Rapper’s Dolphins-themed songs grabbing attention
OAKLAND PARK — Have you ever been scrolling through Facebook or Instagram and come across a music video where some guy is rapping about the Miami Dolphins?
Dolphins fans may have heard the songs playing from the Hard Rock Stadium speakers or seen him performing before the games on the stage outside the stadium — like he’ll be doing Sunday at 11:55 a.m. before Miami’s matchup with the New York Jets — but they may not know who he is.
He goes by the name of SoLo D and he has made more than 130 songs related to the Dolphins.
It all started in the 2010 season. SoLo D, whose real name is Delonte Copeland, 29, had been rapping for four years at that point and the Dolphins started the season 2-0 with wins over the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings with the Jets, the Dolphins’ bitter rival, up next. He released a song called “Beat the Jets.”
“It was horrible, actually. I can’t even listen to it now,” he said. “I don’t know how people liked it.”
Following the Jets was another division rival, the New England Patriots. So he made another song.
The Dolphins lost both games but fans were enjoying the songs and when someone commented on the Patriots video on YouTube, asking if his Dolphins-themed songs were going to be a weekly thing, he figured he could do it. And he hasn’t missed a week since.
He branched his rap career into two separate entities, placing his Dolphins-themed songs and occasional ones on the Heat and Hurricanes under his Miami Sports Music brand and posting them on his YouTube, Facebook and Instagram
accounts, and on his website, so he could separate his music that’s suitable for all audiences from his other songs.
And along with Dolphins fans, some players have taken notice too.
“People want to hear the real stuff, the truth, and he brings it to his tracks,” said Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who appeared in the video of SoLo D’s song “Juice Up,” which is not under the Miami Sports Music brand. “People automatically are going to feel it.”
In addition to Landry, defensive back Walt Aikens jumped on the track, “Hit Squad,” which was a theme song for the defense last year. Aikens originally was supposed to just talk on the intro, but upon hearing the beat, he started rapping and it made the song.
“They played it at the stadium a few times,” Aikens said. “It was cool to hear my voice on there.”
On top of active players, SoLo D says former Dolphins greats such as Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain have complimented him on his work. He was in awe when he met Dolphins Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino for the second time at a fan event and Marino remembered who he was and what he does. Marino even appeared in the intro for SoLo D’s “Fintown Anthem” video attesting, “SoLo D, Miami Sports Music. He’s awesome.”
As close as SoLo D, who is an independent artist, has become with some fans and even players, he is not affiliated with the Dolphins nor does he make any money off his pregame performances during home games. Brendan Nieto, who is now with the San Diego Padres, originally reached out to him about playing his music during Dolphins games in 2010.
A real estate agent when not rapping, SoLo D says he does his sports-themed songs strictly for the enjoyment of the fans. He pays for his season tickets like every other fan and takes on his own travel expenses when hitting the road to watch the Dolphins.
He has made some money selling his trademarked “D.W.A.” (DolFans With Attitude) shirts that he started in 2015, but he often donates portions of the sales to various charitable causes like hurricane relief or assisting former Dolphins linebacker Koa Misi with donations for recovery efforts after the California wildfires.
His Dolphins-themed songs are mostly done with a positive outlook leading into each week’s upcoming game, but SoLo can be critical of the team too.
“I’m speaking realistically. If we slip, I’m speaking on us slipping. I’m not just in denial, blindly saying we’re going to beat everybody,” he says. “I’m coming at it from a ‘no matter if we’re down, we get back up’ standpoint.”
That perspective and consistency, even through the 2011 season’s 0-7 start, has led to fans connecting with him. Many take time out of their pregame tailgate to catch him when he performs on stage outside the stadium. Or they’ll find him at his tailgate and show support if they recognize one of his songs playing.
SoLo D has also made occasional songs on the Heat and Hurricanes, and will look to expand on that.
“’Canes, eventually I want to get to where I make one for every game,” he says. “I’m a die-hard ’Canes fan. Don’t get that twisted. It’s just Dolphins took off more.”
SoLo D’s goal is to make it big in hip-hop and similar to how he roots for his beloved Dolphins to play well, players who have gotten to know him hope that their on-field success can help his career too.
“Hopefully soon he’ll have a Super Bowl anthem,” Landry said.