Q+A: Dende
Meet rising producer, R&B singer, and rapper Dende, who simply wants to shoot the breeze and connect with you. From Katy, Texas, Dende chooses to connect with listeners as if you’re chatting one-on-one on a warm breezy day in the park. You can also catch Dende on Instagram interviewing and chatting with strangers on the street, asking intimate questions. From Dende’s latest release, “Round Trip To Atlanta,” he tells the story of his attraction for a dancer that has captured his heart. Dende’s previous albums of his 2019 album “DrkMttr” drive us through a past toxic relationship that kept him wanting more, but he has to take steps to leave that messy relationship. His 2020 R&B album ME? explores the growth and difficulty Dende endured of having to let go of those who weren’t allowing him to grow. Next is Dende’s 2021 album “A Happy Man,” where Dende expresses his thoughts on the highs and lows he is still trying to balance by opening up more about his loses and wins. From his latest collaboration with Deante Hitchcock and Bairi on their intimate, sultry track “Neck up” for Deante Hitchcock’s Valentine’s Day-themed EP “Every day the 14TH.” Dende isn’t afraid to show how much he values the importance of intimacy, the love language of quality time.
We chatted with Dende about his latest single “Round Trip To Atlanta,” outrageous moments he’s had interviewing strangers on the street, and much more.
Photographer: @qurissy
If you could, how would you describe your music to newer fans by just using food to explain how your music feels and sounds.
My music is that blend of cold, warm, and soft that you get from a scoop of vanilla ice cream sitting on top of a fresh brownie.
The opening track of your latest album, “A Happy Man,” gives us a glimpse through the lens of Dende, and I could tell the track was your way of hugging listeners or having a deep conversation with listeners. What album would you say has an opening track that touched you or even felt like the artist was speaking directly to you?
The album with an intro song like that would have to be “Care For Me” by Saba. In the song “BUSY / SIRENS” the first half is basically about being too busy to spend time with the people that you wanna spend time with and a lot of other scenarios I can relate with at this point in my life.
Being raised in Katy, Texas, can I ask, how would you describe your town in three words or less to those who have never been to Katy, Texas?
White. Football.
Your latest track, “Round Trip To Atlanta,” not only pays homage to T-Pain and Mike Jone’s “I’m N Luv (Wit A stripper)” but also tells the story of yourself falling in love with a stripper as well. Could I ask you how was written this track?
“Round Trip To Atlanta” is a song about me falling in love with a dancer. It really wasn't very hard to write because all I did was put certain details that really happened in the song.
You recently did a collaboration track called “Neck Up” with Deante Hitchcock and Bairi for Deante Hitchcock’s Valentine’s Day EP “Every day the 14th.” Hence, I have to ask how was it working with both Bairi and Deante Hitchcock and if there is a possibility for another collaboration track or maybe a joint tape with all three of you together?
All of us make music but more importantly, I’m cool with them. I have a couple more songs with Deante. I have some songs with Bairi. You should honestly be looking for a tape with me, Bairi, and Chris Patrick to be honest with you.
Photographer: @qurissy
Within all three of your albums from your 2019 album “DrkMttr,” 2020 album “ME?” and 2021 album “A Happy Man,” what can you say you’ve noticed about your albums each time you take a listen to your previous albums and your latest album?
One thing I can always see is growth not only in the quality of music but in understanding who I am as a person.
I saw on your Instagram that you recently did a cover of Musiq Soulchild’s “Just Friends (Sunny)” could you tell me what song from your childhood you loved hearing so much that you either want to cover or maybe sample?
I'd say it would have to be “Nobody Supposed To Be Here” by Deborah Cox. I used to BELT that song out in my mom's car. I might sample it today, to be honest.
I’ve seen your interviews of you asking strangers or colleagues questions out of the ordinary, so I have to ask what is the most outrageous question you’ve asked a person in your interviews and what is their outrageous response back to your question?
My favorite thing to ask people is if they would rather be pegged, or watch their significant other have sex with someone else. I never quite understand when people say they would rather see their spouse cheat.
What does Dende have in store for fans, from upcoming collaborations to more stranger interviews, to maybe even more covers of songs?
Honestly, I'm working on a project right now, but until then I'm about to open the flood gates and start dropping music. I have too many hits in the vault.
Check out Dende’s latest track “Round Trip To Atlanta!”