Dash Michelle Gives Us The Best Main Character Energy
Dash Michelle born Destyni Michelle Green is a New Orleans native. Dash grew up watching American Idol and listening to many influential artists such as: Destiny's Child, Brandy, Aaliyah, and Fantasia. She's been through many tough situations which always led her to pen and paper. In 2018 she was introduced to artist/producer Davis Chris who later became her musical mentor. He also gave her the nickname "Dash" which would later be a part of her stage name.
She was invited by Davis Chris and Shane Foster of DFD Music to play a part on a major independent record "Get Data" by Mr. Foster feat. artists Davis Chris, Project Pat, KaMillion and Myosin Tala.Fast forward to 2020 her first single "Bet Dat" was co-written and produced by Davis Chris and herself.
Maria: How did you get into music? When was the day when you woke up and decided that this is what you wanna do now?
Dash: So to be totally honest, I have been singing since I was three. Singing runs mostly on my mom's side of the family. So ever since I heard my mom belt her notes out, that's when I was like, Yeah, that's what I want to do. I'm very inspired by the 90s and the mid 80s music. I grew up listening to Destiny's Child, Brandy, Mariah Carey, Fantasia, artists of those likenesses.
Maria: How would you describe the genre of your music?
Dash: So right now, I mainly sing r&b music. My style of r&b. I like to create a nostalgic feeling type of vibe, but something that's fresh as well and kind of mix that, so you can feel an airy/flowy type of feel. But it's not the same as all the mainstream artists. It's unique, but it also has that flavor to it that you kind of know.
I love Destiny's Child. Like I know there's a thing from the past but it has a lot of relevancy to me because I grew up listening to that. And I had a CD player at the time when there was ‘Crazy in Love’ and Beyonce was finally doing her solo. That's what I really fell in love with. So I tried to keep it as current
Maria: What was your creative process like for writing your latest single «Cursive» ?
Dash: So for ‘Cursive’ it's me and a great friend of mine, his name is Davis Chris. So basically, he helps me make sure that my lyrics are more of a feel. And it's more of like, what is current in time, so it all makes sense together. So basically, I may listen to a beat, or I may just get an idea in my head and I'm like, Hey, let's go ahead and put this together with that. So particularly for this, I like to use metaphors and puns and things like that. I like to build up the imagination of the listener, but also say what I need to say. Most of my songs I'm telling the story. So it can be sensual. It can be a romantic sensual vibe, or it can be energetic, just something bad ass – whatever it is, you're going to feel something. I try to make it as too fluid as possible, but as fun as possible, too.
Maria: Do you think your process of writing songs has changed in any way since you started releasing music?
Dash: I want to say yes, lightly. So when I was younger, or I'll say when I started actually recording music, I was 17. So from then on, you know how you get an idea in your head and you're like okay, so boom, this happened and you kind of went on with the song. Versus you say what you need to say with getting that point across. But also having that element of where it all builds together without being like a fragment.
I used to kind of write in that way. So my producer has really been helping me get out of that and just really getting to the point. So I can say it's changed in that manner of just getting to it.
Maria: What is the message that you would like to share through your songs?
Dash: So at this time, I'm really just trying to point out little areas of my life where either I'm in my emotions deeply because it's maybe like a depression situation. I may be have something going on with a lover or friends. I just try to incorporate all of that to let people know it's okay to be vulnerable. That's basically all I want for people to get from my music is to understand my vulnerability and where they may share the exact same situation.
Maria: What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Dash: I would tell them to remain true. Tell your story. Everything doesn't have to be sad. It doesn't have to be sexual. Doesn't have to be what everyone else thinks it is because your story is your story. So if you feel like you want to sing something motivational one day and the next day, you want to change that vibe up, do that. As long as you remain true to yourself. That's gonna help your art come out more naturally.
Maria: If you can have your fans remember one thing about you, what would it be?
Dash: Oh, my legacy – to be remaining authentic to who I am. I want them to understand that I'm a multi-dimensional being multifaceted. I'm not one way, one look, one style. I’m everything.
Maria: Do you have upcoming and future projects?
Dash: So I did have a debut music video for ‘Cursive’. It's my first music video I've ever done. There's more in the works. My most recent single I released in February. It's called ‘Main Character Energy’. With that song you are getting that feeling of being in Time Square spinning around with either just yourself or your lover, and you're exuding this confidence, this magnetic energy.