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Let’s look at Hip Hop as a tree, you have a seed which creates the genre then it branches out to represent the leaves. And just as the leaves fall another leaf has grown, but what happens to that fallen leaf? In Hip Hop the more established you become you create a seed of your own and nurture it, doesn’t nature do the same? Doesn’t it take man to plant that seed in the first place?
D.2.1 is doing just that. With the empire of Black Mobb Entertainment he’s already branched out and created an impact to the scene in his own way. Having collaborated with some of the finest UK rappers before even marking down his territory, D.2.1 has a marketing strategy of his own and is now nurturing his musical seed with UK’s own naturist, The Industry.
Although D.2.1 represents Hip Hop, he will always entertain with conscious lyrics, "my music is like a window into me…just me talking to myself in my head on paper".
Promotional tactics continued when D moved back to the UK, and whilst promoting material on road he became no stranger to the stage, with performances at the likes of Elysium, Oceans, Sugar hut, Madaam Jojo’s, Funky Buddah. But the most memorable set was at Mean Fiddlers Jump Off event, "I was so hyped cause I knew I could destroy the dude I was spitting against but when I got on stage I just overloaded…. I don’t even remember if I was actually rapping or just screaming at the dude off beat over a beat! I got booed and then the kid just killed me and told me to go back to New York. I was not happy."
D.2.1 later set up independent record label, Black Mobb Entertainment, where he has released various mix tapes including the ‘Pain Mix Tape’ and has shifted 40,000 units single handily, "The feed back is what keeps me going really sometimes it’s hard to gauge cause I’m always meeting first time potential fans"
Although UKHH has been progressing rapidly over the last few years, the industry can be harsh because there still is no established and steady market. Having lived in the States most his life D has perfected his craft whilst being surrounded by US influences and may be critised on his deliverance of rhymes, "it gets held against me as well helps me at times but its like if you’re real you win, people over for being you. I hustle hard, period. That’s what people love about me. I got love for UK so I rep UK. Simple" Unfazed D.2.1 can see a positive outcome for UKHH but the lack of industry support can destroy ambitions, "there’s not enough support for Hip Hop in UK, period. That’s why even though I sometimes hate I gotta love Channel U, they give you that platform if you are willing to play their game. Gotta shout my homie 279 [Choice FM DJ] BIG! I guess we gotta reach higher to get shine in ‘08".
"we all been going through the same struggles and temptations for all of time. I just tell what I been through."
With this in mind D2.1 has a full agenda for 2008, "my focus is on the ‘Pain’ album for as long as it takes… I’m recording three more long players now with three producers, features will be coming, more mix-tapes more hustle. Yup a long year!"
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© ukhh.com 2008
D.2.1 Interview
D.2.1 began to pursue his musical ambitions from a young age, but as he started to develop his craft he took on a more professional approach at 21 years of age. Born in the UK and spending most of his life growing up in the Bronx US, "I started out with my family from the block just free-styling, then we started making CD’s on my sister’s computer putting them on the block for the youngers and it just kinda grew from that seed. From NY to LA to UK just growing branches now, only thing next to spring is the leaves and fruit" 
Since being back home D has collaborated with some of the finest UK talents such as Stylah, Poisonous Poets, Mike GLC, MD7, Freddy Kruga, Perry Morgan, Triple Darkness, Blind Alphabetz, M9, Shadow and Mr. Drastic to name a few, "This is like a volcano smoking right now, you ain’t seen nothing yet. I’m on the streets everyday and I work with some sick rappers and MC’s. UK is going hard right now, we hungry. It’s like real recognize real".
To date D.2.1 has released his debut album’ Pain’, and has received a lot of support from DJ’s such as 279, 1Xtra’s Twin B and play-listed on HHBRADIO, Fully Deep and Conspiracy for the ‘That’s Wassup’ single. The album is currently available to purchase at most independent stores as well as D himself selling them on the streets, "If you’re willing to give me the time and your undivided attention. Expect to be entertained" This project consists of real experiences told through conscious rhyme over productive beats, comparisons to the likes of G-Unit, Styles P, D’Block and the diplomat family, concluding just the introduction to the musical journal of D.2.1, 
D.2.1 has grown into an artist who will always improve his compelling abilities in music, he’s studied both the UK and US markets as well as lived it "Its like 2 sided of a coin. It’s a baby here and fully developed there. Its bigger in the states territory wise and smaller here, there is more money in the market in the US than there is in the UK. In the UK we have less trouble creating a buzz especially in London if you willing to put in the work. Ain’t like you gotta travel 3 days by train like in the states you can hop the train to knots, It’s a much better dynamic to be independent." 
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