Dante Valentino, a rapper from Miami, and German producer Mr Dhero (Matthias Martos Fernandez) met while on vacation and quickly discovered a shared creative vision. Despite living far apart, they decided to collaborate across borders, turning distance into inspiration rather than limitation.
Together, they set out to create music that brings energy, joy, and escape—tracks designed for the dancefloor, where people can let go, have fun, and switch off their minds for a while. Their collaboration blends Miami rap influence with German production style, resulting in a fresh and international sound focused on pure vibe and movement.
What is your name and what city do you rep?
My name is Matthias, aka Mr Dhero, and I come from Berlin/Brandenburg in Germany.
Tell us about your latest releases, what inspired you to create them?
I met Dante while on vacation in Miami. We were out in Little Havana, and he was just playing music on the street with a few guys. We struck up a conversation and stayed in touch. Eventually, we thought collaborating would be interesting, despite the great distance between us. That’s how the album “Dante Valentino” came about. My wife is Cuban, and she’s always told me I should make something in the vein of Amapiano or Reggaeton, since that’s the kind of music I listen to in my personal time.
What is unique about you and your music?
“Unique” is a big word. I produce beats that I feel. Often, I get my best ideas for beats when I’m with my wife. “Break It Down Ahora,” for example, came about while we were out shopping. My wife was actually a bit annoyed because I was beatboxing the beat into my iPhone so I wouldn’t forget it. I don’t try to force the music; it comes naturally—though not always.
What shaped your music?
Definitely Timbaland and A Tribe Called Quest, and then Ryan Leslie a bit later on.
When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?
In 1996, my parents were on vacation in America and brought me back the album Mr. Smith by LL Cool J. I still have the CD today. I listened to the album over and over again and then started beatboxing to every song. Everyone was already annoyed because the little 15-year-old boy was running around with headphones on, making strange noises with his mouth. But in 1998, Tim’s bio, Life from da Bassment, came out. I wanted to do that too. But if you didn’t know anyone who did it or had any idea how, it was really hard to get involved back then. Through a few live hip-hop/beatbox performances, I met someone in 2002 who actually produced music himself. He showed me how everything worked, and then I was allowed to make beats for him every now and then. In 2003, I bought Cubase SX and two MIDI controllers and started making beats for MCs.
What type of music do you listen to?
I like anything that sounds good—not just hip-hop or R&B. I also listen to Elton John, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or Fulanito.
What inspires you to write music?
I don’t write; I just make beats. I tried writing songs back in the day, but I simply lack the talent for it.
What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?
My wife and I bought a house in 2022 and completely renovated it. My wife wanted everything done differently, so I had to learn how to do it all myself. And that turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Since then, it has become a second hobby of mine, alongside music. My motto has always been: “There’s no such thing as ‘I can’t do it’—it should be ‘I can’t do it *yet*.'” That’s why I always say: don’t be afraid to try something new.
Happiness to you is…
family and friends…
What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?
That’s hard to say. It used to be harder to make music. Even just making beats was a really expensive undertaking. Look, back in 2002, Cubase SX cost $799 and an M-Audio Oxygen 8 was $150. You couldn’t just say, “I’ll give it a try.” You had to commit to it. Today, you can buy an AKAI MPK for $99 and get MPC Beats for free. That’s why I’d recommend it to anyone interested: buy one and experiment. It’s not such a big financial loss if things don’t work out in the end.
Tell us about your upcoming projects…Where do we find you music / music projects?
Right now, I’m really into the boom-bap, chill, and lo-fi vibe; you wouldn’t believe how relaxing good instrumentals can be. That’s why I launched the YouTube channel “LMNotes” in early 2026. “Lofi Mellow Notes” is a collaboration with artists from around the world who love creating beautiful music—it’s all about clearing your head. You can find us on YouTube, YouTube Music, Spotify, Tidal, and Amazon Music. At the same time, I’m continuing with “Mr Dhero X Friends.” A new album with Dante Valentino is in the works and will also be released on these platforms.
Any last words for the readers?
Music connects people—regardless of background or language. If my beats spark something in you, then I’ve achieved my goal. Thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey. Stay creative and never lose your passion for what you love. See you next time.
