Dyme-A-Duzin – “Real Hip-Hop Is A Dyme-A-Duzin”
With New York making some noise again In the Hip-Hop Community with Upcoming artists Like: Troy Ave, Joey Bada$$, & Smoke DZA, Brooklyn Native Dyme-A-Duzin has his hand in this rebirth of Hip-Hop in New York and nationally overall. VMG Had the Opportunity to Sit down and talk to “Hip Hope” about the dope visual colab with Joey Bada$$ and the late Capital Steez from “Pro Era”. his most recent project “A Portrait of Donnovan”, and the rumors of him being signed to “G-Unit”. Let’s see if Dyme is one of those rappers that comes a Dyme-A-Duzin.
1. So the name “Dyme A Duzin”, how did you come up with that name, and is there any
meaning behind it?
The name DymeADuzin was inspired by the saying “Rappers come a dime a dozen”
I wanted my stage name to be ironic, with Dime A Dozen meaning low in value and easily accessible. I
wanted to totally flip the concept from the way its spelled, with the way my natural ability to stand out musically & visuably and my drive to be the best that I can be. I gave Dime A Dozen a new meaning.
2. Being from Brooklyn, which is the home of hiphop’s legendary artists like Jay Z, Notorious
BIG, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Big Daddy Kane, Busta Rhymes, to name a few. What is the state of hiphop
in Brooklyn & New York?
There is alot of new energy, but I fell like we all have to show and prove right about now.
3. What inspired you to become a hiphop artist?
Going to church in the early 2000’s I met a gospel rapper name Q The Prophet that introduced me to hip hop. He was my mentor and it all started there.
4. Have you incorporated other genres such as pop or rock in your music for example? Yes I have in many of my songs, I’ve experiment with both.
5. What separates you from other artists? What is it that you know about yourself as an artist
that makes you different?
The fans would have to decide that. I’m just doing me.
6. How did the rumor come up about you being signed to “G-Unit” and the details on the rumor?
My producer Preedom World has done production for G-Unit, I took a picture in front of his place
and wrote that I got signed on an instagram caption as a joke people took me seriously.
7. Who are some of your influences?
Eminem,Jay Z, Busta Rhymes, Amy Winehouse.
8. What’s the deal with you and “Puma” Footwear? I heard you are the East Coast ambassador
for Puma?
Yes, I signed to Puma in April 2013. It’s be a pleasure working with the so far.
9. You were a part of a group called “Phony Ppl” which I been a fan for quite some time, could
you give us a little info on how the group came together, and your status with them?
We all were just kids doing music in school. I needed a back up band for my first project. So we started practicing to perform my songs, then we started to create collaborations together and formulated a band.
10. What are some of your current accomplishments? What are you hoping to achieve outside of your music? What else do you hope transpires from your music?
I had the opportunity to tour with the Roots & Erykah Badu, I toured Europe before I turned 2, I got discovered through the internet and landed a recording contract at 19 . I look to continue my journey and keep spreading the music and vibes.
11. Being signed to Warner Bros at the age of 19 must have been surreal for you. How did the
Warner Bros. deal come about?
A producer named Plain Pat found out about me through my music video’s on the internet. We got together and began to work. One day Director of A&R over at Warner came through to one of our studio sessions while myself and Pat were finishing up our first mixtape together, after Dante heard me he offered me a deal a few days later.
12. When you think of “Vintage Media Group”, what comes to mind?
When I hear Vintage Media Group the first thing that comes to mind is classic hip hop.
13. The Visual “Swank Sinatra” Featuring Joey Bada$$, CJ Fly, Capital Steez (RIP) Is Straight
DOPE. How did that song and visual come about?
Thanks… me and those guys all went to the same school. We wanted to do a reuniting video since we had all left prior to having a chance to do a collaboration.
14. Outside of the music, are you involved or working on anything?
My main focus at this time is my album.
15. With artists like Troy Ave, Joey Bada$$, Etc… Who is in consistent talks about “Saving HipHop
in New York” Do you feel you are a part of this group of artists? And why?
Yes, I do. I’ll just let the people listen to my music and decide.
16. When I listened to “A Portrait of Donnovan” I was excited and overjoyed with the project. It really brings that classic “New York” feel to the light again, I have it on my “Favorite” playlist on my iPOD. What steps were taken to create this project?
A Portrait of Donnovan took a year and a half to make. Alot of heart break and soul searching was going on during this time. It was a description of me at that time.
17. What does the word “Vintage” means to you?
Classic
18. What can we expect from “Dyme A Duzin” this year? Or in other words, coming up soon?
I am scheduled to release a new project in March 2014 and a 13 city tour in promotion of my project. Keep on the look out for new music and live performances in a city near you.
19. Where can your fans & supporters find you online? Via Twitter, Facebook, etc.?
Dyme’s Website: http://www.iamdyme.com/
Dyme’s Twitter:https://twitter.com/DymeADuZin
Dyme’s Facebook:https://facebook.com/DymeADuZin
20. Any Last Remarks?
Look out for my new mixtape Hip Hope, check out my new single “White Girl” follow me on twitter and check out my website.