Today we’d like to introduce you to MR DOZ.
Hi MR, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
“I was born by the river. In a little tent, and like the river I been running ever since…”
Naw, but seriously… I was born in Detroit in the 80’s and when I was a few months old my mama left Detroit to California with herself and I, with no savings or idea where to go but with the mission to thrive.
As a child I visited my family in Detroit periodically, but will never forget being influenced by my grandmother and her jazz & blues band. She had a full touring group and they traveled the world, but when she was home and I was there visiting I’d watch them rehearse in her basement which is where I fell in love with live music.
Throughout school, I’d sing and love hearing my voice in various locations as the color and timbre could sometimes change based on what I felt were my ancestors talking to me. I never pursued a music career seriously as I wanted to retain my love for it without me needing to depend on it for basic necessities. So as I got to Littlerock High School (in Littlerock, CA), I began falling in love with all forms of storytelling, from visual arts, to theatre, improv and comedy sports.
Flash forward 10 years later after years working in the music video & photography industry, I met my wife and we decided to build a family and have our first child, and at that time I thought I should maybe take this music thing more serious, especially as an outlet from corporations with very little creative expression. So I began investing time and energy and money into a performing at open mics and showcases. I thought maybe. one day I’d be able to make a return on the enjoyment I get from simply creating. Once COVID came, the possibility came a reality and so I decided to record & release my first professional project, “Sweet Dozier”.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road at all, especially as I got more serious and closer to working with Grammy winners and nominees, the challenges elevated as much as the opportunities.
In February of 2024, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer which has since metastasized to my spine, back and lungs, and had two major surgeries to save & improve the quality of my life.
Three months later, I lost my entire home in a complete fire loss. My safe space for my four children, wife and mother in law was gone. At that point I set off to partially distract but also redirect the stress and hopelessness at the time, and began working on my magnum opus, a larger than life Transmedia storytelling project called “The Super Neguverse”.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
By day, I work as an External Affairs Manager for a large non-profit in education. Working at this company for almost two decades, it afforded me the work life balance to create, while in the daytime being the problem solver and tech savvy out the box thinker that operates as a servant leader to get the job done. At night I made room to not only be a full time father but also a part time creator and musician. Through all of the journey, I’m most proud of my perspective of the world and how it’s allowed me to deal with inequities, pain, suffering and doubt while still seeking excellence in self while documenting truth for my youth to understand.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Don’t waste no time, be intentional with your down time and more productive when you’re in the thick of it. Find the shortest path to a solution, then check it ten times before leaping.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fyi.me/p/theemrdoz
- Instagram: @TheeMRDOZ
- Facebook: @TheeMRDOZ
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrdozier?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: @TheeMRDOZ
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/krlz5QduUjk?si=qkSqmyrp56MRwF12
Image Credits
Chris Cuffaro JayEff Photo
