Hey, its Nizam from Toronto again, and I recently caught up with the beautiful, the talented, D-Luscious who hails from Vancouver, and is one of the first desi females out of North America who is rocking the hip-hop scene. I recently caught up with D-Luscious to talk about her new album, and her career in the industry.
Nizam: First off, for all those that don't know who D'Luscious is; give is a little intro about who you are and what you bring to the music industry?
D'Luscious: I'm a 22-year-old Indo-Canadian female MC straight out of Vancouver, Canada. I just recently released my first debut album 'D'Luscious Style' on October 6, 2004, in which you can expect a variety such as R&B, Reggae, and a whole lot of hip hop. I write all my own lyrics and melodies and co-produced the album along with my producer 'The Audio Ninja.'
Nizam: You've been rapping 11 year now, from the tender age of 11. What made a young desi kudi want to start rapping?
D'Luscious: People like 2Pac, Da Brat, Queen Latifa, MC Lyte, Naughty By Nature, RUN DMC, I listened to all these artist and at times I look at them as my teachers back in the day, that taught me about the hip hop culture and made me interested in writing and rapping. As a kid I never listened to anything but hip hop. When I was 11, I was introducing 2Pac's music to all my friends and cousins, who at time were listening to Amy Grant and Boyz 2 Men. Their response used to be "Turn this Shit off Dee", and now hey all listen to his music. Funny Huh?
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Nizam: As a female artist especially, an Asian female artist how difficult was it to build a career in the hip-hop industry especially in Canada?
D'Luscious: I don't think being a female in this game is hard, but I do believe that it is very different than being a male mc. Right now we don't have many female rappers out there doing music videos and stuff so I feel like I have to set my own standards of what I think is hot. Do you get what I'm saying? I have no guidance. For male rappers starting off, they can turn to BET and get a grip of the expectations out there see the level of talent that you would be categorized under and compared to. For a female, really you just gotta figure it out. Building a career in the Canadian hip-hop industry was a challenge, especially in Vancouver. We have no hip-hop radio stations and no hip-hop TV stations, but yet all the clubs in Vancouver are pumping hip-hop joints. I don't get it. So it was challenging to break in but surely all the hard work is paying off, thanks to my great management team |
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especially Lorenzo, my main business partner and manager. |
Nizam: Hip-hop has become such a huge, huge industry, coming up in the game, who did you look up to in the hip-hop industry?
D'Luscious: I have always admired 2Pac Shakur. I've been listening to him before I even started rapping. I really appreciate his talent and thank him for the guidance he gave me throughout my young writing days. I was inspired to start writing after so many hours of listening to 2Pac.
Nizam: Coming from an Asian background and household, was it difficult to garner support from your family and friends, with your aspiration to pursue a career in the music industry?
D'Luscious: Well, I can't say it was hard in the beginning because no one knew of my passion for hip hop and my desire to pursue a career in the music industry. Maybe I was afraid of the feedback…I don't know. But everyone did find out eventually after I won 1st place in grade 7 for a Human Rights competition where I had written a song about racism and recorded it and sent it off. The initial response from my family was very positive, but probably only because at the time I was like 12 years old. They had no idea that I wrote like a song a day and that I wanted to actually do this professionally. After a few years of performing here and there at local talent shows, I think my parents got the idea. They never really tried to stop me. Anyway, I did leave home at the age of 17 to go ahead and pursue my career on my own. After the completion of my album in October 2004, I flashed my CD to Mom and Dad and I won't lie, they were very proud of me. From their point of view they saw their kid actually fulfil her childhood dream of releasing her own album. Of course they're going to be proud.
Nizam: Your album D-Luscious style is out now; can you tell us what kind of flavaz you have packed on this the album?
D'Luscious: There is a lot of collaboration with Hip Hop and R&B. Many tracks have a singing melody to them. I like tracks like that. Y'know the Fat Joe featuring Ashanti type of tracks, but the difference is that I sing my own hooks and rap all the verses as well. It's a unique style that represents what I like to listen to, that's why I named the album D'Luscious Style, I'm hoping to get my own category at the Grammy's…… just joking.
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Nizam: On your debut album you've got a track that talks about the Haters. Tell us more about these so-called Haters have hated on you personally?
D'Luscious: LOL, Doesn't everyone at one point have to deal with 'haters' in their life? I dealt with it the most after I left home (when I was 17). I left home without my parent's approval so it really rang out some nasty judgments and rumours of to why I left home. I heard through many resources things people were saying, and it really left a bitter taste in my mouth of many people that I thought were family and friends. I think that song reflects my feelings during that period of time. I was feeling alone and betrayed by people that I cared about. It isn't the most positive song on the album but it definitely pumps me up when I'm feeling messed up.
Nizam: Your write all your own lyrics as well! Where do you get your inspiration when writing |
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as your album covers a wide range of topics? |
D'Luscious: My experiences, others experiences, fantasies, dreams...you name it, I'll write it. I've been blessed with a great talent to write songs and I think it is greater talent than me just rapping. When I hear a wicked beat, it takes me minutes to come up with a hook and maybe a half hour to write the verses. I get right into the song and think of my voice as an instrument part of the beat. When I write on my own without a beat, sometimes I can have more fun with my lyrics and melodies because I have freedom of changing anything to anything.
Nizam: You are also expected to be on a Mixtape with DJ Bijal from NYC could you tell us how that came about?
D'Luscious: DJ Bijal actually got a hold of me through email and asked me to host his Mixtape. I heard many positive things about him and the work he has done. He's a young guy doing his thing and he's good at what he does so I thought, "why not". One thing I got to say about him is that he works very fast. I was in the studio recording the intro's and stuff for him and the next day or so he's got the copies printed ready to sell. Now that's cool. I love people that are on top of things. No bullsh**, straight Business. [You can check DJ Bijal's site: www.djbijal.com for more info].
Nizam: Is there anyone in the Asian industry that you would like to collaborate with?
D'Luscious: I would love to work with Jay Sean and Juggy D. Both are young, gorgeous, and talented Indian guys. I love both of their voices. To collaborate with them would be a really unique experience. Another artist I can't wait to work with is Bohemia from Oakland, he raps in Punjabi. Now that's cool man.
Nizam: I understand you've been getting a few e-mails from Asian men saying as an Asian girl you should be making roti rather than rapping. How does such comments affect you?
D'Luscious: It makes me laugh; only because I can make roti…I'm not joking. Seriously though, those type of people got be kidding me though. Why is it that what I am doing is wrong in their eyes? You see this type of attitude from some of our old fashioned parents is what is keeping our female MC's from coming out, you know.
Nizam: Now I hear you make roti just as well as you rap and you can do both at the same time! Is this true?
D'Luscious: It is true. Can you picture it?
Nizam: I understand you are working on your music video. Tell us more about the concept behind that and when we should expect it?
D'Luscious: If I tell you the concept then it wouldn't be a surprise. A few clues though: Expect D'Luscious showing a little crazy side but in a classy way. Expect a lot of interesting and exciting dance routines and expect gorgeous people featuring in the video. It will be released early May of this year.
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Nizam: I must say, as I'm sure many people do, but girl you are one beautiful looking woman, I'm sure all the readers out there want to know if you're single, and if so, what do you look for in a man?
D'Luscious: AAAHWW! Thank You Nizam. I am Single. I don' think this music career wants me to have a man. I'm so busy all the time. But if I were to date, I like guys that are down to earth and that would put up with my music life. A guy that likes to go out and enjoy the simplicity of life and isn't high maintenance.
Nizam: If you can give any up and coming Asian artists any advice what would it be?
D'Luscious: Don't let anything hold you back. Many obstacles will come your way, many 'haters' will come your way. But all these things should drive you to push harder. Don't do anything to please anyone in this industry. Do it for yourself and it will make you work harder. Be your own worst critic, so if you hear any |
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bullsh** from anyone else it won't bother you because you know you have been harder on yourself. Also, reach out into your own community for help; you will be amazed of the response. |
Nizam: You career is pretty much in its early stages. What to hope to achieve over the entirety of you career?
D'Luscious: Wow. I can write a book to that. There are so many things I want to achieve. First of all, I definitely want the whole world to know who D'Luscious is. I want to do a world tour eventually. I want to own my own record company in the next 2 years to help upcoming hip-hop artist get started and provide the right sources to them.
Nizam: You've been doing a few live performances recently. Tell us the buzz you get while performing live!
D'Luscious: Live Performances are absolutely my favourite part about being an entertainer in the music industry. I love the rush that I get and the butterflies in my stomach, it's not from nervous energy, it's the excitement. No matter what the crowd is like, I always give it my 200%. The best part is when I look around in the audience and there are people singing along to my songs. It's a crazy feeling man.
Nizam: It's becoming a bit of trend with Asian female Mc's with the likes of Miss Scandalous, Hard Kaur and Mc Topaz coming out of the UK as well as yourself and Tenashus coming out of North America. What would you say to the idea of having a female Asian Mc battle live on stage?
D'Luscious: That would be cool. There hasn't been anything held like that before. I thing it would be interesting to see who wins.
Nizam: Are you planning any future tours, in North America or the UK?
D'Luscious: Oh Yes. First I am going to India March 7-18, and then when I get back, I'll be planning my trip to come to the UK. I can't wait!
Nizam: Do you have any final messages for the desitunes4u readers worldwide?
D'Luscious: Check out my website www.d-luscious.com, and purchase your copy of my debut album 'D'Luscious Style'. Support young talent, we really appreciate it. Also I'd love to hear any feedback that you have, email me at dee@d-luscious.com. Thank you all for your support.
I would like to thank D'Luscious for taking her time to talk to us, be sure to look out for her new album "D'Luscious Style" available at all good music shops, for more info on D'luscious check out her website www.d-luscious.com now!!
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