Dazzie Dee: Still Gee’d Up
Let’s hop right into this latest single, “30 Years Later,” featuring J-Dee [Da Lench Mob] — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?
It was actually J-Dee’s idea… throughout the years people kept asking him about the freestyle on YouTube with him, MC Eiht and myself, so he wanted to do a song “30 Years Later.”
“30 Years Later” comes courtesy of your upcoming solo LP, Baking Soda — Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?
While Westcoast Stone and I were working on the album he would always say I’m in the studio cooking or I just cooked up a slap… so that gave me the idea to call it Baking Soda.
How then does Baking Soda either differ and / or compare to previous Dazzie Dee entries?
It has a completely different sound… people are used to me rappin’ over G-Funk, which I love, but my true love / style is Hip Hop; West Coast Hip Hop to be exact!!! We created my own sound for it, and we can’t wait for people to hear it.
As a lyricist, when you sit down to pen your rhymes where do you draw your inspiration from?
Spitters! I started off as a battle rapper, so wordplay has always been my thing. This album I got to really showcase it.
Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Dazzie Dee?
There was a song called “Super Rhymes” (by Jimmy Spicer) when I was 10 years old that I couldn’t stop playing. That’s where my love for Hip Hop began.
Now where exactly in SoCal do you hail from? And growing up there, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
I’m from South Central out the Hundreds! I had so many influences, but like I said I always were into lyricists so cats like L.A. (Posse) Breeze, King Tee were emcees that I listened to from the West.
In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?
Unique! I have always had my own sound / style; my voice and flow pattern sets me apart from anyone else; I’m proud of that!
Where does your moniker Dazzie Dee a.k.a. Big Saccs originally derive from?
My very first rap name was “D Roc Ski” lLol! Around the 8th or 9th grade I changed it to “Dazzling Dee,” and by the time I got to high school I shortened to “Dazzie Dee.” Big Saccs is my producer name.
Switching gears here…
What do you feel has been the key to your longevity? And what will continue to sustain you in this business?
I studied music, rappers and styles. I came up during the time when you got props for being different!!! I was a true B-Boy, I used to Pop (and) Lock and deejay, so I embraced the true essence of Hip Hop.
What do you want people to get from your music?
With Baking Soda I want people to embrace the effort that Westcoast Stone and I put into this project. The sound is different, and it shows what two seasoned artists and producers can create when you have this many years in the game. We also took the other step of getting it professionally mixed and mastered, so it sounds BIG!!!
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?
Yes! I don’t listen to mainstream music, so I dig for the music that I enjoy listening to so I’m never disappointed. People complain about what rap music is right now, but I think instead of using that energy to complain use it to find artists that provide the things you feel is needed.
Do you have any other outside / additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Yeah, when I retired 6 years ago I got into cinematography and it’s a passion of mine. The great thing is I get to implement those skills with my current music projects. “30 Years Later” is directed by me and my bro, “Electric Palmtrees.”
To date, what has been your greatest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
Being around people who helped cultivate Hip Hop… Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, TuPac [R.I.P.], and so many others. There’s not a particular time in West Coast Hip Hop where I wasn’t around or contributed. 💯
What’s an average day like for you?
Get up, pray, smoke, take my morning walk, come home, shower, eat, then get to work…oh, and smoke throughout everything I mentioned! 💨🔥
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…
It started years ago… I was one of the first rappers to have a “forum” and we basically became a family. It taught me a lot, and to this day I still use the same philosophy. I don’t treat people like fans I treat them as family or friends.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
Creating is my favorite…and hearing something FIRE for the first time, to me there’s no other high like it!!! As far as my least favorite, I guess the egos.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Study your craft; if you rap, listen to as much music and as many artists as you can until you find your own niche! Same with producers. Learn music theory and listen to as much music as you can. Especially older music and different genres to get a better understanding of song building / structure.
Lastly, what’s next for you, Dazzie?
Not sure, but whatever it is if I’m able to be creative I will be satisfied. 💪🏾💯🙏🏾🙏🏾
Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?
Nah, this was actually a great interview; I enjoyed i! I would love to come bacc to talk more in-depth about the album.🔥🔥 💪🏾 Of course I can’t leave without shouting out my teams….First off, much love to the entire Lench Mob; K-Dee, Chilly Chill, J-Dee, T- Bone, Threi and Shorty [Rest In Peace]. My New Legend partner, Dao Poeta, my daughter, Chocolate, and the hardest producer on the West Coast, Westcoast Stone!. Look out for Baking Soda and our other project, Peanut Butter and Jelly.
Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?
To all my fans old and new…THANKS! 💯
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