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D.Black Interview: SXSW 2010

Seattle-based hip-hop artist, MC and producer, D.Black is no stranger to the music scene. Raised in a hip-hop household of musical parents and a record label owner by the age of eighteen, D.Black leads a busy life balancing school, football practice, studio practice and performing. D.Black will be making his SXSW debut at this year's festival.

Describe your sound in your own words.

 Soul meets slap...black coffee, no creamer!

How did you begin playing music?

 I can't really put a date on it. Music has been in my life before my life itself began. My first actual record was recorded when I was 13. That was the beginning of my professional recording career.


What are your musical influences?

I find this as the toughest question on many levels. As an artist, things are always changing. Even more so creatively, I'm always evolving into a renewed being. Right now all I'm listening to is Yemenite Jewish Cantors and Sephardi Cantors with steel drums and flutes. I don't listen to many artists inside the states, maybe a little Matisyahu and of course the Jake One instrumentals.

How did you come up with your band name?

 The first person I really remember calling me D.Black is my boy Keenan "Bean" Hart. It later on became my name, it replaced Damian by 7th grade in the mouth of most people I know.

What was it like growing up in a "hip-hop household?"
My house didn't become hip-hop until the Pharmacy [Studio] moved into my basement. It was a wonderful experience to have Seattle hip-hop guru Vitamin D around whenever I needed advice or an extra ear. It was also cool to get feedback from the pros: Jake One, Abstract Rude, Boom Bap Project, Gift of Gab, Super Nat and the list goes on.

What's your biggest vice?
I'm working on my time management and focus. I'm too quick to over-commit myself and create stress.

What's in your festival survival kit?
A bottle of Mogen David and some Challah Bread.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

 Honestly, I don't really have one right now. I listen to more folk music, Roman & Alaina and Yaakov Reuven. I've been hiding from hip-hop for a bit. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.



Allison Roy is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.

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big rich

D BLACK is the dopest rapper in tha town! he hasnt even showed u everything yet im telling yall this dude is real special!!! for yall tht dont know D Black can sing just as good as he can rap. we need d black to sing on his next alblum!

March 14 2010 at 7:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply