SOLO FOR DOLO
Solo For Dolo is an emcee hailing from Asbury Park, New Jersey, with a career that spans over 2 decades. Born in 1987 he has been active in the hip-hop scene since 2001 and has consistently released music that showcases his skills as a rapper, producer, and visual artist. Solo For Dolo’s work is characterized by its DIY ethic, humor and a blend of self-confidence with self deprecating lyrics, offering a unique perspective on life, music and the industry. Solo For Dolo’s music spans a range of themes, from critiques of the hip-hop industry to personal struggles and reflections on society. His ability to produce write and perform his own music gives his work a distinctive voice in the underground hip-hop scene. Each album offers a mix of beats and lyrics that reflect his New Jersey upbringing, his critiques of societal norms, and his personal experiences, all delivered with a balance of seriousness and humor. Solo was pivotal in bringing Hip-Hop back into Asbury Park Venues after it was banned. Despite a hostile reception initially Solo managed to hit legendary NJ venues such as The Stone Pony, Starland Ballroom, The Saint & The Wonder Bar. Opening for acts such as Cypress Hill, Matisyahu, Jedi Mind Tricks, Everlast & more. Eventually going on to put together the Asbury Park Hip Hop Fest which featured a line up of legends and up & coming talent that only Solo could bring together.
BLOOD SOIL WAR OIL (2024)
A project about sacrifice, life, death and the lingering question of what then... features Base Bronson, Boogie Down Apocalypse. Production provided from Solo For Dolo, DW Underground & Jason Famous Beats. Recorded in 2023 at Makeshift Laboratories (NJ) and released Feb 2024. Features the singles "Aint No Way" "Things Done Changed" & "Windows In Purgatory"
NO WHERE TO GO (2023)
This album was inspired by early pause tapes & analog recording techniques. A lo-fi rap album recorded on a handheld mic with no headphones or proper room conditioning. Recorded in the midst of the Covid Era when there was literally "No Where To Go". Fully produced by Solo For Dolo with a guest appearance from Shoreshot on the lead single "SHORE THING" also features the tracks "HORNS" & "ONE MAN BANNED"
BOOGIE DOWN APOCALYPSE (2021)
Recorded in Rahway NJ after engineering sessions at Litehouse Studios... This album came together a bit like a fever dream... nightmare... bad trip? Production from Solo For Dolo, Domingo & Branson and a guest appearance from Fatboi Sharif. Features the songs "Last Show In The World" "Lo Cost Ov Livin" & "Motions"
THE KILLING SPREE (2020)
A collaboration with producer Tru Mentillz. "Initially it started as an EP to fire back at some local rappers who decided to summon my name right after I dropped a project... The Killing Spree EP was recorded in one day and featured Tone Liv & K-Prez . I dropped the EP in 2019 and by 2020 had an albums worth of completely different material dealing mostly with political unrest and what was going on in America at the time. I released a limited edition CD / Lathe Cut LP combo but unfortunately lost the full master & files for certain songs. This project is now a combination of the initial EP plus what I had left from the full length LP... Personally I think this version is better..." - SOLO
PROFESSOR CHAOS (2019)
A short project with a lot to unpack... Production from Solo For Dolo, Don Producci & Marco Polo... contains the singles "High Noon" ft C-Rayz Walz (Def Jux/Stronghold) "Invasion of tha Talking Heads" ft Fatboi Sharif . "Dice Rules" pairs Solo & Don Producci for another smooth ride that nods to the Back To Basics EP with an updated sound.
The Fifth EP (2018)
A collaborative EP with producer Grungy Boguez. One of the rarest Solo For Dolo releases as it was only pressed to 50 Red Cassettes. Featuring "War Report" "Words I Say" ft Ren Thomas & Tiffany Sterling. Streaming versions of the project exclude a 6th track "Hell To Pay"
Last Call For Apathy (2017)
They say third times the charm... and the third full length album from Solo For Dolo does just that. Finally stepping into his own with production (almost the entire project minus 2 tracks provided by P.Original) . This album has a little bit of everything... besides a good mix down... but in the world of Underground Hip Hop that can often be forgiven... "Boom Session" pairs Solo with El Da Sensei over a lush sonic over booming drums. "Nature" is a double time boom bap attack with Philly spitter Slaughter Rico & "Powdered Toast Man" is a high apple pie lyrical tongue twister that would leave Reggie Noble himself impressed.
BACK TO BASICS EP (2014)
A short but sweet EP features some fan favorites such as "Golden" "Back To Basics" "Miracle Whip" & More . Produced entirely by Don Producci . The title track was originally slated to be on the Self Titled LP with an Action Bronson feature... but it turned out to be a pretty decent "solo" track...
SELF TITLED (2012)
A much darker follow up to The Truth For The Youth, where as the debut spent a lot of time trying to uplift this ventured more into self discovery. This album was executive produced by Domingo (he even provides adlibs on the track "Talking That Bullshit". Him and Cus sat with me in Mercy Sounds studios in NYC throughout 2011 and helped me turn this project into something special. Domingo produces half of the album, Maker assists on 3 songs "Asbury Rising" "Delilahs Den" and the single "Aerosol". The album features 2 self produced tracks and contains the Marco Polo produced "Quarter Water Kids" which was the first single.
THE TRUTH FOR THE YOUTH (2009)
The debut album from Solo For Dolo. 5 out of 10 tracks produced by Domingo including "Wake Up" "Highlife" "Crown Royal" & "Just Be". Features Downtown Recordings artist Penguin Prison on the track "Babycakes" the album was meant to be the warning shot for a generation running blind into a slaughter house... songs like "Aint No Love" still hold the same energy as when it was penned.
THE BLACK SEPTEMBER EP (2007)
This was meant to be a tour only CD to make some extra money. Only 500 copies were pressed. It started getting some good blog reviews and suddenly it was sold out and I needed to finally make a full album...
THE BRAVES - REPORTING LIVE (2007)
This isn't a Solo album... But it is a rap album from my former group The Braves aka The Brooklyn Braves. The album features a collaboration with one of my favorite rappers ever growing up Canibus. It has Dj Total Eclipse of The X-Ecutioners on the turntables. Domingo did some beats, Kno from the Cunninlynguists did some beats. The album was engineered by Peter Toh formerly of The Stryder (Equal Vision) and even features live drums on the last track from Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, RX Bandits even studio drummer for Bruce f*ckin Springsteen).
THE UPRISE EP (2004)
These songs were recorded while signed to adapted. prior to us starting The Braves. The album would have been called "Last Call For Apathy" had it been completed. These songs made rounds via CD Singles / Mixtapes . The song "Take A Number" ft Tonedeff / PackFM was recorded prior to signing the deal. However the collaboration with Domingo & Kno were after. Also the song "Where U From?" produced by Alias was featured on The Braves Reporting Live (as a backwards bonus track)
DARK CITY DEMOS EP (2002)
I walked into my freshmen year of high school with a demo and that demo spread across the state like wildfire, the feedback and sales kept me in the studio working on more tracks to follow up. These songs were all released as CD-R singles ect that I would hustle hand to hand to afford more studio time / gear . The song "Its Warr" was my first official single and somehow made its rounds to Chicago where it got me placed on a Compilation alongside Immortal Technique & Psalm One. Altho these aren't my most technically proficient raps, I really enjoy the warmth the A-Dat recording quality sounds. I kind of miss that... Recorded at Eightsixteen Studios by Pat Noon
