WBG: What influenced you to write “Jay, 50 and Weezy”?

D1: I wrote “Jay, 50, and Weezy” when I was still teaching middle school. I saw how my students were so influenced by hip hop artists and our culture and i thought about my upbringing and who influenced me back then. “Jay, 50, and Weezy” came to mind. Then I thought about how I have matured and how I still respect them as men and talented artists, but I also see where they can be doing more to help change the culture in a good way. So my song was based on a dream I had where I had a meeting with those guys. Its not a diss song, just a real song.

WBG: How has your life changed since you dropped the video?
D1: I’m on MTV. The video has almost 100,000 hits on youtube in less than a month. People in other countries are now fans of Dee-1 and OMAR Ent. (One Man Army Rebel Ent). I have tons of new fans who appreciate me for me. They have gone to dee1music.com and downloaded “I Hope They Hear Me Vol 1″ and been going on iTunes to get my album “David & Goliath.” But I have been grinding so I’m thankful that God has begun to open these doors for me.

Hit the jump below to view the full interview with Dee-1.

WBG: What is the most important thing you learned in college?

D1: I learned to always have a plan and a vision but to be flexible enough to change it at the drop of a dime. Things didn’t always go the way I wanted them to, but my long term vision kept me focused on my goals, which were graduatiing and making it as a hip hop artist.

WBG: How did you get the name Dee-1?

D1: When I first started rapping (in college), I went by the name Deezy, which was my nickname from my friends. But that was WAY too common, so I changed it too Dee-1. Dee-1 means I am “The 1″ that’s been chosen to make history (but D is for my first name David), and also Dee-1 as in “D1″ or a Division 1 school, which is top notch. I went to LSU, which is a D1 school. Go Tigers…

WBG: How have your goals and expectations changed in the past few months in comparison to when you began rapping?

D1: My goals have always been the same. I want to reach the masses with my music. Millions of people. The difference is that now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s starting to happen.

WBG: What is your definition of success and how will you judge your level of success?

D1: Success in my eyes is 1. having a mission and a purpose for why I want to be in the music industry, 2. sticking to that mission, and 3. reaching as many people while completing my mission. I don’t think I will be able to judge my level of success because I live this mission in first person. Others will have to judge how successful I was after its all said and done.

WBG: What do you think you mean to the people of New Orleans?

D1: I think I symbolize hope and change. I make them proud. We are beautiful people, and I am an ambassador of the 504′s beauty.

WBG: How is New Orleans doing from your perspective?

D1: New Orleans is getting better. It’s still a work in progress though. We have a new Mayor and many citizens who are committed to the rebirth of a new New Orleans. Ceasefire New Orleans is an organization that I work with in the city to help curtail the murders that take place. Drugs, lack of education, and murder are still huge problems. As I’m sure they are in most urban cities.

WBG:  Do you feel the country as a whole has helped New Orleans?

D1: Yes and no. The people have, but sometimes the powers at be have turned a blind eye to us. But I have been all over the country and met people who have helped in their own way or donated money or even flown down to help rebuild our communities. We appreciate that from the bottom of our hearts.

WBG: How important is it to you to convey a message when writing a new song?

D1: It’s mandatory. But I’m getting better. I used to force it sometimes because I was so concerned with getting a certain message out, but now I’m better at embedding the message in the song in a way that is not forced. It’s still work though. Everytime I write, I try to get better at it. I’m on a mission, so the day I’m not trying to convey a message, we have a problem. Someone in my camp needs to pull me aside and get me back focused.

WBG: What are the necessities when writing…location, surroundings, pen and paper,  computer; etc.?

D1: Pencil, paper, and beat. I get it in ANYWHERE. Some of my best songs have been written in the weirdest places. Especially when I’m driving. I always think of great ideas when I’m driving.

WBG:  What do you plan to do in the future? Any new projects?

D1: I am working on several projects….. My next full length release will be “I Hope They Hear Me Vol 2″ which is coming in December… I have several singles that I’m releasing in the mean time… The next video I’m releasing is called “One Man Army.”

WBG:  Have you worked with any artists on upcoming projects?

D1: Yes, I have some DOPE features and collabs on “I Hope They Hear Me Vol 2,” I’d like to keep them a secret for right now though…..

WBG: What does the phrase “and the battle continues…” mean to you?

D1: …and the battle continues means that nomatter what positive or negative thing may happen, this mission is not accomplished nor failed in one day. This race has no finish line. So “…and the battle continues” is a reminder that we are in this for the long haul and there is always more work to be done. My video “Jay, 50, and Weezy” got picked up by MTV, but that doesn’t mean my mission is complete or I have made it…. Not at all… The battle continues.

WBG: What influenced you to write “Jay, 50 and Weezy”?

D1: I wrote “Jay, 50, and Weezy” when I was still teaching middle school. I saw how my students were so influenced by hip hop artists and our culture and i thought about my upbringing and who influenced me back then. “Jay, 50, and Weezy” came to mind. Then I thought about how I have matured and how I still respect them as men and talented artists, but I also see where they can be doing more to help change the culture in a good way. So my song was based on a dream I had where I had a meeting with those guys. Its not a diss song, just a real song.

WBG: How has your life changed since you dropped the video?
D1: I’m on MTV. The video has almost 100,000 hits on youtube in less than a month. People in other countries are now fans of Dee-1 and OMAR Ent. (One Man Army Rebel Ent). I have tons of new fans who appreciate me for me. They have gone to dee1music.com and downloaded “I Hope They Hear Me Vol 1″ and been going on iTunes to get my album “David & Goliath.” But I have been grinding so I’m thankful that God has begun to open these doors for me.

WBG: Has Jay-Z, 50 Cent or Lil Wayne reached out to you?

D1: No. I’m looking forward to having that meeting one day though. Seriously.

WBG: What artists would you like to work with?

D1: Hmmm… Nas, Lauryn Hill, DMX, Jadakiss, India Arie, Joe Budden, Murs, Joell Ortiz, J Cole, Wale, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne. If the energy and the intention is right, I am down to work with several different people, because there is so much talent out there.

WBG:  What is your favorite hip-hop verse of all time and why?

D1: NAS; One Mic; 3rd verse….. It gave me goosebumps when I heard it and inspired me to want to rap.

WBG:  Have you toured? Where did you get the best reaction? (outside of your region)

D1: Yes, I have performed in several states across the country. I think performing is my favorite part of being an artist. I want to do shows until I’m so tired that I need a break. I get a great reaction everywhere I go because real people connect with real people like magnets. And my fan base is full of realness. The type of music I make appeals to a side that everyone has in them, the vibes are always good.

WBG:  Will you be checking WeBeenGone everyday now?

D1: OF COURSE!!!!!! Will you be checking twitter.com/dee1music and dee1music.com everyday now?