DESS DiOR: ENTERING A NEW ERA WiTH ‘TAKE NOTES’ EP [INTERVIEW]

The trajectory of a Hip Hop artist is often measured by their ability to balance bravado with growth, and for Dess Dior, that evolution has never felt more intentional. Following the success of her 2022 project Raw, the St. Louis-born, Savannah-raised rapper is no longer just “playing with music” as she did in her childhood; she is defining a standard. Her latest project serves as both a manual for self-worth and a sonic map of her personal transition into a more versatile, vulnerable space.

In this exclusive sit-down with VIPER, Dess Dior opens up about the drive she inherited from her musical lineage, the high-vibration studio sessions in Atlanta that birthed her most emotive tracks, and why stepping out of her comfort zone for a global sound was a risk worth taking. Whether she is collaborating with friends like Mariah the Scientist or curating a wardrobe that is “Cunt, Edgy, and Classy,” Dess is making it clear: she isn’t just part of the conversation—she’s leading it.

When you think about this project as a whole, what chapter of your life does it represent for you? 

I would say it represents where I am right now in my life. It’s been very transitional, and it’s really just a representation of me standing on everything I’ve learned this far. I’ve grown a lot as a woman and an artist, so I just wanted this EP to reflect that.

Take us back a little, where are you from, and how did where you grew up shape your confidence and approach to music?

I was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and I was raised in Savannah, Georgia. I have musicians in my family. My cousin is Chingy, so I grew up close to the music industry and I think that really inspired me to even try to play with it as a kid. I used to always want my friends to make Rap groups with me when I was literally like five or six years old.

Savannah is where I would say I really transformed into who I am, when I moved I started to play with it more. I was in a Rap group with my best friend Jada. It was called ‘Caution’, and I was the one who was really, really passionate about it. So once my dad realised that I had that passion, that real drive for it, he motivated me to actually give it a try seriously.

For fans who connected deeply with your project ‘Raw’ released in 2022, what do you think will surprise them the most when they hear this EP?

I feel like there was more range with this project, and I was very intentional. I wanted to show my diversity and just me tapping into a little more of my vulnerability. That was really important to me, and I think that’s what the difference was from ‘Raw’.

The ‘Take Notes’ EP has a strong theme of women empowerment, high standards, and self-worth. Were you intentionally setting the tone for how you want to be perceived?

Yeah, absolutely. I want my listeners to feel very empowered. I want them to feel like they shouldn’t have a problem with raising their standards and having high requirements when it comes to themselves and protecting their energy, because I don’t want my music to exemplify settling in any area of your life.

Was the track order, from bold songs like ‘Come Correct’ to softer ones like ‘Go’, ‘Spinning’, and ‘Different Pages’, meant to show different sides of you?

Yeah, for sure. I was very intentional when it came to the lineup of the songs, the song choices specifically. I was very intentional about the whole project. So I wanted it to kind of tell a story in a way, starting more upbeat to bring us in, then slowing it down to close out that story.

Which track on this EP feels the most personal to you and why?

I would say ‘Different Pages’ simply because it talks about relationships and just being in a very emotional, confused, wrong time and state, and accepting that. I feel like during the time I was making this project, and even just up until recently, that’s what I was experiencing the most.

You brought in strong personalities like Saucy Santana and KenTheMan. How important was it for you to collaborate with artists who match your confidence?

For ‘Most Likely’, it was all about expanding and elevating the original record to something even more powerful. Both of them have a very distinct voice, style of music, and influential presence in the media, period. So I felt like it was a no-brainer when I was presented with the opportunity to have both of them on the song.

‘Favourite Girl’ with UK artist Darkoo felt like a global, summer moment. What inspired this collaboration and how did that dynamic shape that record?

Well, it really came about very, very organically. I like my records to be very organic and natural. So me and Darkoo, we actually had a friendship outside of just music. And she had a song and was like, “I think it would be on fire with you on it.” At first, I really didn’t think I would do it because it forced me to push myself past my limit, as it was a little different for me. I had never done an Afrobeats-type song, but I’m glad I did it because it worked very, very well.

‘Stone Cold’ with Mariah the Scientist feels emotionally layered. What made that collaboration make sense for this record?

Me and Mariah are actually friends too, and that record came about so ironically because we were just out one night, like we always would do, hanging out real late in Atlanta. And we were like, “Let’s just go to the studio.” We were druuunk [laughs], just having fun at that moment, the vibrations were high. We went to the studio, pulled up a beat, and we were literally just bouncing ideas off each other creatively. We’re both Scorpios, so I feel like that made the intensity of it all good and made us work really, really well together.

When you’re not in artist mode, what’s your go-to comfort meal? 

Um, a comfort meal for me would probably be…I have two favourite restaurants right now. One of them is called Eddie V’s, and the other is Howe’s. I just like something like lamb chops or steak, mashed potatoes, chicken—mashed potatoes, though. Mashed potatoes are my favourite!

How would you describe your fashion right now in three words?

Cunt, Edgy and Classy. Yeah. 

What’s one piece in your wardrobe that feels like a “Dess Dior” staple, no matter the era?

A nice bag! Chanel, Hermès, anything but I think bags, or like accessories, period, really tie your outfit all together.

Now that the EP is officially out, what emotion stands out to you?

Oh I was relieved all the way, yes! I  was feeling so anxious prior to it, like the whole entire week. I was very, very anxious, and I didn’t really like that. But as soon as I released it, I had a sense of relief, and it’s even more relieving that my supporters and everybody on the internet likes it.

Photography @chadlawsonphotos