From Brooklyn to the Source: Dom Cruz on Songwriting, Evolution, and ‘PAST LIVES II’ [Interview]

Brooklyn-born artist and producer Dom Cruz returns with PAST LIVES II—a raw, genre-defying project that marks a pivotal new chapter in his career. From navigating regional sounds across the country to stepping into his purpose as a father and leader, Dom brings an unfiltered authenticity to both the mic and the boards. In this exclusive conversation, he breaks down the evolution of his sound, the spontaneous energy behind the project’s standout tracks, and what it truly means to create without boundaries.

For listeners tapping into your music for the first time with PAST LIVES II, how would you describe your sound as an emcee and producer, and what does this EP represent for you right now?

Dom Cruz: My sound is pure, unfiltered emotion. Whether it’s the heaviness of my past or the joy of my present-day life, I deliver what feels honest to me in the moment. The EP represents freedom and evolution. I’m no longer bound to the expectations of anyone, not even myself. I want to be so locked in with the music that the outside world has little to no influence on me. Just me, the music, and the Source.

You were born in Brooklyn, but your journey took you through cities like Atlanta, Florida, Portland, and SoCal. How did living in all those distinct regional music environments shape your palette when you make a track?

Dom Cruz: All of these living experiences truly helped me appreciate every region and what they have to offer. It’s been enlightening getting to travel and meet so many folks throughout the years, being tapped into different music communities. I’ve been lucky enough to learn, inspire, and gain inspiration from it all. I stay true to my roots yet keep my mind open to all the possibilities due to all of this experience.

You stepped away from releasing music for six years to navigate life. Coming back to the mic and the boards now, what feels different about your focus and creative energy compared to when you first started?

Dom Cruz: I feel the most liberated I’ve ever been. There’s been many phases in my journey. This current run I’ve been on since 2023 has felt the most authentic and concise. I know exactly what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. There’s a deeper sense of purpose now as a father, a man in his 30s, and a leader.

The EP kicks off with raw, unfiltered energy on “FUCC ICE FREE FRANKIE JAX”. What made that specific statement and intensity the right way to set the mood for the rest of the project?

Dom Cruz: That’s a great question! To be honest, at first we didn’t have a project in mind, we were just recording songs, having fun, and experimenting. Blkgod has sent a ton of beats over the last two years and I’ve been recording to what feels best. Fucc Ice Free Frankie Jax was recorded over a year prior to the release and sat in the files for a minute. It wasn’t until we recorded the title track that we committed to making Past Lives II a whole project. We went through some of the other tracks, and it just felt right. The track was originally entitled Ice Water, just because that’s what Blkgod named the beat. A couple of weeks before our release date, our good friend Frankie was detained by ICE and it was only right to do something to honor him. I didn’t feel right having a song with the word ice in it unless it was fucc em!

The project closes out with “VOID // FREEDOM,” which also has a striking nocturnal music video. What was the vision behind bringing that track to life visually, and why was it the right song to wrap up the EP?

Dom Cruz: Another great question! The project as a whole is meant to feel like a trip. A trip through life, a trip in a vehicle at Mach speed, and so much more. We did our best to do a lot with a short amount of run time. VOID//FREEDOM was intentionally created to be the outro. We had the other tracks complete, and a wild climax felt necessary. So I went into the writing process with the intention of speed, chaos, and darkness in mind. Shouts to the squad killing the production, it really set the stage!

As someone who produces, writes, and directs creative vision, what do you hope listeners take away from PAST LIVES II as you continue building out this chapter of your career?

Dom Cruz: First and foremost, I hope they feel inspired and feel my passion. That’s one of the main objectives every time. Outside of that, I hope they enjoy the worlds within worlds that we build. From our previous drops like a happy hOHM and Past Lives I, it’s becoming clear that my team has all the talent in the world and we execute at a higher level every time. As long as that is respected and seen by those who resonate, I’m satisfied.

Listen to PAST LIVES II on Bandcamp HERE and support the artists directly.

Watch the video for “VOID // FREEDOM” here now: