Dino (born Dean Esposito on July 20, 1963 in Encino, California) is a freestyle/pop musician from the '80s and '90s. He and his family resided in Hawaii and Connecticut before settling in Las Vegas where his father became a restaurant owner and where Dino pursued his musical interests.
Dino earned his Bachelor's Degree in Communications\Broadcasting and Music at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Shortly after that, he accepted a job as a program director\radio DJ at his college radio station with his own morning show called "Urban Sunrise." He soon became a Top-40 DJ at Nevada radio station, Power 97.
Dino was subsequently offered a job at KCEP, Las Vegas' largest black music station where he later became the program director. He also moonlighted as a local club DJ during that time. He first became a singer in a group called Esquire and later signed with the 4th & B'way record label as a solo artist.
In 1988, Dino released his first single, "Summergirls" which peaked at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of 1988 and #40 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.
A year later, he released his debut album, "24\7" which peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200 and #47 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
The title song peaked at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #43 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in March of 1989, #31 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #12 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in April of 1989, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.
The third single from the album, "I Like It" fared better, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of 1989,
#3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in July of 1989, #9 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #25 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in July of 1989, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.
The fourth single, "Sunshine" peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November of 1989 and #47 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in October of 1989, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.
The fifth single, "In the City" was released as a promotional single. It's unknown how or if the single ever charted at all.
The last single from the album, "Never 2 Much of U" peaked at #61 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January of 1990 and #69 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in February of 1990, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.
Dino performed at theme parks with other artists such as Sweet Sensation and Linear. He developed an even wider fanbase when he became the opening act for New Kids on the Block in the summer of 1989.
In 1990, Dino released his sophomore album, "Swingin'" on Island Records, which peaked at #82 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The first single, "Romeo" peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #35 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart in October of 1990, #45 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and #69 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in September of 1990, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.
The second single from the album, a cover version of R&B singer Frederick's song, "Gentle" peaked at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #31 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in January of 1991, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.
In 1993, Dino released his third album, "The Way I Am" on EastWest Records America, which didn't make the charts at all.
The first single, "Ooh Child" peaked at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September of 1993, #4 on Billboard's Top 40 Mainstream chart, and #30 on Billboard's Rhythmic Top 40 chart.
A promo single, "Endlessly" was released, but didn't chart at all. After that, Dino began writing & producing music for artists such as Walter Beasley, Sheena Easton, Jordan Knight, Paul Taylor, Tonya Mitchell and Joanna Pacitti (whose song "Watch Me Shine" was featured on the "Legally Blonde" movie soundtrack in 2001.)
These days, Dino resides in Las Vegas and is married to original Cover Girls member, Caroline Jackson. In 2010, he collaborated with singer Elisa Fiorillo on the album, "Songs From the Fiorillo & Esposito Catalog" which is available on CD Baby.
To see a fan-made video for "Summergirls," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbw7V9TwiE
To see the music video for "24\7," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AICUUjuSKNg
To see the music video for "I Like It," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKwbSTaGsd0
To see the music video for "Sunshine," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr6-_viJH_c
To see a fan-made video for "In the City," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPlsljTt2LU
To see the music video for "Romeo," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJGAX6vqewo
To see the music video for "Gentle," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UaunJfictA
To see the music video for "Ooh Child," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq5UIwsM96w
To see a fan-made video for "Endlessly," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6d_TfcAO1w
[updated on 08\28\2018]
