Dame D.O.L.L.A.

Damian Lillard maintains an eight-time All-Star status on the basketball court as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, while the Oakland native also records as Dame D.O.L.L.A. and channels the thick basslines and booming 808s rooted in that city. He launched his independent music output during the mid-2010s and later worked with figures such as Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, and Ty Dolla $ign, issuing projects that include 2019’s Big D.O.L.L.A., 2021’s Different on Levels the Lord Allowed, and the reflective 2023 set Don D.O.L.L.A.

Born in Oakland, Lillard began writing rhymes in middle school and delivered his initial verse a few years afterward for his high school basketball squad. He appeared on J-Black’s “Get It How You Live” during that period. After securing the NBA’s 2013 Rookie of the Year award and establishing himself professionally, he advanced his musical efforts with singles in 2014 and 2015 before unveiling his debut album, The Letter O, in 2016. Released days ahead of his fifth Portland Trail Blazers season, the project included contributions from Bay Area artists Danny from Sobrante and Brookfield Duece along with Marsha Ambrosius, Lil Wayne, and Jamie Foxx; it entered the Billboard 200 at number 119 and reached number seven on the R&B/hip-hop chart. The follow-up, Confirmed, arrived the next year and featured another verse from Wayne as well as appearances by 2 Chainz and BJ the Chicago Kid.

In 2019 Lillard delivered his third album, Big D.O.L.L.A., which drew guest spots from Jeremih, Mozzy, Major Myjah, Derrick Milano, and Lil Wayne. He joined Snoop Dogg and Derrick Milano on the 2020 single “Kobe,” a tribute to the late NBA great Kobe Bryant. Different on Levels the Lord Allowed followed in 2021 and incorporated verses from Q-Tip, Dreebo, and Raphael Saadiq. Don D.O.L.L.A. surfaced in 2023; although most tracks included featured artists such as Wayne, Rick Ross, and Ty Dolla $ign, the release stood as Lillard’s most introspective work to date.