Kansas City rapper and beat maker. Soul samples, plain talk, live drums when the room allows.
Dez Holloway grew up on the east side of Kansas City and started making beats at fifteen on a hand-me-down sampler with two dead pads. He still builds every record the same way: dig for a soul or gospel sample, chop it by hand, write to it that night.
His first album, Porch Light (2023), was recorded entirely in a spare bedroom and sold through 300 cassettes at shows. The follow-up, Corner Lot (March 2026), is eleven tracks about the block he grew up on and what got built over it. He wrote, produced and mixed it himself.
Live, Dez performs two ways: a 30 to 45 minute set with DJ Okra on the decks, or a 60-minute set with a drummer, bassist and keys. Both versions are in the tech rider in the Downloads section. He has opened for touring acts in Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines and St. Louis, and runs a quarterly showcase for local producers called Beat Lot.
Second album. Written, produced and mixed by Dez Holloway. Live drums on four tracks by Terrence Vale.
Debut album. Recorded in a spare bedroom. First run of 300 cassettes sold out at shows.
Corner Lot sounds like a city block with the volume turned up. Nobody in the Midwest is chopping samples with this much patience.
He raps like he is talking to you across a kitchen table, and then the drums come in.
The live band set turned a Tuesday opener slot into the best thing on the bill.
Corner Lot release show, The Rail Yard, Kansas City (sold out, March 2026). Support slots for touring hip hop acts in Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines and St. Louis (2023 to 2026). Plaza Block Party main stage (2025). Beat Lot producer showcase, quarterly since 2024.