There’s something unmistakably powerful about watching artists at the height of their creative force. It’s not just about the songs or the poetry; it’s about the way everything they touch becomes an extension of their essence. And for Denver-based artists DNA Picasso and Dominique Christina, their new album LAWLESS: A Love Story is the truest manifestation of this power. It’s not simply a collection of tracks; it’s the culmination of their love, their stories, their process, and their refusal to be anything but authentically themselves. “The time for this project is now, and it’s the realest extension of who we are as people that I’ve ever put out. We’re giving you us,” DNA Picasso says.
As Christina put it, “The most daring thing you can do is to love authentically and to live authentically,” That’s the feeling that radiates from LAWLESS. It’s as if every note, every verse, every melody is a bold declaration of who she and DNA Picasso have become—both as artists and as partners. The album, set to release on October 25, isn’t just about music. It’s poetry, it’s storytelling, it’s a love letter that the two have written together.
But it’s not just any love story. LAWLESS is a process—one that reflects the way they create and the way they love each other. The couple encounters the rules, expectations, and limitations that artists often face, but they are not bound by them. They have matured to understand that there isn’t just one ‘right way’ to make music, just as they’ve rejected the idea that there’s only one ‘right way’ to love.
“We couldn’t follow in anyone’s footsteps,” DNA Picasso explains. “Many creative couples keep their art separate, but for us, that wasn’t an option. Our love is our art.”
Breaking the Rules Together
From the beginning, Picasso and Christina were artists who didn’t play by anyone else’s rules. Christina, an award-winning poet, author, and actor, has spent years using her work to challenge societal norms, explore the deepest layers of identity, and call attention to the ongoing civil rights struggle. Picasso, a hip-hop artist whose discography includes acclaimed albums like Midsummer and The Color Blü, has made a name for himself by being creative and resourceful to build bridges in the Denver music scene that just weren’t there before. Together, they have created a cohesive piece of art that speaks the language of both love and art.
At its heart, LAWLESS is rooted in R&B, but the project is far from a traditional love album. Funk, soul, rap, and even hints of rock are woven throughout, all held together by a shared creative language. DNA Picasso’s and Dominique Christina’s hard-fought understanding of one another allowed them to seamlessly blend their strengths into something that feels entirely new. “Very few people have heard the album so far, but those who have tell me that this one is really different,” DNA says.
The music itself is highly musical, marked by intricate instrumentals from producers like Mic Coats, Soul Pesci, Son Don, and Rodney Valdez. Tracks like “Origami,” one of the lead singles, showcase this interdisciplinarity, melding soulful melodies with Picasso’s autobiographical bars and Christina’s Badu-esque vocals. The pair collaborated on each of the 15 tracks as a unit, allowing their connection to drive the process forward.
As Dominique reflects, “This album was made from a place of joy. Love was the point of all the art I’ve made, but this love, this project, it’s on another level. I didn’t know I would get to love someone like this.”
The Lawless Process: Unrestrained Creation
If there’s one thing Picasso and Christina make clear, it’s that their process for creating LAWLESS is as unconventional as the album itself. There were no fixed roles, no strict timelines, and no limitations on what the songs could be. Instead, the pair allowed each track to unfold naturally, following their instincts and their emotions.
This fluidity gave rise to moments of creative rush—times when entire songs seemed to materialize almost out of thin air, as if their connection made the creation process effortless. It’s a testament to how well they understand each other, both musically and emotionally.
“Everything we do is intertwined,” DNA Picasso expresses. The album explores this from both a person’s perspective and a partner’s perspective.
This unrestrained approach is part of what makes LAWLESS so special. There’s a boldness in the way Picasso and Christina show up for one another, both in life and in their craft. There is also boldness in proudly representing everything that makes you who you are—family, pain, aspirations—in all that you do. This is where DNA and Dominique felt this collaboration strengthened their bond, rather than just showcasing it.
Love as Radical Art
The theme of love isn’t just woven into the lyrics of LAWLESS—it’s embedded in every aspect of the album. For Picasso and Christina, love isn’t a passive experience, nor is it reserved only for romantic partners. Instead, it’s a radical act, one that extends to their community, their families, and their creative process. As they put it, love is urgent, and it’s worth celebrating.
“We want people to hear this project and know they’re deserving of love,” Picasso says. “Love is real, it’s not corny, and it’s something worth fighting for. That’s what this album is about.”
More than that, LAWLESS serves as a reminder that love—like creativity—doesn’t need to be confined. Love is the culmination of the choices we make and the rules we choose to break. To live lawlessly is to love the world so deeply, even painfully, that you’re willing to push its boundaries and live freely.
Listen to LAWLESS: A Love Story wherever you get your music, and catch the live experience 11/22 in Greeley (Moxi Theater) and 11/29 in Denver (The Black Buzzard)!
