HoodieDon Is Running His Own Race — And He’s Building Something Made to Last
The Tacoma-born independent artist returns to Los Angeles with a renewed sense of purpose on his upcoming single “On A Race,” turning loss, faith and perseverance into fuel for the journey ahead.
For HoodieDon, the race was never simply about getting to the finish line first.
It’s about understanding why you’re running in the first place.
The Tacoma, Washington artist describes himself as an “anomalistic, lover-boy, rockstar,” a description that fits an artist who doesn’t seem interested in being boxed into one sound, image or lane. With his upcoming single “On A Race,” HoodieDon is bringing listeners deeper into that world while showing a more composed, West Coast-influenced side of his music.
But underneath the record is something much bigger than music.
It’s purpose.
From Tacoma to Los Angeles
HoodieDon initially began creating because he couldn’t find enough of the type of music he personally wanted to hear.
“I originally started making music to fill the void of the music I yearned for.”
The turning point came in May 2019. After spending a week in Los Angeles, HoodieDon realized music wasn't something he simply enjoyed doing anymore. It was something he wanted to seriously pursue.
That journey eventually brought him back to L.A., but his latest chapter came after temporarily returning home and undergoing what he describes as a deep spiritual journey.
When he returned to Los Angeles, the mission hadn’t changed.
He had.
“I came back to LA with a new hunger, new mindset, but with the SAME MISSION.”
That transformation became part of the foundation for “On A Race.”
“On A Race” Is Bigger Than a Song
At its core, “On A Race” is about chasing your dreams.
HoodieDon uses his own journey—from humble beginnings to finding himself living in environments he once only imagined as a child—to tell a story that can apply to anybody pursuing something bigger.
“I want them to hear one’s journey from humble beginnings, and how through passion, persistence, and intentionality the journey now takes place in a setting they’ve dreamed of as a child.”
More importantly, he wants listeners to recognize themselves in it.
“Hear their story, and be motivated enough to keep running their race.”
That message explains why success for HoodieDon isn't strictly attached to streams, views or numbers.
He says he'll know the song connected when he sees somebody post a Reel, TikTok, Short or Story and genuinely identify with what he's saying.
For him, that's the win.
True Independence
HoodieDon isn't using “independent” as a marketing term.
There currently isn't a massive team operating behind the scenes.
“I’m a TRUE Independent Artist. I’m the machine behind everything you see regarding ‘HoodieDon.’”
For “On A Race,” he worked with Daj Dolla's manager Famous Cray, but HoodieDon says he's otherwise operating without a formal team.
His description of the situation is simple:
“Just a dollar and a dream.”
That independence extends into his visuals, concepts, rollout and overall presentation.
And while HoodieDon isn't actively chasing a record deal, he isn't opposed to the possibility either. The deciding factor would be whether the situation allowed him to remain himself.
“If ever the contract is right, and I can maintain my artistic, human, God-fearing integrity, then I don’t see why not.”
Right now, however, the priority isn't finding a label.
It's making great art.
#ForeverDskiiWrld
To really understand HoodieDon, you also have to understand what #ForeverDskiiWrld represents.
The phrase honors Denzel Robert Lee Pressley—a close friend HoodieDon considers a brother.
According to HoodieDon, Denzel was the first person outside of Tacoma to call him “Hoodie” or “HoodieDon” and introduce him to other people by the name that would ultimately become his artistic identity.
Denzel was later tragically killed while defending someone HoodieDon says was in an abusive relationship. His death came only weeks before Denzel planned to return to Los Angeles and continue pursuing his own dreams.
That loss permanently changed HoodieDon.
“It’s a spiritual reminder that I’m still here, it’s for a reason, and it’s not to be squandered.”
And Denzel's death wasn't HoodieDon's only experience with loss.
“I’ve experienced a lot of death, and a lot of loss. That’s why my music has so much substance, because it’s real. If you’ve ever felt something real, lost something real, you can tell.”
Instead of separating those experiences from his artistry, HoodieDon considers them fundamental to it.
“If I don’t go through everything I’ve been through, you don’t get HoodieDon.”
It's why he says he loves as hard as he does. It's why integrity matters so much to him. And it's part of the reason his music carries the weight that it does.
Versatility Without Sacrificing Integrity
Asked what separates him from everybody else trying to break through, HoodieDon points toward two qualities:
Versatility and integrity.
He also believes something has disappeared from a portion of today's music landscape—a genuine love for the game.
HoodieDon wants people to hear that love in his records.
“On A Race” specifically brings more of his West Coast roots to the forefront while displaying what he calls a more composed version of himself compared with previous releases such as “Wanted.”
That evolution is important because HoodieDon isn't trying to build a career around one moment.
He's thinking much further ahead.
The Vault Is Loaded
And “On A Race” isn't where the story ends.
According to HoodieDon, the vault is loaded.
There's another currently untitled single coming. Visuals are on the way. Multiple projects are being developed, including collaborations and projects that listeners have been waiting on.
His message about what's coming next isn't subtle:
“EXPECT A TAKEOVER.”
Or, as HoodieDon says on the record:
“It’s my time.”
Building His Mjolnir
Perhaps the clearest picture of HoodieDon's ambition comes when he's asked what he hopes people will eventually say he was building during this stage of his life.
His answer goes beyond music.
“He was building his Mjolnir to break generational curses.”
He wants to create something capable of redirecting his lineage, leaving a legacy and surviving long after the current moment passes.
Something built to withstand the test of time.
Something that lasts forever.
And that's ultimately why “On A Race” works as more than the title of HoodieDon's next record.
It describes his entire mentality.
Because HoodieDon understands something anybody chasing a dream eventually has to learn:
You aren't necessarily racing the person next to you.
You're running your own.
As HoodieDon puts it:
“Everyone’s on a race of their own. It’s bigger than me. THE MARATHON CONTINUES.”
“On A Race” by HoodieDon is out now. Stay tapped in with LARapRadar and trapLA for the latest from the West Coast and beyond.
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