Born in Baltimore, Maryland, William Dabbs developed a deep passion for music at an early age. When his mother relocated the family to Atlanta, Georgia, just as he was entering high school, the move would set the stage for his lifelong connection to one of hip-hop’s most influential cities. After graduating high school, William Dabbs went on to serve in the United States Navy, where he built the discipline and focus that continue to fuel his creative journey today.

Following his military service, William Dabbs pursued his passion for sound by earning a degree in Audio Engineering from the Art Institute of Atlanta. During his studies, he landed a pivotal internship with Dangerous Music, the label directly connected to West Coast hip-hop legend Too $hort. This experience deepened his understanding of the industry and sharpened his technical production skills.

Over the years, William Dabbs became an integral part of Atlanta’s independent music scene, working with notable local talents such as Binkis Records and releasing numerous projects that showcased his versatility and ear for authentic hip-hop production. Alongside his musical pursuits, he proudly served 15 years as a firefighter in the Atlanta area, a testament to his dedication and service to his community.

After relocating to West Palm Beach, Florida, William Dabbs reconnected with longtime collaborator Los of Chicago’s iconic group Earatik Statik. The duo previously worked together on the acclaimed single, “Makin’ Moves,” and have now reunited to deliver the powerful new music available on all major streaming platforms.

Today, William Dabbs continues to fuse his East Coast roots, Southern experience, and West Coast connections into a unique sound that bridges regions and generations — a reflection of a life lived through rhythm, discipline, and creativity.

With “Glory” out now, we took some time to hear from Earatik Statik. Read below to learn more about Earatik Statik, the story behind “Glory,” and what’s to come.

Hi! Let’s start with how did Earatik Statik’s name come about?

William Dabbs: The name actually came from a play on words. The original word was “Erratic,” but we flipped it and made it “Earatik” — because everything we do starts with the ear, with sound. Then, we added “Statik,” which is another twist on the word “Static.” Together, it represents our love for sound in all its forms — raw, unpredictable, and full of energy. We’re constantly experimenting with different types of sounds in our music, so the name just fit perfectly with our creative style and what we stand for.

Los Polk: Thought of the name from the name erratic, and it came to my head to respell that as Earatik because I love sounds of all types. Statik was all around me life style at the time, so i just spelled it with “k” on the end to be different. That’s how the name came about.

What city are you both from, and where are you both based now?

William Dabbs: I’m from Baltimore, Maryland. Raised in Atlanta, GA. Now enjoying the good life in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Los Polk: I was born in Detroit and I moved to the Chicago area as a child, and I still reside here today.

At what point in your lives did you all decide to pursue a career in music? How did you all get started?

William Dabbs: I decided to pursue a career in music while I was enrolled in the audio engineering program at the Art Institute of Atlanta. My original plan was to focus solely on engineering and production, but one experience changed everything. One day, a so-called “producer” came in with an arrogant attitude, acting as if he was the most talented person in the room — but when I heard his work, it was weak and uninspired. That moment sparked something in me. I realized that not only could I do better than him, but I could probably do better than most of the people out there making music. So I gave it a try, and from that point on, things just started to click. I was successful early on, and that success fueled my passion even more. Before that day, my only goal was to be an audio engineer — but that experience made me realize that I was meant to create music, not just record it.

Los Polk: I started recording in 1989 on two inch type. We recorded our first demo with a group called Rouge Society. That turned to a cassette type called Earatik Statik – “Enter the Third Witch.” We pressed op at a copy shop called Copy Cat – made 100 copies, added art on a j-card, and pushed ourselves, and it all happened after that! It was up from there.

How has your guys’ upbringing played a role in shaping who you all are and defining your duo’s sound?

William Dabbs: When I was young, I was surrounded by the music my parents loved — the soulful sounds of the ’70s and early ’80s, the kind of songs you’d hear playing at cookouts and family gatherings. That foundation gave me a deep appreciation for soul, groove, and storytelling in music. Later, when I went to high school in the Atlanta area, I was exposed to a whole new mix of sounds from different demographics — everything from rock and punk to ’80s European artists. That exposure, especially through MTV and the diverse Atlanta music scene, really broadened my ear. All of those influences helped shape my sound into something versatile, soulful, and open-minded.

Los Polk: My upbringing played a major part in forming my sound. I’m the youngest of siblings. My parents did there best – may they both rest in peace – but sometimes food was short, and the heat and lights would go out, but we made do with what we had. To say the least there were struggling times, but there never was a shortage of love.

How would you both describe your duo’s sound to readers who may not be familiar with you all?

William Dabbs: Our sound is what we like to call ever-banging, a full-throttle, smash-mouth boom bap style of hip-hop that hits you right in the chest. We’re not out here to blend in—we’re here to make you get up out of your seat and recognize that we mean business. The beats knock, the rhymes cut deep, and the energy is undeniable. We’re internationally known and locally respected, and even if you haven’t heard of us before, you can bet one thing—you d*mn sure won’t forget us after we step off that stage.

Los Polk: You will hear my struggles in my voice and lyrical content, but it all comes from a real place! I will say this, I’m cut from a cloth that most aren’t cut from that wont be talked about in this Interview. To sum it up, you can say that I’m a success story.

Do you two have any hobbies outside of music? What do you all do to stay creative?

William Dabbs: Music is my life — I’m constantly creating, producing, or writing in some form. It’s not just what I do; it’s how I think and stay inspired. Outside of music, one of my biggest creative outlets has been professional wrestling. I spent over eight years in the industry, performing for several independent promotions throughout Georgia, including Atlanta Wrestling Entertainment and Platinum Championship Wrestling. Wrestling allowed me to express creativity in a totally different way — through storytelling, performance, and physical expression — and it actually became a side hustle that generated income. Both music and wrestling keep me sharp, disciplined, and constantly pushing creative boundaries.

Los Polk: I have a radio show personality. I go by the name of Polk chop that I plan on putting to work when my touring days are behind me. I also like to go to the gun range/hunting and fishing.

Who are some of your guys’ main musical influences?

William Dabbs: I’ve been influenced by a lot of greats over the years. The Bomb Squad definitely had a major impact on me with their layered, chaotic, yet perfectly balanced production. Then there’s DJ Premier, who’s one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to that raw, classic boom bap sound—nobody chops a sample like him. Pharrell inspired me on the creative and melodic side; his ability to mix hip-hop, funk, and pop effortlessly is genius. And of course, Kanye West his vision, innovation, and fearlessness when it comes to blending sounds and pushing boundaries really shaped the way I approach music production today.

Los Polk: My only influence has always been Rakim and Rakim only.

Who would be a dream to collaborate with?

William Dabbs: When it comes to dream music collaborations, I’ve got a few legends on my list that would make my career feel complete. I’d love to work with DJ Premier, because his beats and production are timeless — pure hip-hop essence. Redman and Method Man are two MCs I’ve always admired for their chemistry, energy, and lyricism. And of course, Snoop Dogg — one of the coolest and most iconic artists ever. Working with all of them would be a dream come true and the ultimate full-circle moment in my music journey.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your guys’ music career so far?

William Dabbs: My proudest moment in my music career is what I’m doing right now. Every step, every new release, and every connection that I make in music feels like another win. I’m focused on creating more moments to be proud of — I want the wins to keep coming until I get tired of winning, but never take a loss.

Los Polk: I would have to say touring the US and Europe would be my most proud moment.

What would you all say are the greatest lessons that you’ve all learned so far?

William Dabbs: One of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned in life is that nothing is guaranteed. People’s actions tell you more than their words ever will. Some of the people you call your best friends — even family — can turn their back on you. That’s why it’s so important to stand on your own two feet, be your own man, and make your own moves.

When it comes to the music business, I’ve learned that it’s 90% business and only 10% music. Hard work always beats talent. That’s why you see a lot of artists out there who might not be the most talented, but are still winning — because they outwork everyone else. Talent alone isn’t enough; you have to constantly grind, push, and promote yourself if you want to succeed.

Los Polk: The greatest lessons that I’ve learned is to always do and go for what pleases you first and the rest will follow. Never change who you are for anything or anyone, if they don’t dig you for you, move on.

Now onto “Glory.” What inspired this song? What is “Glory” about?

William Dabbs: What inspired the song, “Glory,” was us being able to come up with something powerful after taking a 15-year hiatus from making music together. We knew our return had to hit hard — something that would immediately remind people who we are and why we’re respected in this game. The singing sample in the track really set the tone; it gave the song a triumphant and soulful energy that matched exactly what we wanted to express.

“Glory” is all about recognizing the greatness — my greatness as a beat maker and Los’s greatness as an MC. It’s about confidence, skill, and legacy. The track celebrates our return, our chemistry, and the undeniable talent that defines what we do. It’s a reminder that even after all this time, we’re still capable of creating something truly powerful.

Los Polk: “Glory” is a my comeback off of a ten-year hiatus to show the world just what they’ve been missing! To show them that they still need dope hip-hop that is based on real life and not all fugazi nonsense. The re-emergence of the real reason, why people fell in love with Chicago hip-hop in the first place. I know if I like it, there gonna love it! To show the world that they missed me.

What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “Glory?”

William Dabbs: The microphones on the cover represent the different styles that Earatik Statik can bring to the people at any given time. Each mic symbolizes a unique voice, sound, and energy that we channel through our music. The design also pays homage to our past — it carries a visual connection to the classic Feelin’ Earatik album cover, tying our legacy to the present while showing that our creativity continues to evolve.

Los Polk: The inspiration was to connect my return single with my debut album, Feeling Earatik! In my head, the microphone entanglement signifies all the styles that I posses that could be used at any given time depending on the production / beat or collab.

What was the creative process like when making “Glory?”

William Dabbs: The creative process behind “Glory” was a real example of how modern technology keeps music collaboration alive no matter where you are. I live in Florida, and Los is in Chicago, but that didn’t stop the chemistry. I started by creating and sending him the beat. Once he got it, he went into the studio in Chicago, recorded his lyrics, and then sent everything back to me. I handled the mixing and mastering on my end. After going through several different mixes, we finally landed on the best-sounding version possible. Thanks to cutting-edge technology, we were able to make “Glory” sound like we were in the same room the entire time.

Los Polk: The creative prosses of making “Glory” was a simple explosion waiting to happen – my opportunity erupted like hot lava out the mouth of a volcano, not a matter of if, just a matter of when!

How long did it take to complete “Glory?”

William Dabbs: Honestly, it didn’t take long at all. Me and Los have a good system — we’re very efficient in what we do. When I made the beat for “Glory,” it came together fast — probably in less than ten minutes.

As soon as Los hears the beat and that pad drop, it was over. The energy was there right away. We just locked in and let it flow naturally. Once Los caught the vibe, the song came together quick. We probably had “Glory” wrapped up in under an hour. That’s what happens when you’ve got chemistry and know how to work together — everything just clicks.

Los Polk: Once my pen starts spilling, it doesn’t take long, so I would say about a hour and a half.

What is your guys’ favorite lyric in “Glory” and why?

William Dabbs: Honestly speaking, I don’t have a favorite lyric in the song. I like the whole thing. I think it’s a masterpiece that should be studied and cherished by all. Every word in that song is a masterpiece.

Los Polk: “North side till I die, Howard is where my kinfolk.”

What message or messages do you all hope fans take away from “Glory” and your group’s music in general?

William Dabbs: We hope that we gain true supporters in our musical journey — people who genuinely connect with what we do. Every time we release music, we want the hard-core hip-hop fans to be on the lookout for it and know that we’re bringing something real and authentic. We love and appreciate everyone who supports us, and we’re thankful for each and every listener. Most importantly, we thank God every day for blessing us with the talent and the ability to create music that moves people.

Los Polk: Please understand and know that what I say, I am! And, what I’m built on.

What’s next for you all? Are you all working on any upcoming projects, or do you all have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

William Dabbs: We’re currently gearing up for some upcoming shows and working on several new projects that we’re really excited about. One of the biggest things in the works right now is a collaboration with hip-hop legend Sadat X of Brand Nubian — that’s going to be something special for the culture. We’re also putting together a follow-up single that features West Coast veteran Blacksilver and Boston’s own legendary rapper Ed OG.

Los Polk: I have an EP in the works with one of my favorite artist, Ed OG, and I’m excited about it. I’m also working on a new single with my guy, Sadat X from Brand Nubian, show dates have not yet been set, but be assured that we will be coming to your town soon.

Where can we follow you all on social media?

William Dabbs: You can follow me on all major platforms — I stay connected with the people and always share what’s next in the movement. On YouTube, check out @thewilliamdabbsexperience. You can also find me on Facebook at William Dabbs and on Instagram at @thewilliamdabbs.

Los Polk: You can follow me on Instagram, @thebigstatik, and on Facebook, @EaratikStatik.

Before you both go, let’s ask a random question. What is your guys’ favorite food?

William Dabbs: I’m a simple guy with a love for good vibes and great food. Being from Maryland, I’ve always had a deep love for seafood — crabs, shrimp, fish, you name it. It’s in my DNA. I also can’t get enough of lemon pepper wings — that flavor just hits different every time. And, if you catch me on the right day, I’m probably grabbing some good Chinese food too.

Thank you for both for the great interview; wish you both much continued success!