Dguap

Denver, CO -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/11/2012 -- Music artist Dguap has released his first commercial album "All In" through Island-Def Jam Digital Distribution. The album will be available on iTunes US/UK/Canada/Japan/Mexico, Amazon MP3, Spotify, MySpace Music, Media Net, eMusic, Zune, Rhapsody, Nokia, Shockhound, Napster, Thumbplay and dozens of other websites. This move comes in response to the success of Calhoun Block Music (http://www.calhounblockmusic.com), which in the last few years has seen traffic from 97 countries and substantial traffic from 14 countries, the top 5 being USA, Canada, England, Japan and Germany. This success has been thanks in large part to Twitter Advertising and online radio plays.

Dguap had this to say about the deal: “I always had the dream of making music for people all over the world but never thought it was possible until I became an artist with Island Def Jam.” A video for the single "Way Down" is currently in production and is due on YouTube in time to coincide with the July 13th date set by Island Def-Jam Digital Distribution when the song will be available for sale in the aforementioned stores, although it will start appearing in some stores before then.

Dguap, songwriter/producer and lifelong music artist wrote and recorded with fellow "Calhoun Block Music" artists Big Ace, Mic Wreka and songwriter/producer Livesosa from "The University". The album was produced and mastered by Tru Beatz Productions. A Las Vegas, NV raised rapper, Dguap grew up to be influenced by artists such as Tupac, Snoop Dog, Dr Dre and many others. His style of delivery in his performances is ever-evolving and continues to leave his fans astonished with every new track that is released underground.

The Island Def Jam Music Group is home to a diverse and unparalleled family of artists - from today's icons to tomorrow's rising stars - and is recognized as one of the most successful labels in the industry. It is comprised of Island Records, Def Jam Recordings, and Mercury Records. The roster boasts an array of talented artists including Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Big sean, NAS, Jay-Z, Ludacris, Juelz Santana, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, Taio Cruz, Young Jeezy and more. - SBWire

Who’s Dguap? How you got started in the music scene?

I was raised up on the west coast, mostly in Las Vegas. Hip Hop and Rap has alway been a huge part of my life and i’ve always had a passion for writing music. My passion was brought to the next level after meeting Big Ace, Co-Founder of Calhoun Block Music in Denver, CO. He had the same vision of what a label should be as me and the drive/dedication I was looking for in a label. Music gets people through the good times and the bad times. I try to reach people that can relate to the same struggles I have gone through and show them this world can be a better place with music.



What’s the story behind your artist’s name?

Since I can remember people called me “D” for short. After moving to Cincy and making music with local artists the nickname Dguap started because i’m always hustling and bout making money. After other close friends like Slayers and Kbunnie called me Dguap it just stuck and became my stage name.



What are your music influences?

Growing up out west I was instantly drawn to the original game-changers like Tupac, Snoop, Dr Dre & Too Short but have always had a passion for all styles of urban music new and old. Some of my current favorite artists and inspirations are Kid Cudi, Ludacris, Wiz Khalifa, Jay Z, UGK and Kanye West.



How you felt when you heard Island Def Jam wanted you to be part of their family?

Honestly I was surprised when I found out doing a digital distribution deal with Island Def Jam was possible. To be part of a label with artists I admire like Kanye West, Ludacris and Rick Ross to name a few is an amazing feeling. I look forward to seeing where this relationship goes and hope we can look at a worldwide physical distribution deal in the near future for this album.



What’s your method at the time of writing a song?

My writing method is probably different than most rappers. I usually lock myself in a dark place for days on end with sleep and food depravation until a hit single comes to me. Hahaha but for real it all starts with the beat. I listen to a beat and see what kind of emotions and thoughts it brings me then write a song around it. I listen to instrumentals every chance I get. At home, In the car and every other chance I get you can probably find me listening to instrumentals or writing a song on my free time.



What makes you different to other rappers?

My style is unique and the sound I come out with is always evolving. My songs range from hyphy club tracks to in your face rap songs and even the occasional breakup song. Nothing is off limits. I’m always looking for new subjects to write about and incorporate things I am going through in life or things that I experienced in the past.



So I got understand you already worked on a video for one of your latest album’s single. Can you tell us more about it?

We just completed a video to a club song off the new album called “Way Down” with the help of director Michael Alston from Diamond Multimedia Design. We went for a unique video concept. None of the artists featured on the song are in the video at all. The video was based on women getting down in the club and the video focuses on women going “way down”. Keep an eye out for more videos to release in the near future from this album!



All In. How was the recording and writing process for this record? How you came out with the title?

The recording process for “All In” was a challenge. We were dealing with artists, producers, and engineers from four different states. It was a lot of long nights in the studio, on the phone and sending emails back and forth. I couldn’t have asked for a better dream team in the creation process. The artist features Big Ace, Mic Wreka, Livesosa, Kajmir and Tha Saint brought a sound to my album that I didn’t think was possible. The engineer and producer TC from True Beatz Productions brought it to the next level by bringing his talents to the table. Looking back I can’t even express how much hard work was put into the album but it was everything I imagined and more. The title came from my love of the Sin City and me going all in on this album.



What has been the funniest moment you have been or took part while playing a gig or touring?

I remember the first time I ever performed at a club was in Denver, CO. It was as low budget as you can possibly imagine. Due to technical difficulties and low budget equipment they could only get us two mic’s for three performers. It was the must uncoordinated, last minute show and almost didn’t happen because one of the artists wasn’t old enough at the time to be in the club but we still got the crowd rockin and shut the show down. I remember being so nervous before going up but when I got on stage everything went into a blur and the music took over in me. It was an amazing feeling and a rush to say the least. Ever since then I have been addicted to making music for people and getting i - Vents Magazine