Dumm Munee – Stoopid Iz, Az Dummie Does

Words + Interview By Lucky Smith

Dumm Munee is an artist and businessman from Texas. With a few projects under his belt, he tells us about his upbringing, influences, business endeavors and his latest project, “Stoopid Iz, Az Dummie Does”. 

Introduce yourself and tell us where you’re from.
The streets call me L.Teezy, Sneed and professionally Dumm Munee. I’m from the greater Houston Area (born in Galveston, TX). I’m a small town dude with a big city mind and my childhood isn’t any different from anybody else’s except the fact I had both of my parents in my life. My dad is a Texas native and my mom is a native of Trinidad and Tobago. 

I was like a ghetto Steve Urkel that was stuck permanently as the alter ego Stefan Urkelle, smart as a whip and smooth as ice but being from Texas you can’t be soft so fighting came naturally. I was good at three sports: baseball, track, and boxing. Though I have played sports since I was about five.

What got you into music and how long have you been at it?
I like all types of music but I fell in love with Hip-Hop as a kid listening to LL Cool J and NWA. I’ve been writing and recording music since I was about 16 so it has been about 21 years now total.

Do you have any projects out right now? If so, what has been the response to them?
I have a few singles out and the responses are very good. I ended up dropping an EP called, Stoopid Iz, Az Dummie Doez, which I’m promoting now. So, I guess we will see how it’s accepted.

When working on music, what do you focus on most and what do you want people to get out of it?
The one thing I try to focus on the most is authenticity so as to not get people caught up in any situations. They won’t know how to handle listening to someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about. What I want people to get out of it is the life lessons and struggles I’ve learned from. Not so much the struggle but being able to recognize it and maneuver past it with no issues.

Through all your life experiences, how much does that reflect in your music? 
A lot. I was very secretive as a child and a teenager because I knew I was doing things that were wrong. Not so much as off the wall things but I dabbled a bit in selling weed and pills and such. Females were my specialty. I’m still infatuated with women to this day but I’ve learned to control it.

You are part of the International Singer-Songwriters Association (ISSA). How did that come about? 
Back in November of 2021, I went to the L.O.U.D. Radio and Press Junket in Texas and while there networking I met this dude who was promoting his radio station. He gave me the game as far as joining ISSA.

What mark do you want to leave on the industry? 
Black excellence! I mean, I look up to people like J Prince, Master P, Trae Tha Truth, TIP, Z-Ro, the late Nipsey Hussle, just to name a few. They are all owners and philanthropists.

Outside of music, what are some of your other endeavors? 
I have another business, I’m working on a cannabis business and I do boxing training with my children and girlfriend as a family thing. My sister, her husband and daughter box as well. Also, I’m about to launch a podcast speaking on the troubles in our society today and what we can do to overcome things that are plaguing us.

If you could get in the ring with anyone for a million dollars, who would it be and why?
Exhibition wise, as long as I’m in fighting shape I think I can go with anyone in my weight range. But an actual fight, I think I would have to turn my training up a million before that.

Is there one thing you learned the hard way that you  would encourage others not to do? If so, what it would be?
Nothing can be done alone but not every smile is there to help you grow and accomplish your goals. Most smiles are really a distraction from the fact that you’re about to get messed over or cheated in someway.

Where do you see the world headed in the next 5 years?
I mean things have been jacked up for awhile now but more people are waking up which can be a good thing or a bad one. It all depends on how quickly people understand that regardless of whatever, we all have to live in this world so the mistakes or should I say the bad energy that you put out today only comes back with a harder punch five years from now. Especially if you wronged a good person. You can’t finesse good people and expect good to come of it.

Anything you want to say that we didn’t cover?
Just to tell kids never be afraid to be who you are. If you don’t fit in, it is because you were made different and to shine differently. I wish I could have learned that sooner because my dreams almost passed me by.

Follow Dumm Munee on Instagram @dolladummie, Twitter @dummmunee and on Facebook: dummmunee.

Photo of Dumm Munee by Daniel T. Davis