Published: Monday - May 15, 2006
Words by Anne van de Sande
Doujah Raze (Photo: Trilogy On Wax)
To cover the distance from underground to mainstream, you may choose several roads. The most reliable one is through talent, originality and versatility. The fastest road is through a well-oiled promotion plan and network of industry contacts. At a time where hip-hop has split and traveled into these two different directions, Doujah Raze is eager to convert it into a one way street again.
While rocking a radio show with J.J. "The Double J" Jensen, Doujah Raze developed his skills as an MC. His music was well received by a diverse crowd of label executives, promoters and radio programmers. His songs have a universal appeal, yet Doujah maintains an old school formula of hard drums and thick bass lines. Working with various producers on two continents, the beats he rhymes over are original and versatile.
After graduating from James Madison University, moving to NYC and launching Trilogy Records, the hard work have begun to pay off. The success of Doujah's first two singles and worldwide network gave way to collaborations with Da Beatminerz, Sean Prince and other of hip-hop most respecteds. Now, Raze is relentless at his attempt to crack the mainstream and creating a buzz with his re-released self-titled debut.
Shortly before kicking off his US tour, Ballerstatus caught up with Doujah to discuss his progress, Trilogy Records and feature releases.
BallerStatus.com: What made you get into hip-hop and at which point did you decide to pursue hip-hop professionally?
Doujah Raze: I've been into music all my life. At an early age, I was into hip-hop, writing my own lyrics over Run-DMC tracks. I grew up playing piano, guitar, writing lyrics and performing locally in Virginia. In college, I started DJ'ing on the radio and at parties, along with hosting on radio and freestyling in battles. Finally, I started writing tracks and recording seriously. About six years ago is when I started pursuing it professionally. and it's progressed from there.
BallerStatus.com: In '02, you moved from Washington D.C. to the hip-hop capital, New York City, which was a choice that has been essential for your development. In what way do you feel you have grown ever since you came to New York, both musically and as a person?
Doujah Raze: Yea, I've definitely grown both in music and as a person in New York City. New York will make you grow up. You have to be on point and on your grind in NYC if you want to make it. New York has been great for my musical growth because this is the home of the music I make, and this is where so much of it is happening. It's great to be around all these other artists, some of which are newcomers and some of which are veterans. It's easier to get at people up here in NYC. It's easier to make things happen. I've been here for almost four years and I've definitely grown as a person. Part of that growth is just the normal getting older part, but NYC has influenced who I am by what I see, hear and feel around me.
BallerStatus.com: Artists often title themselves the King of New York. Who do you feel should wear the crown and what qualities should a rapper possess to become the King of New York?
Doujah Raze: Truthfully, I don't really think New York has a King right now...at least not a living one. If I had to name one living rapper, it would be Jay-Z though...I think Jay has really proven himself as a true emcee and has established longevity in an industry where cats are here one day and gone the next. Biggie, of course, was one of the Kings of New York. I consider G-Rap up there too as one of the great veterans in NYC.
BallerStatus.com: Together with your manager/producer Double J, you established your own label called Trilogy Records. The two of you handle the distribution and promotion yourself. The hard work is starting to paid off, you teamed up with Sean Price and O.C. among others, toured in Europe and all six single releases climbed to the No. 1 position of the college charts. How far are you, compared to where you want to be?
Doujah Raze: We're getting farther everyday. Trilogy just secured a distribution deal with Ryko through Raptivism Records. We re-released my album on a national scale and it's now available in chain stores like Best Buy, Tower, and FYE, as well as online. This distro deal is a big step in the right direction for Trilogy. We keep seeing growth and we expect it to continue. Raptivism has a proven success record and you can't get much bigger than Ryko doing your distro...it was an easy decision to join up with them. They felt that my album deserved better distribution than it had already experienced, so they re-released it.
As far as I go, I'm working with artists that I want to work with. Some are young, and some are cats I grew up listening to. But, it all makes sense and I expect to continue to work with artists that are making the same moves as I am.
BallerStatus.com: Double J and you managed to build up a worldwide network, giving you the opportunity to do shows in Europe. How would you describe the European scene and did you observe any major differences between the American and European hip-hop scene?
Doujah Raze: There are definitely differences between the American and European scene. I love doing shows both at home and abroad, but I find more consistency in Europe. The scene is newer over there...fresher...and I think people are more open to music they haven't heard before. But don't get me wrong, rocking a dope show in America is incredible. I wanna be just as big here as I am in Europe.
BallerStatus.com: Now that you have been working on two continents, do you have an explanation for the fact that European artists hardly ever make it in the States?
Doujah Raze: European artists have a tough time making it here because the original language of hip-hop is American. Other countries have adapted their own forms of hip-hop from American hip-hop. American hip-hop is universal, where as German or French hip-hop may be more confined to countries that speak German and French, respectively.
BallerStatus.com: The first single of the album, "Hard Times," was released back in 2001. What took you so long to drop the album?
Doujah Raze: It takes time to do things the right way. Our plan from the beginning was to release single after single until we felt my fan base was large enough to successfully release a full length. It did take a long time, but I was busy in those years -- touring, recording, and releasing singles. I feel like it was the right amount of time. It allowed me to grow and establish myself as a name before dropping my first big release.
BallerStatus.com: Some of the album's production is done by Shuko, a German producer. How did the collaboration between the two of you take place? Did you go in the studio with him while you were touring in Europe or did you exchange material online?
Doujah Raze: We exchanged material online way before we met in person. We finally met when I toured Europe for the first time. I ate dinner with his grandparents. Now, when he comes to NYC, he stays with us. He's definitely family...crazy what the internet will do.
BallerStatus.com: On the sixth single, "Plastic World," you talk about the bad things that you have observed, from alcoholics and politics to chemicals. How do you think the hip-hop generation of today can bring about change in society, thoughts and views?
Doujah Raze: The hip-hop generation is pretty big. Hip-hop culture has become pop culture. The problem is most of the popular hip-hop isn't saying much. I think the generation does have power to bring about change. It just needs to be steered more clearly.
BallerStatus.com: Your grandfather, who was a songwriter and a dancer, had a big influence on your career. He appears on one track of the album and is portrayed in the album booklet. What were the most important advices he gave you when you were grinding your way up?
Doujah Raze: He was kind of crazy. I loved him to death. We were best friends. I remember him always telling me I could be whatever I wanted, whether that was a baseball player or a rock star. He said I didn't have to work like everyone else. It was always his dream to be a famous singer. He recorded little things in home studios here and there, but nothing ever came of it. So, I decided to put him on my album. He definitely gave me the musical inspiration I needed.
BallerStatus.com: You're working on a new album, Past, Presence & Features, which will be released this month. Are you going for the same vibe as your debut album, or will we get to know a different side of Doujah Raze?
Doujah Raze: It's actually called Doujah Raze Presents: Past, Presence & Features. It's not my official second LP. It's more of a presentation type project. Most of the tracks are features. A few joints are old, but most of the joints are new and they're bananas. So yea, I decided to call it Past, Presence & Features. It will feature O.C., Sean Price, A.G., Born Unique, Kev Brown, Haysoos, Kaimbr, Kaze, and a few more...maybe my peoples Scavone and Oxygen. It has production by Shuko, Arythmetic, The One, Kev Brown, Unknown out of Australia.
BallerStatus.com: What's next for Doujah Raze?
Doujah Raze: Touring the US, drop the next record, get back to Europe, write and record the official 2nd LP and just keep going.
For more information about Doujah Raze visit TrilogyOnWax.com and DoujahRaze.com.
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