FSD: Years ago you did some records for Bump J, including the controversial “Send Him Off.” How did that come about?
David D.A. Doman: I think the original way I met Bump was thru his brother Shake. Zell from The Trendsetters introduced me to him, I think. I have a bad memory though, I don’t honestly remember. I was going to Bump’s condo downtown and playing him beats, I remember one weekend I was at B Crucial’s studio way out south and he was like “You heard this joint that Bump did over your beat?” — I hadn’t. I heard it in the car and I must have listened to that song 30 times by the time I got home. I had never heard a rapper do justice to one of my tracks like that before. He killed it. The record leaked online and a lot of people loved it and were talking about it.
FSD: Were you ever worried about the backlash you might have from Twista’s camp?
David D.A. Doman: No the thought never crossed my mind. In hip-hop there hasn’t been a lot of backlash towards producers who produced diss songs to my knowledge.
FSD: What do you think about the current Chicago scene?
David D.A. Doman: It’s the best new scene in music. I love it; there are so many talented rappers from Chi. You know it’s funny, I remember back when I used to go industry events all the time at the Crocodile Lounge — the O.G. one, before it burned down — everyone would always say there was so many talented artists in Chicago, but with a few exceptions no one went all the way. I’m not into excuses, the reason why I think this is is because by and large the music wasn’t hot enough. But this new generation is making top tier music, and the recognition is coming steadily. I’m real happy for everyone who’s gotten a deal, everyone who’s making great music, and everyone who’s making money from it.
FSD: What advice do you have for producers trying to be heard and grab these major label placements?
David D.A. Doman: Plain and simple, make your beats better. If you have super hot beats and have at least a decent business mind you will get placements. You need to put time in, practice makes perfect. You can get placements sounding like everyone else if your stuff is similar sounding but better, or you can make real unique beats and get placements like that. But they cant be unique and not that great — you need to be able to sell your vision.