Dorian (rapper)

Alton Dorian Clark (born August 2, 1984), known mononymously as Dorian, is an American hip-hop recording artist, producer, songwriter and basketball coach from Indianapolis, Indiana. AllMusic editor Paul Simpson says, "his production style and storytelling skills have more in common with 80s and 90s hip-hop (with Warren G and Dr. Dre as a primary influence)…but his sound encompasses more contemporary influences such as trap and Kanye West”.^[1]

Dorian
Dorian in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Alton Dorian Clark
Also known as	Dorian, DorianSucks
Born	(1984-08-02) August 2, 1984 Abilene, Texas, United States
Origin	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper songwriter record producer
Instruments	Vocals Sampler Logic Pro Percussion
Years active	2013-present
Labels	Independent
Associated acts	Mark Battles Joey French Rob Sherrell Prodigy
Website	doriansucks.com

Early life

Alton Dorian Clark was born on August 2, 1984 on Dyess Air Force base in Abilene, Texas. His mother named him after actor Dorian Harewood who was from his parent’s native town of Dayton, Ohio.^[2]  His father was an airman in the United States Air Force which caused Dorian to move 7 times before he was 10 years old.^[3]  Dorian’s parents grew up during the 1970’s funk era and frequently played artists such as The Ohio Players, Lakeside and Bootsy Collins which would later influence Dorian musically.  Dorian learned how to read music when he was 9 while playing the trumpet in the elementary school band.  In 6^th grade, Dorian’s family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where he played the drums in middle school and sang in his Baptist church choir from 8^th grade until high school graduation.^[4]

Career

Basketball career

After graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington, Dorian made 800 cold phone calls and sent 1300 cold emails in hopes of landing a basketball coaching job.^[5]  Dorian would get hired at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina.  In 2009, Dorian enrolled in graduate school at the University of Central Florida and coached high school basketball at Montverde Academy under Kevin Sutton.^[6][7]  In the offseason, he trained University of Florida basketball player Patric Young.^[8]  Dorian would also coach at Virginia Commonwealth University under Shaka Smart and Jacksonville University under Cliff Warren.^[9] In 2012, Dorian wrote for ESPN's TrueHoop Network covering the Orlando Magic.^[10]

Musical career

Dorian performing on Prodigy's The Commissary Kitchen Tour in Los Angeles, CA.

On Valentine’s Day 2014, Dorian bought Apple's music production software Logic Pro X.^[11]  He taught himself how to make beats from YouTube tutorials.^[12] In 2015, Dorian signed a digital distribution deal.  On Valentine’s Day 2015, Dorian released his first project, The D.U.C.K. Tape.   Dorian then moved back to Indianapolis and began to work on his second project with music producer Joey French.^[13]  Dorian and Joey French met while attending Indiana University.  In May 2015, Dorian released “Sunshine” as the lead single to his second album.^[14]  On October 28, 2015, Dorian released his second full-length LP Every Scar Has A Story to critical acclaim.^[15]  Every Scar Has A Story was co-executive produced by Joey French and featured comedian Rob Sherrell.^[16]

Upon moving to Los Angeles, California for his music career, Dorian released the single “Don’t Sleep” on YouTube.  After the audio version received 60,000 views, Dorian released "Don’t Sleep" to music streaming services Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal in August 2016.^[17][18] Dorian collaborated with Def Jam signee and Indianapolis rapper Mark Battles for the "Don't Sleep" remix.^[19]  On October 28, 2016, Dorian opened up for Prodigy on The Commissary Kitchen Tour, which would be his last show in Los Angeles before his death.^[20]  The music video for "Don't Sleep" premiered on iHeartRadio's WZRL Real 98.3 Indianapolis.^[21] In 2017, So You Think You Can Dance Champion Kida The Great choreographed a routine to “Don’t Sleep” that went viral.^[22]  Later that year, comedienne Jessica Vanessa used “Don’t Sleep” to score posts on Instagram.^[23] In April 2017, Dorian received FM radio play with his single "Even Love Me" debuting on WRIU 90.3 FM.^[24]

Influences

Dorian lists Kanye West’s The College Dropout, JAY-Z’s The Blueprint, Eminem’s The Eminem Show, Nas’ Stillmatic and Yo Gotti’s Back 2 Da Basics as his favorite rap albums of all time.^[25]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Videography

Concert tours

Supporting

• The Commissary Kitchen Tour (with Prodigy) (2016)

References

External links

• Official website
• Dorian at AllMusic
• Dorian discography at Discogs
• Dorian discography at MusicBrainz