Addicted to Dareo.
UK Artist Dareo Teams with Connie Hope to Launch Pop Banger 'Addicted'
In advance of his new album "Freakquency" UK artist Dareo Knott has released new pop track 'Addicted' written with fellow artist Connie Hope. The song is a direct reply to relationship issues that leave you stuck in a cycle of mistreatment. Dareo has stated that the anticipated forthcoming album promises to deliver an exciting blend of ‘old school’ 1990s and 2000s pop culture sound. To find out more we chatted with Dareo to talk about the new single and his collaboration with Connie.
Dareo, what is addicted about for you and how does it as a song sit within the rest of the upcoming album?
Addiction is mainly about being in a bad environment that causes you pain or despair but what’s so honest about the song is it’s admitting you ‘kinda like it’ and you’re gonna let yourself be hurt. I guess that’s why I called it “addicted” because that’s what one is, something that’s bad for you, yet you continue to use it, you become dependent on it. I like to think that the story ends with the person addicted getting help or getting out of that bad environment, but I left that open.
I would say Addicted is at the heart of the album, it ties all 90s themes and the culture together. I think the way the song is written also, provided a flow that I used when writing other songs as well.
The addicted cover art work has a distinct gloss affect and artificial look to it. What is the significance of that imagery? What are you saying with it?
I worked with an incredible artist Stacie Ant @whosthereplease on this project and for the entirety of my album. Her work speaks to me on a deep level. I think I chose this look and aesthetic because I have dealt with a lot of ‘plastic people’ meaning a lot of fake relationships, fake friends and even fake family members. I think more so however I took on the plastic doll look as an escape, not only for me but for the fans. Music should be an escape from whatever reality you have to face.
The artwork resembles the iconic double denim moment Britney and Justin served & blessed us with in the 90s! It’s a bit of fun and a homage to pop diva’s, cause to be that’s really “gay” and I knew a huge part of finding my sexuality and my place in our community was music and powerful strong female divas had a huge impact on that. In addition I would say the art is supposed to educate and remind people of our history of pop culture ~ I feel it’s very important to not lose or forget what shaped our fashion and music today.
I like to think the message I'm sending across is a contrast between the song's morals and the ‘high life’. The cover art is a disguise because it depicts fame, riches and popularity but in the song depicts something quite opposite. That’s why I chose Britney & Justin because of the way they’re relationship was.
Dareo, what is addicted about for you and how does it as a song sit within the rest of the upcoming album?
Addiction is mainly about being in a bad environment that causes you pain or despair but what’s so honest about the song is it’s admitting you ‘kinda like it’ and you’re gonna let yourself be hurt. I guess that’s why I called it “addicted” because that’s what one is, something that’s bad for you, yet you continue to use it, you become dependent on it. I like to think that the story ends with the person addicted getting help or getting out of that bad environment, but I left that open.
I would say Addicted is at the heart of the album, it ties all 90s themes and the culture together. I think the way the song is written also, provided a flow that I used when writing other songs as well.
The addicted cover art work has a distinct gloss affect and artificial look to it. What is the significance of that imagery? What are you saying with it?
I worked with an incredible artist Stacie Ant @whosthereplease on this project and for the entirety of my album. Her work speaks to me on a deep level. I think I chose this look and aesthetic because I have dealt with a lot of ‘plastic people’ meaning a lot of fake relationships, fake friends and even fake family members. I think more so however I took on the plastic doll look as an escape, not only for me but for the fans. Music should be an escape from whatever reality you have to face.
The artwork resembles the iconic double denim moment Britney and Justin served & blessed us with in the 90s! It’s a bit of fun and a homage to pop diva’s, cause to be that’s really “gay” and I knew a huge part of finding my sexuality and my place in our community was music and powerful strong female divas had a huge impact on that. In addition I would say the art is supposed to educate and remind people of our history of pop culture ~ I feel it’s very important to not lose or forget what shaped our fashion and music today.
I like to think the message I'm sending across is a contrast between the song's morals and the ‘high life’. The cover art is a disguise because it depicts fame, riches and popularity but in the song depicts something quite opposite. That’s why I chose Britney & Justin because of the way they’re relationship was.
'Addicted' was originally a solo track. How did Connie Hope get involved?
When I finished writing the song, I felt like something was missing and I thought it needed a woman’s perspective and there was no one else in my mind I wanted for this track other than Connie Hope. We were working on another song for the album but things didn’t work out with that one, so when this song came out the works it was like a miracle that me and her got a second chance to collaborate.
Safe sex and other issues within the LGBTQ+ community are a focus for you. How do you plan to integrate those issues you’re passionate about into your music?
In all honesty I felt compelled, almost possessed, to write this album because I was overcome with such LGBTQ+ culture and history and had such a large experience of it all for the last year that they’re was nothing else to write about. What I'm trying to say with this era if you may is being honest about the issues we have in our own community and how we have to do better for future generations. But in contrast it’s still a celebration of who we are, how far we come and taking ownership of what you are. With every song in this era I want people to find something both good and bad about themselves just like I did writing and producing these tracks.
When I finished writing the song, I felt like something was missing and I thought it needed a woman’s perspective and there was no one else in my mind I wanted for this track other than Connie Hope. We were working on another song for the album but things didn’t work out with that one, so when this song came out the works it was like a miracle that me and her got a second chance to collaborate.
Safe sex and other issues within the LGBTQ+ community are a focus for you. How do you plan to integrate those issues you’re passionate about into your music?
In all honesty I felt compelled, almost possessed, to write this album because I was overcome with such LGBTQ+ culture and history and had such a large experience of it all for the last year that they’re was nothing else to write about. What I'm trying to say with this era if you may is being honest about the issues we have in our own community and how we have to do better for future generations. But in contrast it’s still a celebration of who we are, how far we come and taking ownership of what you are. With every song in this era I want people to find something both good and bad about themselves just like I did writing and producing these tracks.
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