Rising Stars: Meet Adrian Dillard

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrian Dillard. 

Hi Adrian, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Influenced by my older cousin “Avereal” (Averill), I wrote my first verse at 14 years old to the instrumental “Knuck If You Buck” by Crime Mob. Later on in life, after freestyling with a couple friends I finally stepped in front of a mic at the age of 23 for the first time. Addicted to hearing myself and actually believing I can be an artist, I started to write again and turning my poems into verses. I publicly released my first song on SoundCloud in 2015, “Poundcake Freestyle 2,0,” it was a freestyle on Drake’s Poundcake instrumental. Also, that’s the year I joined forces with a childhood friend and became 2woDifrnt. For 5 years we did 3 projects, multiple singles, and features, and did over 100s of shows locally and out of state. We open up for names like Ace Hood, Montana 300, Bezz Believe, and Jacquees. Had shows in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Miami, and Texas for SXSW. 

In the beginning of 2020, we decided to pursue solo careers. Shortly after, in February 2020, alongside with Bridget Voyce I began Hu$h Money Entertainment LLC. Originally created for a modeling career I was pursuing at the time we decided to extend it to the music side. Now releasing songs as “Afta Dollas” and under Hu$h Money It felt like a fresh start to my career. Bridget has a daughter that loves to sing so we decided to sign here as our first artist. Aleyah Deller is her name, but she goes by F-LOW. She released her song “Underestimated” June 2021. The song explains her life living with Bilateral Anophthalmia, which is the condition when you are born with the absence of both eyes and feeling like others underestimated her ability to do things on her own. From there I began to learn to mix and master my music, make cover art, and even shoot videos. I released my first in-home solo project June 2022. Shortly after a single in July 2022 “Back like 45” produced, mixed, and mastered, and Video all done by Cracka Lack. One of Lansing top producers. December 2022, I released Davinci, and Feb 2023 I released “1of1” Produced by London’s Sena Beats. 

If you’re interested in checking out any music or socials here is my link 

https://linktr.ee/aftadollas 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I believe the biggest potholes in this road are the finical and marketing. It takes so much money to be an independent artist from paying for video, studio time, beats to paying for shows to open for artist, features, good podcasts you name it. When it comes to marketing it’s all about promoting yourself first and then finding different opportunities that can get you noticed, which isn’t always the easiest. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m Co-Ceo of Hu$h Money Entertainment LLC. and also an artist too. The main two genres I specialize in are R&B and Hip-Hop but also done other genres in the past. Mostly known for rocking the stage with crazy energy and catchy lyrics. The entertainment has to be my proudest achievement because it made me expand to being an Engineer, Videographer, learning how to make cover art, etc. 

I believe the things that set me apart is actually the passion and determination for wanting to be successful and at the same remaining humble and retaining my humanity. I want to be successful so bad I don’t sleep lol. Endless hours in the studio and writing. Doing contest and reviews to get noticed. Being as passionate as I am about music, I always give flowers to other artists in my presence. Always inspired by others.

What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a single-parent household along with three brother siblings. At the age of 5, I started playing organized basketball at the local YMCA and continued until 11th grade. I was a quiet, shy child but developed a funny and competitive personality to do the court life. I also I had a strong interest in video games and even thought about starting a YouTube channel with my highlights from gameplay. 

Pricing:

• Features (Varies)
• Video Appearance (Varies)
• Beat Exclusives (Varies)
• Event Booking (Varies)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/aftadollas
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aftadollasofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adrian.dillard.3
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXJlfGdGBcjUe59Q8pYZRqw

Image Credits
Nicholas Bozzo
Bridget Voyce