It has often been said that everything we are and everything in the universe originated from stardust. And it is our biological correlation with these remnants of stars that have shattered in our galaxies millions of years ago that make us each brilliant. Rising artist Butch Dawson wants to show just that – his own artistic brilliance and this close relation to the universe – with his latest EP, aptly titled, Stardust. 

“I’m leaving my effect on the game, just leaving my Stardust effect on a game,” said Dawson. “I’m showing the industry how I make my music, how I do my things.” 

The EP functions as a story – showing people just who Butch Dawson is and what he sounds like. The artist cements his legacy and highlights his star-quality with his experimental perspective and perfect bar execution. Traversing rap, jazz and even a little punk, Stardust skillfully blends all genres into an upbeat and infectious sound. And while the fusion of rap with jazz may be a surprise to many, it actually stems from the artist’s background in Baltimore, specifically the iconic jazz strip, Pennsylvania Ave.  

“Overall, this [EP] is for the world, but mainly, I’m doing it for Baltimore,” the West Baltimore native shared.  

A couple of days ago, the 28-year-old artist ushered his latest project with an equally headbanging EP release party at Ludlow House in New York City. In a room packed with friends and family, the artist unveiled the work he’s been producing over the last year. And while this is a pivotal career moment for the artist that just signed on with Asylum Records, he shared that he is not so focused on the highlights but on reaching his bigger musical goals.  

We spoke to the up-and-coming artist right before his epic EP release performance to understand the EP’s inspirations and aspirations along with the artist’s emotions at that moment. 

VMAN: First congrats on Stardust! How long has this been in the making? 

Butch Dawson: It took me like, really the whole 2020. Because while the pandemic was going on, I had so much time. And those were the times when I was bogged down by different phases of emotions and stuff like that. I’ve moved three times that year, and I just had a lot of time on my hands. So the whole 2020 was basically like a planning period for me. And in retrospect, it was just like, I want this to come out. But it just took so much time. So yeah, 2020 I made the whole EP like during that whole duration. 

VM: What have you been up to prior to the album release? 

BD: I was coming up off with some great momentum during my recent project Ollieworld.I was still modeling. I was also, I did a tour with JPEGMAFIA. And then the COVID thing happened, a lot of sh*t just like spiraling down and just like, especially for a lot of independent artists, they just like affected a whole bunch. 

VM: And now that you’re finally here, and you’re about to perform it like how does that feel? Like what are the emotions that are going through you right now?

BD: I just got a little nervous excitement. But I’m just ready to turn non-believers to believers, that’s my, that’s my motto. No matter where you are, no matter what kind of art you do, you always going to affect someone in some kind of way, whether it’s good or bad. But to me, I get motivation when people say I can’t do something.

VM: What’s the meaning behind Stardust? 

BD: So Stardust is basically like, my transition into, I guess being a household name. You know, getting signed to a major label outside of Baltimore, it’s like this really big. And just leaving my effect on the game, just leaving my Stardust effect on a game – showing the industry how I make my music, how I do my things. And this is just the beginning.

VM: And what were some of the ideas or themes you wanted to talk about? 

BD: It wasn’t really no thoughts behind some of the songs because it’s like, I was just trying to think about how to make catchy, appealing songs. And I will say like the beginning, like the intro, you know, just resonates with just everything now. And it’s called celebrate when I say I want to celebrate, but it’s not the time. And it’s like, a lot of people ask me, I’m excited for a lot and I’m just like I don’t really get my hopes up. I just let my talent speak for itself. And that’s what it was just celebrating me just taking this step into a whole new chapter of my career. Like, there’s no meaning what the songs but just the meaning as in the assignment. I did the assignment. 

VM: So for people who may not be aware, how would you describe your sound currently? 

BD: I would describe my sound like energy-driven – heavy jazz influence. Overall, like my sound is like experimental, energy-driven, raw. And one way I can elaborate on raw is like, punk. Also, there’s still hip hop, like, rap-sh*t, you know. 

VM: And last question from us is what do you hope this EP and your songs in general will do for people? 

BD: I just want to let people know that it’s never too late to follow your dreams or, like, get whatever kind of success you’re looking for no matter how old you are. Like, I’m 28 I might not look like I’m 28. Just to let a lot of people know, even from my city that you can do it too. You know, I’m saying like, overall, like, this is for the world, but mainly, I’m doing it for Baltimore. You know, so I feel like that’s what I want people to leave with this project and understand, like, you know, you can always like step outside the box. And, like, when me like, that’s what I’m doing. Like, this is a challenge for me, you know, just even making these type of songs. Just, you know, I’m not, I’m not mad about it. Some people just like, Oh, I don’t like to make this type of song I like is a challenge for me as far as you know. So I just want to leave a lot of artists with that message that you can do this too.