EP. 016 - DANTE

Revolutionary. Rapper. Introvert.

DANTE MITCHELL

'PRINCE OF THE GHETTO'

Age: 29

Location: Los Angeles, California

IG: @princ3ofth3gh3tto

My mom died of breast cancer 15 days before my 7th birthday. Pops went to prison a few years later. Growing up without parents made me introverted. I’ve spent my life trying to understand...everything. Silence became my sanctuary. I overthink a lot, almost to the point of paranoia. I’m constantly analyzing situations trying to figure out if they’re genuine or not. Is it safe? Will it leave?

Oftentimes, we can think ourselves out of a good thing. We get so stuck in our heads that we forget to be present. I almost thought myself out of my purpose. Despite music being my passion, I put it on the backburner because I was overthinking my peers’ responses. I know that the subjects I speak on aren’t accepted on a commercial scale so I was denying the gift God gave me for fear of it being rejected. For fear of me being rejected. When I took the first step, everything fell into place.

I continue to take the first step, no matter how afraid I get, because I have a responsibility to my community. I have a responsibility to my 7 year old self. I have to show us what happens when you keep fighting. I have to be the leader my mom birthed me to be.

Ancestry.