Email: neill@outloudculture.com
Dante Bowe is a GRAMMY Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling songwriter, performer, and recording artist from Rockingham, NC, now based in Dallas, TX, who peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Chart last year and was among Billboard’s Top 10 Gospel Artists in 2021. The chart-topping artist has won 1 GRAMMY Award and has earned a total of 7 nominations (as a solo act and as a group) across both Gospel and Christian genres. This year, Dante’s been nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for “God Really Loves Us” with Maverick City Music.
He won Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for the 64th GRAMMY Awards last year and earned 5 nominations. Dante is also the co-founder and CEO of TRUE Music Records, an independent music management company. He is also heavily involved with charitable organizations focusing on children, homelessness, and at-risk youth. His first single, “Hide Me” was recently released, with a new sound that will spotlight his entry into the mainstream R&B market while staying true to his gospel roots. Dante’s forthcoming EPPress Play will focus on taking his career and music to new heights and new audiences.
1. Dante welcome to OLC! First and foremost, how did you discover your passion for music?
Well, I’ve always loved music. I came from a musical family. All of my uncles and aunts sang. Everyone technically — except my mom and dad — sang, so I was surrounded by really talented musicians my entire life. From as early as I could talk I’ve loved music, and I’ve been singing since then. I was as young as 2 years old when I discovered my passion for music.
2. Religion is a huge part of who you are, and you were kicked out of Maverick City Music. Can you tell us a bit about how that happened and how it affected you?
I was never kicked out of Maverick City. They are my friends. I love them dearly. We don’t work together anymore and it’s been the most incredible season of my life. The relationship between Maverick City and myself is very healthy and strong. I support them and their future endeavors and they support me in my future endeavors. The only way that situation affected me was to make me work harder and run to God for all the answers, the next steps, and the strategy. And God gave me the next steps and the strategy. And through that process, I created my own record label. I started a brand new album. Everything’s been on the up and up.
3. I’ve also read you were homeless, can you tell us a bit about your story?
Yes. I was homeless early on when I started my career. Lived on a friend’s couch, didn’t know when I would even be able to leave. I stayed there for a little less than a year, kept my clothes in my car, and got very depressed and very depleted. I almost quit music. Two of my friends who were my prior managers, Tywan Mack and Sydne Scott, had ideas for me to just go and do music and create an album. And through them getting me off that couch, I became a writer in the industry and then things started changing — slowly but surely. I was able to purchase my first place, which was a trailer home. And then from there, everything got a lot better. But yes, I was homeless and it was a trying time — but it was necessary for my future.
4. You made history last year as the first artist to have the greatest number of simultaneous Grammy nominations in both Gospel & Christian Genres with 3 solo and 2 group award nominations, how did that feel to have such incredible recognition?
It felt amazing to be recognized in that way. I know how much work it took to do it — to create an album and then actually go through with it. To do the video, the interviews, the concerts. Your life is, at some point, consumed with music. So, it felt great that the Grammys acknowledged that I’ve worked hard — and who doesn’t want a Grammy??
5. Let’s talk the new single ‘Hide Me’, I listened to it, it’s great! What can you tell us about it and what inspired the song?
The song was inspired by Scripture and by the last three months of my life. I feel like God has been hiding me to prepare me for this year and what’s to come in the future. The song is such a powerful song because of the lyrics, but it also has a dance beat to it — so you can be vibing out, but also be encouraged at the same time.
6. It’s taken from your forthcoming album ‘Press Play’, what can listeners expect from this album?
One of my really good friends Jon Jon Webb helped work on this album and he also produced it with the Co-producer, Brandon Bailey. However, the process was just fun. Exciting. Energetic. We were just very motivated to create something beautiful. It didn’t feel like work at all. We would just stay up all night dreaming and making these sounds and this kind of — new genre, ultimately is what I feel like it is. I like to say it’s Rhythm & Truth, not Rhythm & Blues. And so, it was a fun process and it was very easy — but a lot of hard work.
7. Who helped you work on the album and what was the recording process like?
I have an incredible new team, label, and management who inspires me so much. They were a huge part of bringing this album to life. We dream big together, and have so much fun in the process. I’m grateful that we get to do this together.
8. What do you hope people take away from your music?
I hope the people take away that there is nothing impossible with God. And that everything does get better. I don’t care what it looks like, I don’t care what it feels like — it will always get better. It’s up to us to cling to Him, to cling to the vine, to stay connected to the vine. He’ll always give you the answers, He’ll always give you the strategies, He’ll always lead you and He’ll never forsake you. He’ll never leave you. I hope people can hear that when they listen to this music.
9. What does 2023 hold for you and what are you most looking forward to?
I’m hoping that it’s the most exciting year of my life. I hope I get to see all the seeds I’ve sown and that I get to experience the fruit of those seeds. I hope that it’s full of joy and happiness and love — and God opportunities.
@dantebowe #dantebowe dantebowe.com | @truemusiclabel truemusiclabel.com
