From vibrant melodies to confident choreography, a new pop R&B girl group is stepping into the spotlight in Tucson’s music scene.

DOLC3, a trio of women with diverse backgrounds in music and dance, aims to capture fans’ hearts through their music. The group brings its talents together to create a captivating experience that resonates with listeners, according to its Spotify profile.

What started as friends singing cover songs at sleepovers evolved into DOLC3 after one conversation changed the trajectory of the group.

“We were like, ‘Oh, you know what would be really funny? What if we made a group?’” said DOLC3 songwriter Jenna Vasquez.

The group’s name was something the members came up with in a Popeye’s drive-thru, Vasquez said.

DOLC3’s debut mini album, “First Step,” was released in October and features songs written by the members. The group draws inspiration from member Uju Sampson and manager Chris Akpede, whose work reflects a hands-on, do-it-yourself approach to music-making.

After the songs are written, the group works together to plan the choreography.

“It is really just a mix of whatever we feel like would suit the song,” said Keena Anlap, another DOLC3 songwriter.

Anlap is responsible for overseeing choreography and performance quality.

“I look for inspiration from urban styles and hip hop dances,” said music producer Sampson. “It depends on the song and what would make us shine the best in each part. Sometimes we have the opportunity to utilize backup dancers, which are basically our friends.”

DOLC3’s debut single, “GAS,” was released in November 2024 and gained attention from Tucson and beyond. Reception ranged from curiosity about the group to support from coworkers and friends.

“We had a lot of external eyes looking at GAS, which meant a lot to us,” Anlap said. “You’re not expecting a girl group to make this type of music.”

As the group’s popularity began to climb, DOLC3 manager Akpede had the idea last summer to hold a concert.

“I brought the idea up to Uju, and we right away began planning for one in October,” said Akpede. “Then we had a meeting and thought that we should push back the show and build an audience so we would have a better turnout.”

DOLC3’s first live performance took place at November’s Street Eats and Beats Festival in Phoenix, where the group showcased what it brings to the stage as a girl group.

“Even though it was our first time performing, it was nice for people to see what we can do,” Vasquez said. “We know how to bring a good vibe and good time, and the audience reciprocated that feeling.”

Following the positive reception of their festival performance, the group saw growing interest in what DOLC3 had to offer. Through promotion and additional performances, DOLC3 attracted more fans and hosted events to showcase its talent, Akpede said.

“We believe that through DOLC3’s music and choreography, we can show that we are more than just an average pop group. We are more than that,” Akpede said.

DOLC3’s first solo concert is set to take place Jan. 31 at Club TEN31 in Mesa, Arizona. Tickets and music information are available online.

Isabel Vidrio is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at vidrioi@arizona.edu.

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