From the quiet corners of Groton, Connecticut, to the buzz of underground rap circles on the East Coast, Dante Raddd* is turning heads and twisting knobs—both literally and figuratively. If you’re tuned into the wave of producers reshaping the sonic blueprint of modern hip-hop, it’s time to get familiar. Raddd isn’t just next up—he’s crafting his lane, somewhere between a VHS-filtered video game score and a Pi’erre Bourne time loop.

Born in CT, Bound for NY

Dante Raddd was raised in Connecticut, where he was surrounded by sound before he ever laid hands on a beat machine. Growing up playing saxophone in church, he found his musical roots early, blending soul and structure before diving headfirst into the genre that changed everything: hip-hop. He remembers discovering the genre in 7th grade and becoming obsessed—freestyling on the back of the school bus was just the beginning.

By 2020, he was testing the waters with rapping and production. In 2021, he locked in.

With seasons like WLR V1 and the Eternal Atake helping shape his sound.

Soundtrack to a 16-Bit Dream

Ask Dante about his production style, and you’ll hear words like “nostalgic,” “synth-heavy,” and “retro-futuristic.” A huge fan of old video games, Dante draws heavy inspiration from 16-bit era titles like Sonic the Hedgehog and classic SNES soundtracks. He’s even been known to spin video game OSTs in his free time.

But make no mistake—this isn’t some lo-fi gimmick. It’s a unique blend of high-gloss trap, retro textures, and future bounce. If Pi’erre Bourne had grown up on Mario Kart 64 and Toonami, he might’ve sounded like this.

Dante Raddd Pictured Above, Colorized. 2025

He credits artists like Tyler, the Creator, Kanye West, The Neptunes (Nigo & Pharrell), and J Dilla as deeper-rooted musical inspirations, while giving full flowers to modern visionaries like Playboi Carti, Pierre Bourne and Lil Uzi Vert, for pushing boundaries and encouraging him to do the same.

  Dante Radd (Right) Amir (friend/videographer) (Left)

What’s next for Dante Raddd

2025 is already looking heavy for Dante. He’s currently working on his highly anticipated tape, Chapter 2, his 5th major project that fans have been begging for. Alongside that, he’s preparing to drop Insane 2, a producer tape meant to expand his versatility and sonic palette.

Not one to hoard his sound, Dante stays open to collabs—especially with homegrown CT talent. Recent collabs include:

“Crossbody” by StarMarsii  ft. MGuapo (prod. Dante Raddd)

“Cha Cha” by StarMarsii (prod. Dante Raddd)

"Dante's Inferno" by StarMarsii Feat. Sookwyd (prod. Dante Raddd)

Read More about MGuapo & StarMarsii on probablyrated.com

Cover Art for Cha Cha by StarMarsii

The Vision: 4retro 

Dante credits his possibly soon-to-be artist collective “4retro” under his music on streaming platforms, a name that’s grown into a movement of its own. It’s about more than music—it’s about feeding creatives, building community, and connecting producers, videographers, and artists alike.

4Retro Instagram Channel

TwoManyFours

He’s also been building a second SoundCloud presence under TwoManyFours, a name he uses to experiment with and test new sounds.

@TwoManyFours 

The Creative Code

Dante Raddd infront of UConn sign, 2024

Dante is a multi-hyphenate in the truest sense. A graduate of UConn, he holds a degree in Animation and plans to merge that with his music ambitions. “I want to make cartoons someday,” he says. “A full-on Cartoon Network show—music, visuals, story. Everything.” He also draws, animates, hoops, and skates in his downtime, so creative energy never stops flowing.

TNTN - Dante Raddd, 2024

Standout Tracks

If you’re new to Dante Raddd’s world, he recommends starting with:

• “Take Em To Church”                                                              
• “Believe That” (his most recent single)
• And, The Real World EP (released May 31, 2024)

Each track is a portal into his sound—lush synths, raw melodies, bounce-heavy drums, and undeniable charisma.

The Future is 4retro

Dante Raddd is part of a wave of CT creatives who are refusing to be boxed in, and he’s doing it while staying unapologetically himself. The beats knock, the vision is clear, and the ambition? Unmatched. With his eyes set on New York and his sound locked into the future, don’t be surprised when you see his name in bigger lights—maybe under a cartoon series title, or a Grammy nod.

Until then, keep an eye on Connecticut’s finest. The second coming of Pi’erre? Maybe. But more importantly, the first coming of Dante Raddd

Oh—and someone get him that Forest Green McLaren already. Man’s been earned it.

Follow @DanteRaddd and @probablyrated to stay tapped into the Best Connecticut Rap Forum for all the latest on rising local legends.

Pokedex - GetFreeGabos feat. Pe$ow1nnerr prod. Dante Raddd

Author, GetFreeGabos. Editor, Henry Kadlubowski