D.O.
When is the last time that you got excited about an MC? In this oversaturated, gimmick-ridden and overpopulated
marketplace, it's tough. First you need skills, and then you need the criteria - something to say. Most emcee's
usually stop at that - if they even make it that far. But the last component, which is often missing, is for an
artist to stand behind their words. Not just to talk, but to act. How many conscious MC's sound contradictory
when they talk about problems, but then don't act on creating solutions?
Meet D.O. He got the skills. A semi-finalist showing in the SOURCE Unsigned Hype backs that up. Detroit, Mi -
a hostile environment where fans aren't afraid to boo, or throw things at the stage. 100 MC's, 20 seconds
to spit, a panel of Source Editors, Radio Celebs, Loud Recording artists narrow the field down to 16. D.O. is
selected and moves to the semi-finals, impressing among the likes of D12 member and former Unsigned Hype Champion
Proof and Royce 5'9. But that was back in 2000.
Let's talk about 2001. D.O. comes back to Toronto after being in the Caribbean for a year. He drops the Stay
Driven EP, selling the CD out the back of the trunk and dropping freestyles wherever he can to spread the buzz.
The EP makes it to HipHopCanada's HOT PICKS, one of the few Independent Albums to do so amongst heavy Major
American Label competition. In October, the "Say Now" video drops on MuchMusic. It lands in rotation on both
MuchMusic and MuchVibe for over three months. Independently funded and without the Videofact grant that most
Canadian independents rely on, the video is a great success for D.O. and his label, 423 Entertainment.
But back to the criteria thing. D.O. is a conscious MC. He doesn't have to beat you over the head with knowledge,
he just drops jewels. The type of jams where each time you hear it you catch a metaphor you might have slept on.
And D.O. can back it up. Last year he graduated with an Honours University degree after writing his thesis on hip-hop
- "Rap as an Evolution of African-American Linguistic Practices." Now he's a teacher. "See a lot of mcees don't
study hip-hop, they just read the cliff notes," says D.O.
In a time where leaders in the hip-hop community, and the black community, are few, D.O. created the Stay Driven
program. He gives seminars at highschools, elementary schools, and community centres. Since starting Stay Driven
in mid 2001, the program has had great results, with D.O. concluding each performance with live freestyles.
Now, D.O. attempts to make history with the Guinness Book of World Records. Stay tuned to www.423entertainment.com
- the official D.O. site - to find out more information on D.O.'s attempt to bring a MC World Record to Canada.
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