Independent R&B and hip-hop artist Dutch 3Times has built a unique musical universe through his ongoing Distant Lover series, a deeply personal exploration of romance, desire, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Born in the Carolinas and raised in Detroit, his music blends Southern warmth with Midwestern grit, creating a sound that feels both intimate and cinematic.

As he prepares to release the next chapter, Distant Lover 5: Under the Covers, Dutch continues to invite listeners into a world where vulnerability is strength and every song is another page in an unfolding story. We caught up with him to discuss his artistic journey, creative independence, and what fans can expect from the latest installment of the Distant Lover saga.

You were born in the Carolinas and raised in Detroit. How have those two very different cultural influences shaped your sound and perspective as an artist?

I always say I’m built from two different winds. The Carolinas gave me warmth, melody, and a sense of storytelling that feels like front-porch honesty. Detroit gave me grit, rhythm, and the hunger to turn pain into motion. My sound sits right in the middle — soulful but sharp, emotional but unafraid to hit hard.

When did you first realize you had found your own artistic voice?

When I stopped trying to “sound like” whoever else and started telling the truth exactly how it lived in me.

The Distant Lover series has become the centerpiece of your catalog. What originally inspired you to build an ongoing musical narrative rather than a collection of standalone projects?

Love isn’t a single moment — it’s a saga. I wanted to document the evolution of a heart in real time, not snapshots. Distant Lover became the place where every version of me could speak.

You’re preparing to release Distant Lover 5: Under the Covers. What can fans expect from this new chapter of the saga?

A quieter storm. This chapter is intimate, whispered, almost like you’re hearing thoughts I didn’t mean to say out loud.

What themes are at the heart of this new installment?

Confession, desire, emotional honesty, and the cost of closeness.

How has your songwriting evolved between previous releases and Under the Covers?

I’m less afraid of silence now. I let the words breathe. I let the vulnerability sit without dressing it up.

When creating a song, what usually comes first, the melody, the concept, or the lyrics?

The feeling. Once I know the emotion, everything else falls into place.

You handle much more than just the music; from visuals and branding to social media and rollout strategies. Why is maintaining creative control so important to you?

Because my art is my identity. I can’t hand that over to someone who doesn’t live inside my story.

What are the biggest challenges and rewards of being an independent artist in today’s music industry?

The challenge is doing everything yourself. The reward is owning everything you create.

In an era where artists are often pressured to chase trends, how do you stay true to your vision?

By remembering that trends fade, but truth echoes.

Why do you think themes of longing and heartbreak continue to resonate so strongly with audiences?

Because everyone has loved someone they couldn’t keep. I just say the things people feel but don’t say.

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Distant Lover 5: Under the Covers is available for pre-save now. Be sure to choose your preferred platform and pre-save the release to support Dutch 3Times and be among the first to hear the next chapter of the saga.