Clutch Players University @clutchsociety @nikolejaye caught up with Don't Sleep artist Dephelow to discuss his upcoming album, his opinion on the state of Hip-Hop, and much more.
(CP) When did you fall in love with Hip-Hop? Why did you choose Hip-Hop as your platform?
“ I
got introduced to Ice Cube, Too Short,
Tela, and the whole Bay Area and West
Coast sound from my OG uncle who is from San Francisco around 92'.
Also, I use to fall asleep listening to AZ in 95'. But, my first
Hip-Hop CD I've purchased was the Wu
Tang 'Enter the 36 Chambers'. By that
point I would say I was in love, but I didn't understand how deep.
The diversity of my exposure to funk and jazz before rap embedded the
essence of it in me before I ever realized it.”
"I
think Hip- Hop chose me”
(CP) From
your perspective is there a difference in Hip-Hop within the
Underground and Mainstream Hip-Hop? If so could you briefly describe
the differences and the similarities?
(CP) Could
you briefly tell our Clutch Players University the city you’re
from? And, how did that city shape your mentality and rhymes?
“ I'm
from Hampton, Virginia. The 757.
I'm from the same neighborhood as Allen
Iverson. I mention him because he
embodies the competitive spirit of the place I was raised. You have
to be better than good. You have to be great. The dog that was in him
is in me. It's rooted in the mentality here. The
757 produces the best that there is.
Period. But around here your people will still shit on you. It makes
it hard to make it out, but even more competitive.”
(CP) Here at
Clutch Players University we value consistency. What do you want to
contribute to the culture of Hip-Hop musically and socially?
“ I
highly value consistency. Not just musically, but as a person. If
you can create in the moments of highs and lows of life you can touch
everyone. You can be honest, and those
moments become timeless because everyone at some point will share
that experience and connect with you. That's what I strive for
musically, but I still enjoy rhyming about rhyming. Slick lines and
timing. Double entendres. All of the things that made me rewind songs
to learn my favorite emcees verses.”
“Socially,
I want to help reshape the way we treat each other to bottom line
it.”
(CP) Could you
briefly describe to our Clutch readers. Who is Dephlow?
“ Dephlow
is a writer,
director, artist, student, calculated, and humble.
I listen more than I talk. But I do so much more than emcee that I
won't go ignored. I was born on the same day, from the same hood,
with the same drive and heart as the aforementioned Allen Iverson.
Dephlow is to
the game what Allen Iverson was to the NBA."
“I
do shit my way”
(CP) What can
the people expect next from Dephlow?
“ I'm working on an album with an
incredible producer named Phoniks. It will be my first official solo
effort so I'm putting it together very carefully. I will probably be
on a few features on albums and mixtapes between now and the release
of that project.”
“But
right now I'm focused on recording those highs and lows of life in
ways that I can also create compelling visuals for.”
(CP)
What artist's does Dephlow listen to?
“ I
listen to Big K.R.I.T,
Wu-Tang,
Nas,
Royce da 5'9,
Eminem,
Anti Lilly,
Envy Hunter,
Awon,
Lupe Fiasco,
Tiff The Gift,
Nipsey Hustle,
Cyhi The Prynce,
Phonte,
Elzhi,
Dom Kennedy,
TDE,
Outkast,
Joey Bad A$$,
Chance the Rapper,
LOX,
AZ,
Heltah Skeltah,
Redman,
The Roots,
Beanie Sigel,
Skyzoo,
Torae.
All on the shuffle. No particular order.”
(CP) In your opinion which emcees could have a successful run
as an athlete? Which, athletes could have a successful run as an
emcee?
“ I
couldn't name one either way. Everybody needs to stay in their own
lanes in my opinion. Y'all heard that Lance Stephenson "Hot
Ni**a" freestyle right?”
(CP) In your
opinion do you think the Hip-Hop culture is organically evolving? Is
there a difference between Rap and Hip-Hop today?
“ This
thing we call Hip-Hop that is reclassified as rap depending on who
you are talking to is doing something, but I can't say exactly what
it is. Evolving,
changing, assimilating, regressing, whatever way you see it, it is
everywhere. The language, the styles
of clothes (however unfortunate), and the central themes all
translate beyond borders. It will eventually become a punchline to a
joke if we keep giving certain people a mic and a pass.”
“The
difference between Rap and Hip-Hop in my mind is the difference
between a trend and a tradition.”
(CP) Could
you provide some words of encouragement for the Clutch Players
University, dreamers, or visionaries?
“ I
encourage Clutch Players University to keep doing what you're doing,
as cliché’ as that probably is. Since we linked I can only
naturally believe in your cause, or I wouldn't believe in my
purpose.”
“Only
do shit you believe in, and keep the faith in the power of
communication.”
