By The Rap Scout
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Like all social groups, hip hop is full of stereotypes. Hip hop, to the world, is viewed as a bunch of ignorant young people causing trouble. But, those in hip hop know it is much more and has the potential to unite the world. Even the people in hip hop have stereotypes about the different regions and genres. The expansion of hip hop has been classified by each region, with many people associating each genre with a certain region.
The Southern hip hop scene, despite the efforts of Jay Electronica, J. Cole, and others, is still written off as nothing more than senseless, party, rap. Rappers from other regions, particularly the New York scene, have looked down on the South for years. However, with Lil Wayne taking over the rap game and Rick Ross also making moves, the South is now viewed in a more serious manner.
Da Deputy, signed to Silent B Records and the head of his own Global Respect movement, is helping to continue the trend of diverse Southern rappers. Influenced by Chamillionaire, listening to Da Deputy, he truly has a style of his own. During his interview with Hip Hop Vibe, Da Deputy discussed this and much more.
Read the entire interview below:
Where did the name ‘Da Deputy’ originate from?
Well, my real name is Chris Brown, so at first I just went by Chris B. Now, Da Deputy came from a rap I had written when I was in high school. I said something about the game show jeopardy and then I rhymed with that by saying I was Da Deputy! The song got out around school and everybody started calling me Chris B. Da Deputy. Then, later on down the road, I dropped the Chris B and just went by Da Deputy. I think that name just stands out.
How did you meet Branden Brown and become a part of the Silent B movement?
Uncle B (Branden Brown) is my homie Rayski’s uncle. Me and Rayski have been cool for a long time and we also go to the same church. B heard the music that me and Rayski were dropping, plus the first In Due Time and was like “WHO IS THAT!?,” so I sat down with Rayski and B and we just talked about our dreams and goals. We all had similiar visions. Rayski knew I was down to be apart of the movement, so one day B was like let’s make it official.
What inspires you to rap?
Just life! My City, my close family, and friends, certain situations that I have been in, or just seen, and good music. When I hear artists that came from nothing, creating these great bodies of work and being accepted by people, it makes me want to work harder and go harder for what I want. Which is Global Respect.
Unlike other Texas rappers, your style is more lyrical, is this done intentionally, so you stand out, or does it come naturally?
It’s natural now! When I was younger, I grew up on Chamillionaire. I had all the mixtapes that he had dropped. He had so many lines that just made me say “Damn!!” Dude was, and still is, one the of best lyrical rappers out of Texas. He is also the reason I rap! I wanted to be just like him, so I would write pages full of nothing but punchlines. Whenever I would freestyle with friends, I would say a couple lines and they would get so live. Then, I would go back and cross out the line that I said so I wouldn’t say it again (laughs). I was 13 when I started doing that, I’m 22 now and that lyrical passion has not left me, I don’t think it ever will.
Has your style been accepted in your area?
YES, ever since high school people always said, “yeah Dep got bars and he’s a punchline king.” People like that from me and I think they can tell that I’m not trying all hard to make you listen to me, I’m just rapping the only way I know how to.
Can you tell us about your In Due Time mixtape series?
Those words “In Due Time” mean alot to me. I believe in what we’re trying to accomplish, so those words are something I live by. So, the first In Due Time mixtape was good. I feel like I got my story across to people on that on. Songs like “Means To Me,” “All Becuz Of Love,” “Living Life Interlude,” etc.. I feel like that layed a good foundation for the series.
Now, on #2, I wanted it to have that same feeling but way more raw! I think #2 was just better all around. It’s one of those albums you can play all the way through and just get lost in. Songs like “Avenue Music,” “Dead End,” “Magnificent,” “Make It Last Forever,” “David Stern,” etc… really let people know how diverse I am as a artist.
Do you have plans of releasing a third installment?
In Due Time 3? Yeah, I think the people deserve a third one. No time soon though.
Are there any rappers you try to emulate?
No, I don’t try to be like any other rapper. I want my music to be told and rapped from my view, not someone else’s. Now, there are rappers that inspire me like Wale, J. Cole, Drake, Big Sean, Big K.R.I.T, Kendrick Lamar, and many others.
Has being signed to a Louisiana record label, while residing in Texas, helped or hurt your career?
It helped alot, it’s nothing but love down there in Louisiana. It’s kinda like I’m putting on for two states. We grind hard in both of them.
With 2011 coming to a close, what are your plans for 2012?
2011 was a good year. We did alot of shows and features, put out a solid mixtape, put out my first video, and grew more as a artist. In 2012, I plan to do all that and more. Right now, I’m working on my new project, Johnny Dep, which is sounding pretty damn good so far.
What goals do you have for the future?
In the near future I want to put out a documentary and I want to try to get more shows in places that we haven’t been to. I want that Global Respect.
