Marco Grimalt interviewed on MN2S Spotlight podcast
2 years ago
United States Dawn Richard, a multifaceted artist, has evolved from a reality TV music icon to an independent electronic and R&B innovator, recognized for her boundary-pushing sound and creative ventures across music, film, and fashion.
Dawn Richard partnered with Palm to promote emerging technology in New Orleans, aiming to push the rapidly evolving tech industry into new directions.
Dawn Richard teamed up with Adult Swim for a creative project, initially working as a content creator and later announcing a partnership as a creative consultant to seek out Black animators and artists.
In 2013, Richard partnered with Coco & Breezy to launch her own line of sunglasses, coinciding with the release of her debut album.
In 2014, Richard launched a capsule collection of women's shoes through Lust for Life, which accompanied the release of her album "Blackheart."
Richard posed naked for one PETA ad campaign promoting veganism and appeared in another protesting the use of leather, having been vegan since 2013.
Dawn Richard has worked with the Hip Hop Caucus, discussing the intersection of hip-hop and activism.
Dawn Richard signed with indie rock label Merge Records for her solo releases, ensuring diverse distribution for her music.
Dawn Angeliqué Richard, born on August 5, 1983, in New Orleans, Louisiana, began her musical journey at an early age. Her father, Frank Richard, was the lead singer and percussionist for the funk/soul band Chocolate Milk, and her mother owned a dance school, providing Dawn with a foundational understanding of music and performance. In 2004, at the age of 21, she gained significant recognition by auditioning for MTV’s “Making the Band 3.” Her participation led to her selection as a member of the girl group Danity Kane, formed by Sean “Diddy” Combs. Danity Kane released two albums and toured with Christina Aguilera before an initial hiatus in 2009. Prior to joining Danity Kane, Richard had already recorded a solo album, “Been a While” (2005), and performed as an NBA cheerleader for the New Orleans Hornets while attending the University of New Orleans.
Following Danity Kane’s initial disbandment, Richard continued her collaboration with Sean Combs, becoming part of the trio Diddy – Dirty Money alongside Kalenna Harper. The group released one album, “Last Train to Paris” (2010), achieving critical and commercial success. After the trio’s disbandment, Richard embarked on a solo career, independently releasing a trilogy of albums under the name DΔWN, later stylized as DAWN: “Goldenheart” (2013), “Blackheart” (2015), and “Redemption” (2016). These albums solidified her reputation as an experimental artist in alternative dance and electronic genres. Danity Kane also reunited for a period (2013-2014) and again from 2018-2020, releasing another album, “DK3” (2014).
Richard’s career has been marked by a commitment to independent artistry and diverse creative endeavors. Her subsequent solo albums, “New Breed” (2019) and “Second Line” (2021), garnered critical acclaim, with the latter praised for its unique blend of électro and New Orleans influences. In addition to her musical output, Richard has engaged in film work, co-producing and starring in “Kinky” (2018) and joining the cast of the indie thriller “Issac” (2020). She also became a content creator for Adult Swim in 2016 and announced a partnership with the company as a creative consultant in 2020, focusing on bringing more Black animators and artists to the platform.
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