Fresh from his lucrative MTV deal that will see his music used on some of the networks biggest shows, including "Pimp My Ride" and "Punk'd," we had a chance to catch up with California's Poc Dawone to talk about the deal, his acting career and his new album.
Boombox: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started?
Poc Dawone: Well my name is Allen Maldonado aka Poc Dawone. The moniker comes from a nickname I received in high school from a friend of mine’s sister. I used to wear my hair in two pony tails, so she would call me Poc which was short for Pocahontas; the “Dawone” comes from being the only boy in my family. My mother is Black and my late father is Puerto Rican and that plays a large part of my music influence. I was born in California and my parents were born in two tremendously different worlds, one being the city (Harlem, New York) and the other in the country (Ramer, Alabama) I would go visit both sides of my family in the summer. Because of the different areas I was raised in I was subjected to all types of music from Salsa to Hip Hop and the Blues. The first rap I wrote was with my sister Stacy when I was 10 after watching the Kris Kross “Jump” video. I saw two kids just like me making music and I was like “I could do that”.
Boombox: Your first single "Moving Forward" is starting to get some serious spins, but when is the album ("Damn Right") coming out?
Poc Dawone: The album is set to come out in the late summer.
Boombox: What can we expect from the album?
Poc Dawone: The album is a reflection of me as a person. There are many different sides of me that define who I am. Like I mentioned earlier I grew up in different cultures and it really shows in my music. With songs like “Moving Forward” which talks about struggle, adversity and the love of my family to “I’m Still Here” which talks about my near fatal accident when I was struck by a drunk driver going between 65 to 75 mph. I have my party songs on there as well to get the club jumping with “Where They At?” a song in which I’m calling all the ladies to the dance floor and “Hide and Seek” which is a fun song about playing a game of strip hide and seek. My music is made to be felt, not heard. My goal is that everyone that listens to my album leaves with a sense of inspiration and self empowerment.
Boombox: Have you filmed a video for "Moving Forward" yet?
Poc Dawone: Yes, the video is now being played all over the world. Directed by Charlie Kanganis and Choice Skinner they captured an excellent image to portray the purpose of the song. In the video you see images of the civil rights movements that represent the will to move forward towards your dreams. On a personal note my friends and family are also in the video to represent the love I’m surrounded and motivated by. “Moving Forward” the video has also been placed in all the Footlockers, Champs, and Foot Actions across the USA. The video is available on my website www.pocdawone.com, blastro.com, myspace.com/Pocdawone, Club Com, Screenplay, EaTV (evolvingartist.com), Much Music Video (Rap City/Much Vibe) in Canada.
Boombox: Is there a tour on the cards to promote the album? Will you be coming to Europe/UK?
Poc Dawone: Yes in the near future. We have a couple of offers, but nothing is definite yet.
Boombox: You've just signed a deal with MTV and "Pimp My Ride." Can you tell us what that entails and how it came about?
Poc Dawone: MTV has licensed my entire album. What that means is that my music is going to be played during popular shows such as “Pimp My Ride”, “Punked” and other shows they may deem my music proper for.
Boombox: Most rappers do music then turn to acting, but you have already had an
impressive acting career. How did you get involved in acting?
Poc Dawone: Well I must say I have been truly blessed in my acting Career. My mom was the first to support me by putting me in acting class at 13. Later I would meet a manager who would refer me to an acting class coached by Bobbie Shaw Chance at Expressions Unlimited. There, I would learn, understand, and fall in love with the craft of acting. Shortly thereafter I would have my big screen debut in the movie “Friday After Next”. And from there it took off.
Boombox: Do you prefer acting to music?
Poc Dawone: They both play hand in hand. With music I am able to express myself with my voice and my words. With acting I am able to express myself physically and through my eyes. So to me, they weigh even on my heart.
Boombox: What was your role in The Shield and how did you find working on what
is probably the most intense police drama on TV?
Poc Dawone: My role on “The Shield” was as a high school student by the name of Evan “Every Day” Dayne who was accused of murder. Working on “The Shield” was a great honor. The cast and crew treated me like family.
Boombox: Is Michael Chiklis a baddass in real life?
Poc Dawone: Unfortunately I can’t say, I didn’t get to work with him and I didn’t get the chance to meet him.
Boombox: Who would win in a fight, Jack Bauer or Vic Mackey?
Poc Dawone: Oh, Vic Mackey for sure!
Boombox: I notice you have a pretty popular MySpace.com site. How do you feel about the way Myspace has taken off as an artist promotion tool?
Poc Dawone: I think it’s great! It gives a lot of good upcoming artists an opportunity to promote their music across the world. So if you’re not good, the people on myspace will definitely let you know their opinion of your work.
Boombox: Have you released any mixtapes or have any plans to put out any?
Poc Dawone: Well, I don’t have any plans to put out a mixtape.
I don’t feel I need to. For some artists it’s a great way to promote themselves but I feel the mixtape market is over saturated. I think since 50 cent and some other hip hop artists got a deal from exposure from mixtapes everyone feels that that’s the way to get a deal. So the creativity in creating your own music and sound some how gets lost.
Boombox: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
Poc Dawone: Be sure to check for my new single “Moving Forward” and call in and request it at your local radio station. Moving Forward is a song created to inspire the world and inspire people to move forward with their dreams, goals, and aspirations. Remember, a dream is only an objective without instructions so, find the instructions to your dream and move forward with them. God Bless you all and Much Love, Poc Dawone.
