Larimer Lounge

Who would have thought an ordinary kid from Leimert Park could capture the ears and collective attention of people all over the globe? Not many. But it’s happening right now. Some say Dom Kennedy is a product of his environment. Though partly true, it’d be more accurate to credit Dom’s success to a relentless work ethic and a coolest-guy-in-the-room demeanor. He was born to be a leader. And lead he does. Where others go left, he steers right. Peers seek record deals in a cramped industry while he grinds independently. He thinks different. He acts different. He sounds different. It’s no wonder he’s regularly seen in magazines, on television screens and in your lady’s iTunes. His progression is the result of sleepless studio nights, early video shoots and everyday meetings with his family and firm, the OPM Company. With the streets and labels buzzing over his latest project The Yellow Album, Dom is exactly where he wants to be – for now.

He didn’t get to where he is overnight though it took just one release, The 25th Hour, for people to pick up on Dom’s signature casual-California flow. Soon after – with the releases of FutureStreet/DrugSounds and Best After Bobby in 2009 – he found himself at the forefront of what’s become known as the New West. But it wasn’t until Dom released his critically acclaimed – and fan adored – From The Westside, With Love project that the national independent media changed their scope of focus westward. No longer was the region forced to cling onto memories of past rap greats or cheesy dance crazes. This was something new to vibe along with. Something fresh. Something cool. As FTWWL soared into the hundreds of thousands of downloads, Dom took his act on the road, performing everywhere from the legendary SOBs in New York City to Georgetown University to North Africa. It was only right that he brought it back to where it all began on The Original Dom Kennedy; a project reeking of inner city LA influences. But this tape would serve as a prequel for what was to come as he finalized his commercial debut – and follow up to a new age classic – From The Westside, With Love II. Earning a Top 10 debut on the iTunes hip hop charts while remaining independent, Dom dismissed the cynics and further proved he’s cut from the cloth of the Kennedys. How did he celebrate? By launching a full nationwide tour and prepping his soon to be released project The Yellow Album; a project that will certainly dominate Summer discussions and year-end lists.

“Working on The Yellow Album – it felt like it was my first album,” Dom carefully articulates. It’s been a long time coming despite working day and night while on tour to ensure it’s his best project to date. But Dom has never been cared to flood the market just to maintain a buzz. “All I have to do – my only responsibility is – to put out the best quality music out for the fans,” he reiterates. Four years into his career, it appears as if he’s doing just that. Now with The Yellow Album under his belt, the MC with the Presidential name has his sights on everything but the White House. And his campaign has never looked more promising.