What’s your stage name and where are you from?
My stage name is Dio Gin, and I’m from Boston, Massachusetts.

What’s the story behind your stage name?
Dio Gin is short for Diogenes, which is my middle name. It means “honest.” The name originated while playing a wrestling video game that wouldn’t let me use my full name. I wrote Dio Gin, and people started calling me that from then on. For more on my stage name, check out my interview with Respect The Name, now streaming on YouTube.

Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
I started with the Pangea Pham and went solo in 2016 to create Jazzy Gin World. Since then, I’ve released three critically acclaimed albums and started an interview series called Respect The Name. My journey has been about growth, experimentation, and authenticity.

Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
I was working on a song I had originally saved for a later album, and I managed to secure a feature from an emcee I deeply respect—Wordsworth. His verse was so incredible that I reworked the entire song and added it to an already finished album, updating the track list to accommodate the collaboration.

What message do you want to convey through your music?
Hip-hop artists, especially lyricists, should have no limits when creating music. We should feel free to do what feels right while maintaining our credibility as emcees, even if we experiment with other styles of music.

Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
One of the biggest challenges is losing files for a song I’ve recorded. Another frustrating situation is falling in love with a beat only to discover that the producer doesn’t have the stems for it. Both require patience and adaptability to move forward.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Nas. He’s my favorite artist of all time, and collaborating with him would be a dream come true.

Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
On tours around the world and landing TV shows or movie sync placements.

What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
Continuing to evolve by doing whatever I didn’t do the year before.

Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
My latest album, The People’s Champion, is now streaming on digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and more. Simply search for “Dio Gin” on any platform to find my music.

What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
The best way to contact me is through Instagram: @dio_gin, or via email at diogin99@gmail.com.