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In Conversation With Dogan, The Hip Hop Artist Who Just Dropped His Debut EP Dolce

How long has music been a part of your life? How did it all start for you? 

 

Music has always played a big role in my life from the days of ridin around with my mom blastin our favorite artists, when I was a child, to spittin random freestyles with friends. I felt like music was a tool I could use to fully express myself which stemmed from being around my musically talented friends. Music really began to pique my interest when people close to me started to gain a little traction in the industry. At that point I had the “if they can do it, so can I” mentality. 

 

What is your most powerful skill when it comes to rapping? 

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Many people will tell you it’s my flow for sure. I spent countless hours in the studio perfecting my flow although it’s still not 100% where I want it to be. To me, an artist’s flow is the most important aspect of the song and it’s all about finding that pocket. Once you find that certain pocket in the beat, you could honestly say just about anything, and it will sound great. 

 

In what way do you aim to make a difference in urban culture? 

 

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I plan to put my people on game with how to win in life. African Americans have always gotten the short end of the stick in this country. Not only that, but we were also brought here against our will to build something for someone else. They don’t like to give us the “life hacks” such as investing in stocks, how to pay little to no taxes, or how to get ahead in life in general. I want to even the playing field as best as I can and that’s what I aim to do. That’s why I talk about stocks and “money moves” in my music. I want my people to realize there’s more to life than waking up, going to their 9-5, and going home to sleep. 

 

How do you put words on paper? What is your creative process like?

 

I normally use the notes app on the iPhone. I tried to write in a notebook when I began to take music seriously, but it ended up being a page full of crossed out phrases and that was annoying. Most of the time I’ll shuffle through a catalog of instrumentals I rock with, then get to work off the random. Other times I’ll be on a trip or something crazy happened and I’m like “I need to put this in a song” or “I need to make an entire song about this”. So, I’ll write down what happened or what I did that day(s), find an instrumental when I’m free, then get the process going. It always depends on my mood.

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Are you more of a recording artist or performer, or both?

 

As of right now I’m more of a recording artist, but that’s only because I haven’t performed live yet. When I do perform live, I feel like I’ll transition to being more of a performer than a recording artist and that’s because I feed off the energy off others. When I’m at parties, I’m usually one of the most lit people there. I’m always trying to get people hype and in their zone. I feel that if I applied the same concept to performing my music, I could be one of the best performers ever. 

 

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How do you see your sound evolving in the next coming years? 

 

I see myself still working on trap beats because those are what fit me best right now personally; however, I’ve grown accustomed to the Detroit sound. Once I have enough music out, don’t be surprised if you hear a majority of trap and Detroit instrumentals.

 

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

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Money Man easily because he is changing the game right now and is currently doing what I referred to in question 3 which is putting people on game. Money Man always talks that talk and between crypto and stocks, he’s put a lot of people on. Getting on a song with him would do wonders. 

 

Your EP Dolce is incredibly original, well performed and in many ways inspiring. If you had to describe in just a couple of words, what would you share? 

 

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DOLCE was mainly about me being me and introducing people to DOGAN. Many people know Derrick, but they don’t know Dogan, and Dolce was a way of getting myself and my name out there. I’ve got plenty more to come though, stay tuned.

Follow Dogan: InstagramSpotifyTwitter

 

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Entertainment

Drew Carey, 66, Enjoys Lunch Date with 37-Year-Old OnlyFans Star Niki Skyler in L.A.

Drew Carey

Having survived one of the darkest chapters of his life, Drew Carey appears to be finding a little light again and perhaps even a second chance at love.

The 66-year-old Price Is Right presenter, comic, and TV legend has been seen dining with 37-year-old content creator and OnlyFans model Niki Skyler at the hot retro diner Swingers Diner in Los Angeles. The sighting, which happened on a leisurely Thursday afternoon, has fans and entertainment observers alike abuzz: Is Carey finally unsealing his heart, five years after the heartbreaking death of his ex-fiancée, Amie Harwick?

Casual and smiling, Carey appeared at ease in a simple gray tee and jeans. Skyler, who’s developed a steady online following over the past couple of years, caught eyes in a soft-pink crop top, matching skirt, and oversized sunglasses. They talked closely while digging into burgers and milkshakes, laughing at one point as they exchanged fries and stories. While representatives for both Carey and Skyler haven’t confirmed any romance, it’s evident that there’s at least some chemistry.

In February 2020, Carey’s life was upended by a tragedy he couldn’t have imagined: the murder of his ex-fiancée, Dr. Amie Harwick, a therapist and high-profile advocate for victims of domestic violence in her Los Angeles home. The suspect was an ex-boyfriend of Harwick’s, and her death sent ripples not just through Carey’s personal life but through the entertainment world and mental health communities as well. Carey and Harwick had amicably separated the previous year, but the couple remained good friends. In the days after her death, Carey spoke openly about the heartbreak on his SiriusXM show, calling Harwick a “beautiful, positive force,” and saying her death is “something I’ll never truly get over.”

Friends said Carey withdrew from public life in the period that followed. Though he went on to host The Price Is Right with grace and professionalism, he mostly avoided the Hollywood social circuit and kept his private life tightly sealed. This is why this recent public outing with Skyler, relaxed, candid, and intimate, feels like such a big deal.

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For those who are not in the know, Niki Skyler is new to the internet scene. She is an online content creator currently on OnlyFans and linking subscribers through social media. A mash-up of influencer, entrepreneur, and artist, Skyler has honed a following that appreciates her headstrong, body-positive, no-holds-barred approach to life. A Midwestern native, Skyler relocated to Los Angeles in her late twenties to work in modeling and independent media. She has starred in music videos and lifestyle campaigns and has turned to podcasting, too. Although her OnlyFans work has generated headlines, Skyler says her mission is empowerment: “I want to control my narrative,” she told a fan in a recent Q&A on Instagram.

Skyler’s relationship to Carey isn’t quite clear, whether the two crossed paths through mutual friends, a shared project, or just by chance. But those who witnessed their lunch date saw an ease between them that implied something more than a casual get-together. “They were kind of into each other’s company,” one onlooker said. “It didn’t seem like a publicity stunt or anything. They were simply two people enjoying a very good time.” It’s not unusual for Hollywood notables to fall in love in surprising locations and combinations. But this new chapter feels particularly poignant for Carey, whose career has included decades of stand-up, successful sitcoms, and dominance on daytime TV.

Carey is famous for his self-deprecating wit and down-to-earth disposition and has never been known for his high-flying romances. His relationships were mostly kept out of the news before Harwick. And that’s why fans are cheering for him now, hoping this moment of connection, even if just friendship, means something healing. “Drew deserves happiness,” a longtime fan said on Reddit after lunch photos circulated. “Given everything he’s been through, seeing him smile with someone again is nice.” And smile he did throughout lunch, Carey appeared genuinely happy, leaning in as Skyler spoke excitedly, shooting the occasional gesture, and pushing her hair behind her ear. The men lingered for almost two hours before stepping out of the diner together, toward the front door, and Carey was polite as ever, waiting for his partner to walk through first.

However, any relationship or even friendly outing between a mainstream TV personality in his 60s and a 30-something digital personality will surely raise eyebrows. But the reception to Carey and Skyler’s outing has mainly been positive, even refreshingly open-minded. The age difference? “It’s Hollywood,” one fan shrugged. “They’re both adults, and quite frankly, who cares, if they’re happy?” Others mentioned the difference between Carey’s traditional showbiz background and Skyler’s new-media presence. Their partnership is in many ways a clash of eras — one formed by network TV and old-school comedy, the other forged in the digital world of subscriptions, self-branding, and immediate fan connection. “Maybe that’s what makes them work,” as another observer hypothesized. “They’ve both created their own path and achieved success outside the things you would assume. That’s pretty cool.”

So far, neither Carey nor Skyler has commented publicly on their lunch date, and there has been no indication whether this is the start of a romance, a potential new friendship, or even a collaboration in the pipeline. However their connection is, one thing is for sure, the moment is landing. In an era of celebrity couples whose relationships are so heavily marketed and repackaged that they increasingly resemble an exercise in brand management, this one feels deliciously unpretentious, a low-key lunch between two people, no frills, no rush, no glitz, sprinkled with just enough intrigue to make everyone’s ears perk up. And for Carey, in particular, the timing could not be more significant. “He has always seemed to be a genuine, kind person,” said a fan. “Seeing him smiling once more, even for an afternoon serves as a reminder that healing is possible.”

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So, are Drew Carey and Niki Skyler falling for each other or just enjoying a pal? Number three: Underneath the lights and the cameras, the grief and the healing, the fame and the reinvention, there’s always room for joy, laughter, and perhaps even love. And who knows? For a man used to spending years judging whether others’ guesses were the correct price, maybe he’s finally found something rivals have no formula for calculating: the cost is priceless.

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Entertainment

Is Rihanna Secretly Shooting a Music Video in Paris?

Rihanna

Shocking news has done the rounds as speculative reports of Rihanna filming for a music video in Paris. There hasn’t been an official announcement, but given the new reports, it sounds like the City of Light will likely be the setting for her next artistic project. ​

Rihanna has dropped hint after hint of her comeback to music. Fans report that she is also nearing the finish line with her ninth fully realized studio effort, an album that will signal a departure with its continuity and freshness. Rihanna, over the years, through interviews, has additionally mentioned that she does not wish to write something that does not reflect her growth and evolution as an Artist, and the new album will not be “commercial or radio digestible” and it’s where her Artistry needs to be. ​

Check out this article: Why Rihanna’s Return to Music in 2025 Is the Comeback of the Decade

Paris has long inspired artists, and Rihanna is no exception. The city has become a central hub for her fashion projects, and there are rumors she might have her next Fenty Puma fashion show at Paris Fashion Week. Considering her deep connections to the city and its vibrant artistic milieu, it would be understandable if she selected Paris as the location for a new music video. ​

There are no official confirmations, but for several reasons, it seems like they might be shooting a music video in Paris. Rihanna’s creative team has been said to have been working in secret in Los Angeles to prepare for the return. Reviewed only by you, the best of the best 😉 She has seen a parallel increase in her new dancing persona as a singer, cementing these worlds together, which could lead to a crazy visual music video in Paris. ​

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Adding fuel to that speculation is the potential of a world tour in 2025, rumored to be for Rihanna. A new music video shot in Paris would be a strong advertisement for her, reigniting fans’ eagerness and priming her return to the stage. And at a time when she is expected to make a big splash including a £32million deal with Live Nation and headlining prime festival slots for Glastonbury, the release of a new music video is perfectly timmed alongside this anticipated resurrection. ​

While fans are still waiting for confirmation, the prospect of a Rihanna music video filming in Paris could join the growing plot twists in her return story. Whether or not this is a strategic way to intertwine her music and fashion pursuits or an extension of her artistic vision, we are excited by the notion of Rihanna taking over the streets of Paris for a new video. ​

What do you think? Rihanna is filming a secret music video worldwide? If you found this article interesting, comment and let us know your thoughts!

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