A writer since his early days in grade school, southern New Jersey artist FirstNameDane, has always used creativity as an outlet. It was in high school that he discovered his love for creative writing: penning poetry, short stories, screenplays and a children’s book. FirstNameDane’s eagerness to pursue these creative endeavors led him to drop out of La Salle University and head to New York City for some time, but music was always his first love.

After a breakup and the end of three summer internships, the artist born Dane Elijah Dillard, returned to Philadelphia. While pondering his professional future, Dane returned to his first love.

FirstNameDane’s music carefully explores themes of anxiety, self doubt, and feeling alone; expected feelings of artists but late bloomers as well. He encourages his fans to grow with him through his journey. These sentiments are certainly reflective in his art.

He may have dropped out of college but Dane went to the school of Kanye, Travis and Kid Cudi. His production is grand; Punching 808s; Anthem-making synthesizers; and Sing-along worthy melodies. When stripped down to the lyrics, Dane is painstakingly self aware. "A First verse is like church, Easter eggs if you search," Dane raps on 2020 single, "Gas". You can hear the vulnerability even through his bravado delivery. “Driven by pain I need a joyride,” He echoes on Joyride (Side B). He offers an unfiltered peek into the mind of a man navigating the growing pains of being an artist and like his favorite basketball team, the Philadelphia 76ers, he’s trusting the process.