An Inspired Chat with Dontae Robertson of Tempe

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dontae Robertson. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Dontae, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Right now, I find myself placing a deep emphasis on community and the support that comes from it. My biggest goal in both life and work has always been to build a strong foundation that others can grow and build upon. It can be difficult to surround yourself with like-minded individuals, people who are comfortable enough to play their part when needed, and secure enough to acknowledge when something falls below the standard.

Over the years, I’ve slowly been building that support system for myself. I’m blessed to have an incredible group of friends and family who help me stay focused on the bigger picture without losing sight of who I am. Alongside them, I’ve developed amazing working relationships with directors, creative partners, and artists from across the country. These individuals are just as driven as I am; they not only want success for themselves, but they genuinely want it for me as well.

These are the people, both professionally and personally without whom I wouldn’t be able to do what I love. I’m deeply grateful for their presence in my life and the role they continue to play in helping me grow.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey readers! My name is Dontaé, but professionally I go by the name Rob Lucci. I’m a musician, songwriter, and director from Anchorage, Alaska. I moved to Phoenix in 2022 and have loved every minute of being here ever since, well, minus the heat in June. Anything over 75 degrees cooks me!

Since moving to Arizona, I’ve really focused on expanding both my sound and visuals to provide the best content possible. This year, I’ve placed a strong emphasis on visuals and started creating short films through my music videos. Partnering with Ryan Disher and collaborating with him on these film projects has pushed me creatively and raised the standard for what we’re willing to put out.

You can see that growth immediately in our first project, Make Up, a music video/short film that tells the story of a Bonnie and Clyde-style couple being chased down by a determined detective. This was a project that truly pushed us to our limits, and I can’t express how grateful I am for the positive response we’ve already received. It’s been my biggest release to date, and I can promise it’s only a taste of what’s to come from us for the rest of the year.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Honestly, thinking about this question has really helped me reflect on some dialogue I’ve been having with myself over the last handful of years.

When people discuss the word “ego,” it often carries a negative connotation. It’s usually tied to arrogance, brashness, or being self-serving. However, when I think about ego and its related attributes, I find that it was actually one of the biggest motivators and fuel sources behind many of my actions in my career.

It was ego that helped form my opinion of myself and my worth it was the part of me that told me I could do anything. In the same breath, it was ego that fueled my pursuit of everything I’ve done with confidence. That could be completing college with an engineering degree, starting a media company, or even pursuing my own musical career.

With all that said, ego is still something I battle with every day. It’s something I find less and less useful as time goes on. Ego used to be a source of motivation, but now, it feels like it’s holding me back.

Today, my greatest source of motivation comes from allowing myself to be happy and working to actualize the perspective that the people around me have of me and my character.

I’m an old man now, dang, I’m almost 30, and it’s time to find healthier ways to stay driven. I want to maintain a sense of self and worth that doesn’t stem from an inflated ego, but from something more grounded and meaningful.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
This might make me sound like a grumpy old man, but I really miss when media had a longer shelf life. People used to sit with albums, movies, and shows, really connected with them, because there wasn’t unlimited access to everything all the time.

Now, with everything on demand, that connection feels watered down. It’s the fast-food effect: easy to consume, easy to forget.

I miss playing an album nonstop for weeks, then buying the physical copy to make the experience feel personal. Same with movies I used to spend all of my money on Steelbooks and special editions. Now, it’s all just… streaming. Convenient, sure. But the magic feels diluted.

I guess I just feel like the easier it’s become to access content, the harder it is to truly connect with it. Okay, sorry for that rant, next question please

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie in the music industry is that there’s an expiration date on your voice or your ability to connect with an audience.

This industry expects artists to stay in the same lane forever, which is wild, especially when we’re part of a culture driven by growth and change. Sure, pop culture is youth-driven, but that doesn’t mean older artists can’t evolve with their audience and still offer something meaningful.

I get it, I’m not bumping Rakim on the way to the club. But when I want “grown man” rap with depth and perspective, he hits every time.

Music doesn’t always need to be background noise or a party starter. There’s real value in hearing from artists as they gain life experience. We shouldn’t dismiss them just because they’re not making us dance anymore..

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I had 10 years left on this earth, the first thing I’d stop doing is waiting.

I have this bad habit of constantly asking myself, “What’s next? What should I do?” But if I took all that energy I’ve spent overthinking and just did the thing—I’d be bolder, more confident, and way further along in my career.

I never want to be stuck asking, “What if?” I know it’s cliché to say I don’t want to die with regrets and could have beens, but for me, that mindset fuels the effort and heart I put into my craft.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/robluccimusic
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lortlightskin/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnPoesgKSDEM9G2K2RkbS7g
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0fWaT8LZU4xUwJh1lkt7dv

  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/rob-lucci/1570197978

Image Credits
Ryan Disher