Up close with D - hip hop. A Canadian Hip Hop Success Story.

2008-11-14T08:16:00Z

Toronto, Ontario might not be the birthplace of hip hop but it did spark some of hip-hops most legendary underground lyricists. The rise of Canadian Hip hop in the late 1980's, it was the beginning where Devon, Maestro Fresh Wes and Dream Warriors did break into the mainstream for a brief time. Maestro's first chart hit, "Let Your Backbone Slide", was the first hip-hop single in Canada to break into the Top 40, and remains the best-selling Canadian hip-hop single of all time. Other talked about rap singles of this era include Maestro's "Drop the Needle", Devon's "Mr. Metro", Dream Warriors' "Wash Your Face in My Sink" and "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style", and Kish's "I Rhyme the World in 80 Days". All of which captured the raw art of street hip hop storytelling in the late 80s.

Standing on the shoulders of great Canadian MCs before him, Damir the rapper hopes to continue in their footsteps and make a name for himself. First releasing Blow the Sound back in 2001, and Live at the El Mocambo - Toronto, Ontario, a collection of tracks performed live at the legendary venue. The Historical Concert Venue El Mocambo - Toronto, Ontario, has been the heart of the Toronto Music Scene for over 100 years hosting events from Rock and Roll, Hip Hop and Rap. In 2002 Damir released Blow The Sound on BTS's label with an electronic alternative hip hop album feel. He eventually released his own full-length album Black and White featuring the hit track Business. Damirs memorable verses I'll take my business elsewhere and What you think and feel is Lawless generated quite a buzz even today.

Although relatively new in the hip hop world Damir maintains a span of over 8 years of musical experience and remains a favorite among fans worldwide. Having performed in Japan and toured in Europe with his independent label BTS Music, Damir puts it into perspective and describes the experience to be a chance of a life-time. Everyday something is happening, traveling, writing in the studio, producing the music; this is the world and mind of Damir when you see his performance live and you hear his album.

With Damir returning to Toronto from his Asian World Tour: Japan, Tokyo, South Korea, Seoul and Thailand, Bangkok, we got hold of Damir to tell us about his globe trotting experience and what has been happening, and what it is that inspires Damir to keep doing what he does.

John Paul: What was most memorable from your tour?

Damir: The Live performances were the ultimate, thats the best part of doing what I do. Everywhere was memorable but I have to say Japan was the most interesting, out of respect to the performer the audience doesnt whistle, scream or clap until someone else does and when they do, all are in sync and they stop in sync. I really love Japan, Tokyo, Shibuya-Ku, Roppongi and Daikanyama and of course Shinjuku. Did you know Tokyo is really correctly spelled Toukyou, not Tokyo. What we learn in school is wrong. No joke.

John Paul: You released your first Album Blow The Sound in 2001. Why did it take so long for you to come out with your first official album Black and White in 2007?

Damir: Because I wanted to complete my education. I wanted to finish what I started and same goes for music. I had to focus on my studies and exams and also get my life together. I had to put my mind in school mode but i still kept my music mind state until I completed all my exams to get back into music mode. So it took a little longer than I expected. School really grabs hold of your mind, and that didnt help me, and on the other hand it did help me with new ideas, you know.

John Paul: Howd that affect you afterwards when you started working on Black and White? What were you thinking of or what mind state were you feelin?

Damir: I started doubting school and everything I learned, cause everything on paper makes the world seem so peaceful but in reality its totally different. I read about equality and yet we don't have that anywhere. It all started to feel like I'm being brainwashed cause I learned a lot of information that was simply useless. I support education, don't get me wrong. But you really have to love what your doing and love what you're learning so you don't become a hater and start hating what you're learning and that includes what you learn at school. And I dont plan on going back. It has helped me learn about what I don't enjoy and what I enjoy more; which is music.

John Paul: Did you pay for your album yourself was it independent?

Damir: Black and White, this one was really independent. You know, people be saying they are independent but they may be really signed to a company or have a undisclosed backer. This one was literally independent. I put up my own money together, my own equipment and studio to get the production done. I basically did this all on my own even the tour to Asia when I got there I made new connections and it became a success more than I ever dreamed of. And I was lucky cause I have a passport from Canada. We can travel anywhere! And I see no difference indie or major labels nowadays cause we can do the same thing the majors are doing it just takes a little longer by building our own fan-base and selling our music on-line controlling all of it and trying to promote it whatever way we can. But a lot of people are still checking for which I greatly appreciate. And by the way, I got a new album coming out this soon. Check it out.

John Paul: As far as this new album, what do you hope listeners get from it?

Damir: I have no clue yet. I have written so many lyrics from traveling and I now need to get some production together, I was hoping to find a producer who would be interested in hearing what I got to offer, and we can take it from there. But I can do all the production myself as well. We will see what happens first. I want people to get the inventiveness and originality part of Damir as a hip hop underground solo artist, for real.

John Paul: You traveled around the world can you tell us what are the sets backs if any?

Damir: There is a lot of isolation and being independent, like moving into your own place. You have to find a place to eat, a place to rest your head and your mind cause everything can be so overwhelming since you don't understand the language and the surroundings. And you don't want to offend people. And you probably do only because you are from a different culture and you shake hands and they don't. There is more organization in events, I sensed that over there, with everything working out and with nothing to stress over for the show or arriving on time. I definitely felt that. As for adjusting to a new culture I was easy for me cause I like to explore and try new things and eat different food. Thats important and just go for it. When in Rome do as the romans do!! Then why go to Rome! This is the way I like to live. Im just telling you thats the way I live, especially if I'm gonna expand my knowledge of different cultures. Im just giving you information on what I did, so people can experience what I did and get to see it and maybe learn something from it as I did.

John Paul: What else can you say about traveling to Asia?

Damir: Ive seen a lot of hip hop culture with kids practicing break dancing out on the streets in Japan, Korea and Thailand. Ive seen the whole movement growing all over the world. I think Ive really learned a lot especially because I know where we came from. From living in Toronto, NYC and Texas and going to school, traveling the world to seeing kids across the world loving hip hop and want to embrace it and be like it. So I feel its growing and growing non-stop! And it happened naturally by music traveling over seas to people getting a chance to share each others cultures. Its great.

John Paul: Whats something you know now that you wish you knew back then when you first toured in Asia?

Damir: I wish I reminded myself that "time really flies by". To take every opportunity that comes your way even though at that moment it seems worthless or a waste of time. Open your eyes and see that every opportunity however small is your stepping stone to bigger and better things. Its your chance every time. sometimes I was tired and hungry and my judgments weren't clear. I had a few opportunities that i didn't act on, so before you make a decision or discuss take a rest, or take a deep breath, have a full stomach or something to eat so you can think clearer. Some sweets or something. Ya.

John Paul: I was talking to my friends last week about Business. Seems like everybody knows every word off that track, in particular your verse on Money Talks it Opens Doors, it says come on in and gives you a choice..... with a kick at the door - I' ll take my business elsewhere! Hows it feel when you go around the city, around the world and people know your lyrics word-for-word like that? I've seen your Business lyrics translated into Japanese, German, Italian over the internet as well!

Damir: That's awesome, wow. I actually got my first deal just off of that verse. I got hooked up with a Talent Agency in Toronto, who I'm not working with anymore. I got an advance for that. So when I went to Japan and people sing along in the audience, its crazy. Thats a great feeling. Thats what keeps me wanting to still make music and write because I know I touch a lot of people out there through my music, you know!

John Paul: Youve been in this game for more than 9 years. A lot of groups come out with two or three songs and then you never hear about them again. What kept you motivated and inspired to keep writing and doing your music?

Damir: Keep writing about things that I need therapy with; what I learned from school and the streets to get it out of my system. Keep writing until you find out something about yourself that you didnt know before. Keep writing to expose something that you see and know others can benefit from; my knowledge. I keep on doing what I'm doing and that motivates me! I guess when you want something, you just keep going hard for it. It doesnt matter whether youre doing production, arranging, and writing. My family, my friends, and my fans are my number one inspiration. But when they give me that reaction like, Catchy - Ya, I love your music! and all that, it makes me feel like this is what Im here to do and this is what I'm supposed to be doing!

John Paul: How do you want the world to remember you, when its all said and done? What do you want the world to know about Damir, whether it be music or whatever?

Damir: I mean, definitely my original alternative music and lyrics. And on top of that, Im just a regular average normal type of guy, you know. I'm just a kid who made something of himself from nothing, everyone has paths they can take, mine was music. Finishing what I started is really important to me. Not just saying something for the sake of it. And I love all the fans, man. Theyre the ones who keep me alive, without them I'm nothing.

I'm not as well known as the previous Canadian hero's Snow, Michie Mee, Dream Warriors and now K-os, Kardi, Swollen Members but there names I will never forget. And I cant forget to mention Trauma Unit the original name was a hip hop group out of the Toronto Parkdale area who I have mad respect for, never forget you, I love you man.

And I want people to see me as an artist who never gave up and people to remember my songs and know who Damir is. And to take my Business track literally; keep fighting for what you love to do! I call that success. Getting to do what you love to do; that's success. Cause that's the only way to live, there is no other way. Love-ing what you do - and no one can take that away from you or even stop you. That's success.

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Interview by: John Paul BTS Music Toronto Culture for the Next Generation.

Musocity - Damir's articles

Up close with D - hip hop. A Canadian Hip Hop Success Story.