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Dee-1 ft. Mannie Fresh- The One Who Got Away
In an industry full of followers, it's rare that you see an artist come out and take a firm stance against mainstream music. It's one thing to be different, but it's some else entirely to be extremely talented and own a lane all to yourself. So, in 2010 when I saw a video by a young up-and-coming rapper from Louisiana entitled "Jay, 50 and Weezy", I was so intrigued that I almost immediately posted the video to THEURBANADVOCATE.COM. Within a few months, someone they told me they saw the video on MTV Jams and it was all over the internet. Within the next year, I'm being introduced to him at the Texas Summer Music Conference in Dallas, TX, and I find out the dude is as authentic as he appears to be in his music. I had seen and heard all I needed to know that I needed to do a full-length feature on Dee-1. So, if you're not familiar with the name, you've never seen the face or you've never heard the music, allow me to introduce you to Dee-1.
Dee-1 a.k.a. David Augustine Jr., was born and raised in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana. Dee-1 began rapping while attending Louisiana State University, where he graduated and received his bachelor's degree in 2007. Shortly after his graduation, Dee-1 became a middle school teacher in Baton Rouge. After developing a bond with his students, he was determined to make a positive impact outside of the school's walls. As of 2009, Dee-1 had released three mixtapes, It's Only Tha Beginning, Still We Rise, and I Am Who I Am. Before the 2009-2010 school year, Dee-1 resigned from his position as a teacher so he could focus on his career as a rapper. And the rest as they say, is history.
Dee-1 has made quite a name for himself in a short period of time. The list of artists he has performed with reads like a who's who today's Rap and R&B, including Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Lupe Fiasco and Akon. By the end of 2010, Dee-1 had been named Artist of the Year at the NOLA Underground Hip-Hop Awards and the video for "Jay, 50 & Weezy" was all over MTV Jams. He has been received positive reviews for his music in top publications such as XXL and Billboard Magazine and has even been seen on CNN. There seemed to be no end to Dee-1's hustle. As of 2011, Dee-1 had released his at least 6 mixtapes including his latest, I Hope They Hear Me Vol. 2, which features "It's My Turn" and his latest single, "The One That Got Away". The latter was produced by former Cash Money hit-maker Mannie Fresh, who Dee-1 met at an Autozone back in 2006. Though, that chance meeting didn't exactly manifest itself into anything until Dee-1 was able to prove his dedication and convince Mannie Fresh to give him the track that was initially meant for Louisiana rap veteran, Mystikal. That track eventually became "The One Who Got Away"; the video is slated to be released this summer.
Dee-1 is on a mission to bring a positive change to hip-hop, and after receiving co-signs from some of the most notable media outlets and going on tour with Killer Mike, Young Dro and Pac Div, Dee-1 is well on his way to providing a much needed changing of the guard. And, I for one, deem it to be necessary to salute this one man army marching to the beat of his own drum.
Dee-1 a.k.a. David Augustine Jr., was born and raised in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana. Dee-1 began rapping while attending Louisiana State University, where he graduated and received his bachelor's degree in 2007. Shortly after his graduation, Dee-1 became a middle school teacher in Baton Rouge. After developing a bond with his students, he was determined to make a positive impact outside of the school's walls. As of 2009, Dee-1 had released three mixtapes, It's Only Tha Beginning, Still We Rise, and I Am Who I Am. Before the 2009-2010 school year, Dee-1 resigned from his position as a teacher so he could focus on his career as a rapper. And the rest as they say, is history.
Dee-1 has made quite a name for himself in a short period of time. The list of artists he has performed with reads like a who's who today's Rap and R&B, including Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Lupe Fiasco and Akon. By the end of 2010, Dee-1 had been named Artist of the Year at the NOLA Underground Hip-Hop Awards and the video for "Jay, 50 & Weezy" was all over MTV Jams. He has been received positive reviews for his music in top publications such as XXL and Billboard Magazine and has even been seen on CNN. There seemed to be no end to Dee-1's hustle. As of 2011, Dee-1 had released his at least 6 mixtapes including his latest, I Hope They Hear Me Vol. 2, which features "It's My Turn" and his latest single, "The One That Got Away". The latter was produced by former Cash Money hit-maker Mannie Fresh, who Dee-1 met at an Autozone back in 2006. Though, that chance meeting didn't exactly manifest itself into anything until Dee-1 was able to prove his dedication and convince Mannie Fresh to give him the track that was initially meant for Louisiana rap veteran, Mystikal. That track eventually became "The One Who Got Away"; the video is slated to be released this summer.
Dee-1 is on a mission to bring a positive change to hip-hop, and after receiving co-signs from some of the most notable media outlets and going on tour with Killer Mike, Young Dro and Pac Div, Dee-1 is well on his way to providing a much needed changing of the guard. And, I for one, deem it to be necessary to salute this one man army marching to the beat of his own drum.
Photos of Dee-1
