Yo! I’m excited to bring y’all this week’s post! I hope to provide something real in these blogs that I do for the Hip Hop community during these uneasy times so let’s jump right in! The SEVENTH project by Tone Dogg Raw, Optimo II, features performances by his bandmate from Glass Bottom Boat, Cal-S-Thetics, his bandmate from Tightly Sealed, MP of Rebels to the Grain, label mate AO, Destruct, Endz, Tiny Loko, Leomar Mendez, EQ & Linoskiii! Dope production is back for this iteration of Optimo from EQ, Out the Ash Tray of LA & Prez Sinatra. Rokem sets the tone of this album by providing 5 of 13 beats. More production that is featured on this banger laden installment is from Jeepz, VH$, Mono En Stereo, Al Fatra’s L’Enfwaré, 4th Beats and last but not least the legendary Detroit produced Apollo Brown! Tone Dogg Raw or often times referred to as Doggma or Doggma1 is an artist from Roswell New Mexico. He grew up alternating between southern California and Coastal North Carolina. This unusual upbringing is heard in his music. There are blurred lines when listening to what is intended to be a boom bap style. Tone Dogg has been rhyming for many many years, with Glass Bottom Boat & Tightly Sealed. Both are hip hop groups from California. He has started a label called Doggma Uno, which has put out the aforementioned music as well as albums such as Memoirs of... Tone Dogg is of Mexican/Indigenous descent. He was raised the son of a retired marine. Anthony Garcia loves art. Most forms of it, and hip hop music most of all.
"My goals are to make dope art and have people enjoy it. I think if a career is an opportunity I'd take it. I'd like to use that opportunity to create an economic ecosystem in which artists can thrive, and create financial velocity in our sub genre or scene. Stimulate the artistic economy. I'd like to be able to keep creating dope music as long as possible while staying true to myself and the art of hip hop. Growing up I listened to a lot of West Coast staples, Dr Dre, Snoop, Ice Cube, Tupac. I also liked al ot of the old No Limit stuff haha. While in NC I got heavy into Wu-Tang Clan, Big Pun, UGK, 8Ball and MJG. I like Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. I like it all. But I think when you're young your influenced by what you listen to. I hope others can relate to my music. I hope that others can bang my music and be like "oh that's dope". I hope to inspire with my art. I think music is a lot about feel. If I can make someone feel something I think that's powerful." - Tone Dogg Raw
Tone Dogg Raw, Doggma or Doggma1, whatever you know him as, has delivered once again with exactly what matters most to him when it comes to music. Dope Beats & Sick Rhymes. Optimo II is stripped down and more rugged than his previous releases which mean no gimmicks, all lyrics. Tone's song writing skills are on full display, on songs like "Filet$" & "Collection$" just to name a few. My personal favorites on the album are Culture Cla$h & Li$ten. Both are bangers with dope features from some talented Emcees.
The underlying motif of the album is the almighty $. Financial set backs and personal hardships fueled some of the themes and approach when assembling the project. Tone Dogg has turned his life into music. Not only just something to put out, but something he feels he'd like to listen to. As Tone says, “No Frills Just Ill“. I throughly enjoyed the album & the new video he released for the track “Li$ten”
Tone Dogg Raw or often times referred to as Doggma or Doggma1 is an artist from Roswell New Mexico. He grew up alternating between southern California and Coastal North Carolina. This unusual upbringing is heard in his music. There are blurred lines when listening to what is intended to be a boom bap style. Tone Dogg has been rhyming for many many years, with Glass Bottom Boat & Tightly Sealed. Both are hip hop groups from California. He has started a label called Doggma Uno, which has put out the aforementioned music as well as albums such as Memoirs of... Tone Dogg is of Mexican/Indigenous descent. He was raised the son of a retired marine. Anthony Garcia loves art. Most forms of it, and hip hop music most of all.
"My goals are to make dope art and have people enjoy it. I think if a career is an opportunity I'd take it. I'd like to use that opportunity to create an economic ecosystem in which artists can thrive, and create financial velocity in our sub genre or scene. Stimulate the artistic economy. I'd like to be able to keep creating dope music as long as possible while staying true to myself and the art of hip hop. My biggest influences are many. Growing up I listened to a lot of West Coast staples, Dr Dre, Snoop, Ice Cube, Tupac. I also liked alot of the old No Limit stuff haha. While in NC I got heavy into Wu-Tang Clan, Big Pun, UGK, 8Ball and MJG. I like Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. I like it all. But I think when you're young you're influenced by what you listen to.
I hope others can relate to my music. I hope that others can bang my music and be like "oh that's dope". I hope to inspire with my art. I think music is a lot about feel. If I can make someone feel something I think that's powerful" - Tone Dogg Raw
Checkout the Li$ten video here:
Listen to the album here:
Go follow Tone Dogg Raw & Doggma Uno on all social media platforms!
