'Billions' star Condola 'Dola' Rashad's upcoming debut EP 'Space Daughter' explores the divine feminine within
Condola "Dola" Rashad draws inspiration from Stevie Wonder and Tim Burton for 'Running In Place', the third single of her upcoming solo debut EP, 'Space Daughter'. While many might recognize Dola as the four-time Tony Award nominee that stars in Showtime's hit series 'Billions', few might know that in addition to her prowess as an actress Dola is also a multifaceted storyteller and multi-hyphenate.
She trained as a classical pianist during her adolescence and was the lead singer and songwriter of an alternative band, Condola & The Stoop Kids, in New York City. Dola has had an incredibly wide range of musical influences, from Little Dragon to India Arie, Stevie Wonder to Timbaland, and to that end has never stuck to creating one genre of music, instead, choosing to craft her own unique sound just in time to make her big music debut.
'Space Daughter' is a project that has been a long time coming for the highly talented Dola, who states, "I've been working on this project for almost two years. While I'm not physically able to be in the presence of my friends and family at this time, this offering is the next closest thing to being near them. All of my love goes into my music — sharing my music is equivalent to sharing my love."
Though being released as an EP, it really is so much more. 'Space Daughter' is a visual project that Dola conceived, produced and co-directed as an ode to the Divine Feminine. 'Running In Place' follows the singles 'Blue' and 'Give Up The Gold', and with just three pieces of the puzzle, Dola has already managed to create an expansive and intriguing tale that leaves you wanting more. 'Blue', co-produced by Dola and Lord Quest and co-written by Dola and singer-songwriter Alex Saad, documents what it feels like to want to be in the presence of a loved one, but only being able to do so through a dream.
Sonically, Dola weaves a dream world that takes you someplace else, a peaceful place that she creates for us visually in the song's music video, which Dola co-directed with longtime friend Maud Arnold. Awash with blue hues, Dola gently guides us through what really feels and looks like the garden of Eden, and she looks absolutely resplendent in her floral couture.
In keeping with the ode to the Divine Feminine, the video and song are both a perfect representation of what one might imagine a goddess's presence to feel like. But Dola took it a step further, honoring the divine by ensuring all personal proceeds from 'Blue' would be donated to benefit Food Bank for New York City and their ongoing efforts towards combatting hunger amidst the Covid-19 crisis.
Follow-up single 'Give Up The Gold' saw Dola transition from a floral goddess into one who is fierce, sensual and unapologetic about what she wants. The highly energetic track also saw Dola show off her moves while also demonstrating her versatility as an artiste and director. Just like with 'Blue', all personal proceeds from 'Give Up The Gold' during May were donated, this time to benefit Hearts of Gold, an organization whose goals are to help and reimagine the future of homeless mothers and their children together, by helping them become confident and self-sufficient as they prepare to transition out of the New York City shelter system and into permanent homes.
"With 'Give Up The Gold' coming out so close to May, in honor of Mother's Day, it was my intention to connect with an organization that is in support of mothers who are in need," states Dola. "And coincidentally, the organization whose mission and goals resonated with me the most is named Hearts of Gold!" She continues, "I'm grateful to be in a position to offer my art to the global community while supporting the efforts that wonderful organizations like Hearts of Gold and Food Bank for New York City are making to support our most vulnerable citizens during this crisis."
And now, Dola has released the third single off her ambitious project, 'Running In Place'. A stunningly melodic yet also hard-hitting track featuring heavy beats and violins, this one sees Dola take on yet another avatar, and just like with the others, she embodies her role thoroughly.
'Running in Place' is a moody, lover’s lament over the end of mystery due to online dating. Taking inspiration from the likes of Stevie Wonder for the track as well as Tim Burton for both the music and the visuals, Dola has managed to create yet another powerful number that reflects Burton's style of dark, quirky expressionism while also still maintaining the thread of Divine Femininity that connects all of her work together seamlessly.
And once again, Dola ensures that philanthropy remains at the heart of the project. She will be donating 100% of her personal proceeds earned from 'Running in Place' during the months of June, July, and August to benefit VH1’s Save the Music Foundation, which helps students, schools, and communities reach their full potential via full grant packages of brand-new instruments, resources, and technology, along with monitoring, research and evaluation services to grantee schools for a 10-year period.
Speaking about her choice to support VH1's work Dola states, "As an artist, music has always been my foundation. I would not be the artist or the person I am today without having had exposure to music and music training as a child. It was my intention to connect 'Running in Place' with an organization that is in service of making music accessible for children and young people. With the mission of Save the Music focusing on helping students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music - everything aligned!"
Stream 'Running In Place' HERE. Follow Condola 'Dola' Rashad on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook or visit Dola-Music.com for more.