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Interview: Q&A

Dear Santa: Dax talks new music, Ottawa, plans for 2020 & more

Dear Santa: Dax talks new music, Ottawa, plans for 2020 and more

This past Wednesday, Ottawa artist Dax returned home for the sixth and second last Ontario stop on his I’m Coming Home Canadian Tour. Babylon Nightclub on Bank Street hosted the tour which had already completed 10 out of 16 dates before reaching the Nation’s Capital.

The budding star, who lives in LA when he’s not on the road, has three more dates on the tour including tonight (Dec. 20) inside Montreal’s Le Belmont, Sunday, Dec. 22 inside the Moncton Lions Club, and then Monday, Dec. 23 inside Sniggily Wiggily’s in Halifax.  

Dear Santa: Dax talks new music, Ottawa, plans for 2020 and more

Dax performs in Ottawa (Photo: Flee Normality)

2019 has been a great year for the 25-year-old talent. After breaking out in 2017 with his Bhad Bhabie-inspired smash hit “Cash Me Outside,” (20+ million views on the video count) Dax has continued to raise his profile in US markets while also building a growing fanbase internationally.

Dax began his first headlining tour with the mid-October release of “Dear God,” which went on to reach viral status at over 13 million views and over 60K comments. Both the video and Encore Beats-produced single were trending on and off on YouTube and Spotify in several countries, including Canada. On Spotify, the song has become one of Dax’s most popular to date. The Genius Verified clip has been viewed over 215K times to date.

“Dear God” was followed by “Self Proclaimed 3,” produced by Ottawa’s own LexNour Beats, who followed a similar path to Dax in moving to LA to pursue a career in music. LexNour has produced some of Dax’s biggest recordings including the 2018 single “She Cheated Again,” which is sitting at an impressive 21.4 million streams on Spotify.  

Dear Santa: Dax talks new music, Ottawa, plans for 2020 and more

Dax as Santa Claus in “Dear Santa”

Today, Dax releases a Christmas-inspired and Dopant Beats-produced track called “Dear Santa,” (which has nothing to do with “Dear God,” as Dax clarified in our recent interview). He also dropped a music video for the song including a holiday greeting for his fans: “MERRY CHRISTMAS! Lets spread THE Christmas Spirit. Share with your friend and family! LYRICS BELOW. Love y’all!”

This isn’t the first time Dax has gotten in the holiday spirit through his music. This time last year he dropped “Dear Black Santa,” which was also backed by Dopant Beats production.

The “Dear Santa” video, featuring The Grinch, was directed by Moses Israel, and features dancers Cassidy Grace, Kim Manstur and India Hawkins.

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You can find “Dear Santa” on various digital streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.

Check out the “Dear Santa” video below along with our recent brief interview with Dax where he discusses his plans for 2020, some of his favourite aspects of Ottawa, new music and more.


Q&A: Dax

HipHopCanada: Welcome home. Let’s talk about your new song dropping on Friday, “Dear Santa.” I haven’t heard it yet. Other than the holidays being upon us, what inspired the track and does it have any connection to your recent joint, Dear God?

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Dax: Christmas inspired the track. It has no connection to “Dear God.” I just wanted to create something that would bring back memories of Christmas for people and help create a fun mood.

HipHopCanada: What inspired you to move to Los Angeles? What were your initial goals when arriving in the city?

Dax: Music inspired me to move and my goals were and still are to be one of the most impactful artists ever.  

Dear Santa: Dax talks new music, Ottawa, plans for 2020 and more

Dax performs in Ottawa (Photo: Flee Normality)

HipHopCanada: At what point did you realize that you were really taking your music career to the next level? Was there a particular day or situation where you realized you were close to being a legitimate rap star?

Dax: The day I wrote my first poem on the way to a basketball game my junior year of college was the day I knew.

HipHopCanada: The LexNour Beats-produced “She Cheated Again” is easily your biggest single to date, with over 21 million streams on Spotify, and over 15 millions views on YouTube on the video. As you told Genius this time last year, it was inspired by your ex. Have you spoken with her since revealing she was your muse, and has she been the inspiration for any of your other tracks?

Dax: Yes, we’ve spoke sparingly. And not really any other love songs have been inspired my flings since then.

HipHopCanada: In that same song, you mention that you’re dealing with depression. Fast forward a year, are you still dealing with that. If so, what are you doing to address it. If not, what did you do to overcome it?

Dax: I’m no longer sad about that relationship. Time heals all wounds.  

Dear Santa: Dax talks new music, Ottawa, plans for 2020 and more

Dax performs in Ottawa (Photo: Flee Normality)

HipHopCanada: How has the Ottawa hip-hop scene changed since you first started making music?

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Dax: I’m not sure. I never made music when I lived here. I know about the basketball scene though.

HipHopCanada: How different are the last few shows you’ve played compared to the first time you’ve performed in Ottawa?

Dax: It was about 10 months ago and this is my first time back since then. The difference is there is more people. Hopefully it keeps growing.

HipHopCanada: Even while living in LA, you still connected with an Ottawa producer (LexNour) for a bunch of records. Are there any other Ottawa artists or producers that you’re interested in working with or recently connected with?

Dax: Keynes Woods is dope. That’s my boy from long time.  

Dear Santa: Dax talks new music, Ottawa, plans for 2020 and more

Dax performs in Ottawa (Photo: Flee Normality)

HipHopCanada: Some more Ottawa-related questions. Some of these might need to be based on what you remember from when you last lived here. Here we go—what’s the best place to grab food in town?

Dax: Moxie’s.

HipHopCanada: Best place to get gear?

Dax: Sport Chek.

HipHopCanada: Best way to spend a Friday night/weekend?

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Dax: Hoopin’, or getting lit with the mandem and some tings.

HipHopCanada: What are your plans for the holidays? Your publicist mentioned you’d be spending time in Ottawa with your family. Can fans expect to see you around town or will you be keeping it lowkey?

Dax: I’m a lowkey guy. If it’s high key I’m on the octave. Ya dig?

HipHopCanada: Dax, thanks for taking the time to connect with us. What can your growing fanbase expect from you in 2020? What’s the biggest thing you home to accomplish by the end of the year? by little flings I’ve been in since then.

Dax: In 2020 my family can expect the best and most hard hitting content out. Biggest thing I hope to accomplish is be considered one of the best doing it. Period. And make an impact.  

Dear Santa: Dax talks new music, Ottawa, plans for 2020 and more

Dax performs in Ottawa (Photo: Flee Normality)


Photography by Flee Normality
Interview and introduction by Jesse Plunkett for HipHopCanada

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