/open mic. Once I’m out in LA for good you can always catch me at the beach lol.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to my boy Jody Breeze! I appreciate your genuine heart, you will have everything you need in 10 fold no doubt! Shout out my mom for always dreaming big and instilling the confidence in me I display till this day. Shout out the homie Trey Young for wearing many hats, Kalese in the Caprice for being everything I always need. My followers and fam, thank y’all!!!

Instagram: @itsdayogold

Twitter: @itsdayogold

Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/DayoGold

Image Credits
Kalese Carpenter