Meet Dolapo Akinkugbe | Artist & Lawyer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dolapo Akinkugbe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dolapo, what principle do you value most?
Ownership. This has guided a lot of my decision-making in life over my music career, from pursuing and obtaining a law degree and focusing in IP law, to maintaining ownership of my masters and publishing as I independently build my brand and leverage with which I can then demand a deal that is favorable to me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is very autobiographical. I draw from experiences and observations in my life or the lives of people closest to me. As a classically-trained pianist (since the age of 4), I produce all my own music. I am most proud of my perseverance in staying independent and maintaining ownership of the rights in my music because of the hours I’ve spent developing my craft and my brand and being a self-sustainable artist. The biggest challenge has been trusting my gut and blocking out the noise of people encouraging me to drop out of school and pursue music full-time. My journey through law-school and now as an IP attorney was very isolating at times as I had to navigate such an unusual balance between the 2 careers, but the challenge motivated me to prove that it could be done. The consistent incline of my career, even through law school and studying for the NY bar exam, taught me just how much resilience I have, and reinforced for myself that I wasn’t crazy for pursuing both careers together.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would likely take them to the Van Gogh Exhibit “The Immersive Experience” and then to a vegan-Ethiopian restaurant my wife and I love called Ras Plant Based in Brooklyn. and a local bar such as Lovers Rock. The itinerary would be full of other Nigerian, French and Chinese restaurants in Brooklyn and Manhattan and walks in Brooklyn Bridge Park and the lake by Prospect Park.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife. Between my wife and I, we have directed/filmed or photographer/edited ~80% of my music videos and photoshoots. Beyond hands-on involvement in my art, she has juggled several positions, such as being my manager, booking agent, stylist, and always my number 1 support.

Website: dapthecontract.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dapthecontract/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oludolapo-akinkugbe-91536059/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DAPTheContract

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dapthecontract

Youtube: https://youtube.com/dapthecontract

Image Credits
Small Frye, Chevaun Samuels, Rekhalala