SPOLIGHT ON...
D. LOPES
I had the greatest opportunity recently to interview one of the most influential rappers/entertainers in the music industry. He has been hitting us with his lyrical rhymes, influential flows, and bass hitting get on your feet beats since the begging of his career. His first album, “Bright Darkness”, that he co produced with long time friend and business partner J. Beats (The Beatmaker), was a huge success, and soon the duo started on their second project “Concrete Intelligence”. Both these albums had huge success, with hits, C.A.B.O., My People, She Shakes It, and Never Gonna Leave, to name a few. With his Award for Best Original Hip Hop Performance on B.E.T.’S 106 and Park, D. Lopes has set the bar very high for newcomers who want to break into this industry. D. Lopes has been a celebrated figure in the Cape Verdean community, especially the New England Area, not only when it comes to his music, but also for his fashion.
D. Lopes (Daniel Lopes), a first generation Cape Verdean in America, was born in Boston Massachusetts. He later moved to Brockton and at the young age of three, started his musical career singing in an Elementary school chorus. As a former DJ, D. Lopes is conscious about what people want to hear. He says, "People don’t want to hear profanity-driven music with no conscious message or experience to back it up". He strives to make music people want to hear by consistently writing relevant lyrics and making intelligent music, which is needed in this frequently every changing, jewelry, fur flaunting, no message bubble gum Hip Hop. Bubble gum Hip Hop, you ask? A type of music that is 85% Pop, 14% R&B, and 1% Hip Hop, music made famous by suburbian teenyboppers. Where is real Hip Hop? Real hip hop is D. Lopes.
Hip Hop by definition is a “musical genre that developed as part of hip hop culture, and is defined by four key stylistic elements: rapping, DJing/scratching, sampling (or synthesis), and beatboxing.” D. Lopes not only has all those key elements but he has submerged himself in the entire subculture of Hip Hop, and you can see that through his Fashion. Like Hip Hop, Fashion has changed dramatically over the years, especially Hip Hop fashion. You won’t see many people wearing brightly colored name-brand tracksuits, sheepskin leather bomber jackets, and Clark shoes that we all knew growing up. With the era of ever changing throwback jersey, air force ones, shell toe addidas sneakers we have come into the era where many hip hop artists and executives started their own fashion labels and clothing lines. With lines by artists like P.Diddy (Sean John), TI (AKOO), Nelly (Apple Bottom Jeans), Damon Dash and Jay-Z (Rocawear), 50 Cent (G-Unit Clothing), Eminem (Shady Limited), D. Lopes is right there with his own line from Street Smart Entertainment. He later in the interview describes what his fashion is all about, but let me just note he won’t be wearing Skinny Low jeans that rappers like Lil Waye and New Boyz’s made popular. Like Jay-Z said “don't wear skinny jeans cause my knots won't fit”. With websites like RateMyFresh.Com http://www.ratemyfresh.com/, which does a great job showcasing the new fashion styles and trends in the Hip Hop Society, D Lopes would get top ratings.
D. Lopes music and fashion is all about that solid, hard-hitting high-spirited, unflappable, laidback old school feel, sprinkled with African, funk, Neo-Soul, Reggae, Rock and Roll, and Capeverdean rhymes and influences. D. Lopes take the listeners and followers into an appealing world where anything is possible. Striving to be more than just a rapper, D. Lopes with the help of, J. Beats, Ary Santos, Lisa R Photo, Frenchy, Dj Backspin and Dj MastaMyne established Street Smart Entertainment, a multifaceted company that brings together talents in the areas of fashion, modeling, dancing, photography and most importantly Music.
D. Lopes is a forever growing and forever changing individual, which can be seen through his music, fashion and growing company. For all the Casuna’s Connection followers this was my one on one interview with, the CEO, Rapper, Artist, Dj, and well let me just say this amazing man named Daniel Lopes aka D. Lopes.
CC) Tell me a little about yourself?
DL) My Name is Daniel Lopes, but everyone knows me as D. Lopes. Music has been in my blood since I could remember. I was in chorus from the 4th grade until I graduated. I began Djing at the age of 14 and began Rapping at the age of 16. I was Born in Boston MA, but moved to Brockton at the age of 3. I have three siblings, which mean the world to me and I take pride in being Cape Verdean and it is evident in everything that I do.
CC) What is your inspiration when it comes to music and fashion?
DL) Musically I want to make classics, music that stands the test of time. I think Fashion is very similar. I love to stay trendy, but I always look at an article of clothing and say, “If I take a picture will I see that picture five or ten years from now and say, What the Hell was I Wearing!!!!
DL) My Name is Daniel Lopes, but everyone knows me as D. Lopes. Music has been in my blood since I could remember. I was in chorus from the 4th grade until I graduated. I began Djing at the age of 14 and began Rapping at the age of 16. I was Born in Boston MA, but moved to Brockton at the age of 3. I have three siblings, which mean the world to me and I take pride in being Cape Verdean and it is evident in everything that I do.
CC) What is your inspiration when it comes to music and fashion?
DL) Musically I want to make classics, music that stands the test of time. I think Fashion is very similar. I love to stay trendy, but I always look at an article of clothing and say, “If I take a picture will I see that picture five or ten years from now and say, What the Hell was I Wearing!!!!
CC) Do you have any idols or people you look up to in your life?
DL) I look up to my team for putting up with me. I keep them busy.
CC) You have been in the music game since the 4th grade, where do you see yourself 5 to 10 years from now?
DL) Being in the music game since the 4th grade, I was a very shy kid growing up, so I would never sing solo’s or took command of the crowd. I feel in 5 to 10 years I will be doing what I still love which is performing and commanding crowds. Also plan to develop young talent to be ready for this game.
CC) If you had to describe your music and fashion in one word what would it be and why?
DL) Matching. I wear clothing that matches me, and my music is the offspring of me.
CC) What distinguishes you from others rappers in the industry, such as Elji, Pitpull, Assassino, Lil Wayne and etc? What makes your music worth listening to?
DL) I just think I have tuned up my skills greatly and I can deliver songs that can become the soundtrack to your day. Assassino spits in Kriolo, Elji in French, Wayne is on drugs, and Pitbull is killing the Latin Miami scene. Those are some differences. Elji and Assassino are my boys and good dudes. I already got Assassino on CABO, hopefully we get Elji on it too
DL) I just think I have tuned up my skills greatly and I can deliver songs that can become the soundtrack to your day. Assassino spits in Kriolo, Elji in French, Wayne is on drugs, and Pitbull is killing the Latin Miami scene. Those are some differences. Elji and Assassino are my boys and good dudes. I already got Assassino on CABO, hopefully we get Elji on it too
CC) Your raps are lyrically genius how do you come up with your flow?
DL) I am still learning. Different songs get written certain ways. Some songs don’t get written down; some take me weeks to write. The flow is something I have been working on, it is a developmental thing. It’s getting better day by day.
CC) I know your new cd Rage is being worked on, when do we expect it to drop and who can we expect to see on the album?
DL) Rage has spawned off into two albums. When I started recording Rage, it was a heavily Rock influenced, real life, Hip hop album. So I got up with Assassino for what was supposed to be one kriolo track. Then I got up with Nelson (Nelson Freitas) and Nilton (Nilton Ramalho), who have been my boys for years, while they were out here for shows. So now I had 3 zouk tracks for a Hip Hop album, my team and I decided that wouldn’t work. So now I am releasing two albums this year. Rage! Which I will release under my company Street Smart Entertainment, and C.A.B.O which will be Co-Produced by Street Smart Entertainment and Lo Records. The albums are still in the works and like any piece of art it takes time to make a masterpiece, both are very near completion.
CC) You have worked with many people who has been your favorite?
DL) They all have an interesting story. They all create my body of work, so I’ll say the package of working with so many talented artists. Some underground type people, some very popular, the whole collective experience has been crazy. I get to keep making music with musicians and people still listen, God is good.
CC) If you could work with any artist who would it be and why?
DL) I would say Nas, he is my favorite. But I know I would win a Grammy for a D. Lopes feat Sade over a J. Beat.
CC) Some of your greatest songs have been “Bring It to Me” Ft. Nelson Freitas and Another Level ft Nilton Ramalho, so what great songs can we expect to see in the future and what are some of your favorite?
DL) I think my Hip Hop album has so many. The video for Criminal is out and is a song that every musician that hears it, gives me so much respect for and has been one of my favorites. I am so proud to do something different. That song is me. The future of my music is unknown, but I will say look out for the “Ninguem”, just released as well, plus the songs on Nilton Ramalho, G-Amado, Sterlin and a new group of CV rappers called the Alliance.
CC) You just got the opportunity to work with Marcia on the song "Ninguem", which features J. Beats, how was it working with Marcia?
DL) Working with Marcia was great. She is a very kind, talented young lady. We got along well, and it shows in the music. Sidenote, J. Beats is never a feature. LOL The songs and album go by D. Lopes and J. Beats. There is no D. Lopes with out that genius.
CC) Your video for the song “Don't Keep Me Waiting”, which is my favorite song, was never finished. Do you think you will ever finish it?
DL) The story behind that is hilarious. A lot of my early income from music went into the production of that video. To never receive a completed copy was a crippling blow on an early business man. There is a remix on the “CABO” album of that song. That song is probably my biggest song on the low. It has played all over the globe. Proud of that one.
CC) Not only are your songs epic, but your poetry is fantastic as well. The one on Amilcar Cabral was inspirational. What inspired you to write it?
DL) That is the first verse on this song I wrote. I wrote it because I was fed up that day with Cape Verdeans killing Cape Verdeans. I had just lost a friend out of Boston then I lost a friend out of Brockton. So I painted to the youth that Amilcar was assassinated because of what he did for our parents. So after all that he did, for us to be killing each other, he must be turning in his grave.
CC) Do you have any type of stage rituals you need to do before you perform?
DL) I just need to be in my zone, so I kind of hate when people talk to me before I go up. A boxer needs to come into the ring already in his zone. Besides that, I don’t need much.
CC) What advice would you give those that are trying to make it big in the music industry?
DL) Talent isn’t enough. It’s the music business; you need to be good at music and business.
CC) If you were given a chance to do anything you want or have whatever you wanted what would it be?
DL) I want to win a Grammy. To be recognized by the industry. Plus I want to buy J. Beats a BMW… We have and on going beef over cars, he’s a Mercedes man, I’m a Beemer boy!
CC) What are the artists and songs on your Ipod or computer right now?
DL) I like J. Cole, Nas & Damien, Kanye, TI, Nelson, but I mostly listen to music I am working on. Like Sterling in the US, G-Amado out of Portugal, Nilton out of Holland, Kriola Studio out of Luxembourg and my own music.
CC) If someone told you that you no longer could rap or perform what would you do or how would you feel?
DL) I would do it anyways. I have never been signed, so who can tell me not to make music. But the question is for how long will they listen. I love music so even if I make songs just to ride and bump to, I will be happy.
CC) Now you always look good in what you are wearing. Your style is very refreshing. Is there anything you would never be caught wearing?
DL) The Tom Brady’s...The men’s Uggz. Never! Actually, those things utterly disgust me for women too. Like a chic can be so dope, but if she got Uggz on, I lose attraction she becomes average.
DL) I would do it anyways. I have never been signed, so who can tell me not to make music. But the question is for how long will they listen. I love music so even if I make songs just to ride and bump to, I will be happy.
CC) Now you always look good in what you are wearing. Your style is very refreshing. Is there anything you would never be caught wearing?
DL) The Tom Brady’s...The men’s Uggz. Never! Actually, those things utterly disgust me for women too. Like a chic can be so dope, but if she got Uggz on, I lose attraction she becomes average.
CC) What stores are you shopping at and what brands or designers are you wearing?
DL) I’m all over the place now, I have someone shopping for me and keeping me fresh. Sometimes I got to veto things, but rarely. She got me looking the part.
DL) I’m all over the place now, I have someone shopping for me and keeping me fresh. Sometimes I got to veto things, but rarely. She got me looking the part.
CC) Casuna’s Connection also talks about health and how to live a healthy life. What are your daily workout or exercise regimens?
DL) I am in the gym quite routinely now. I lift and I do a lot of Circuit training. But Basketball is what really keeps me good. Great cardio helps my breathing on stage. I am learning to eat a lot better too. I am down a lot of weight.
CC) Just for those curious readers, what is the first thing you do in the morning when you get up?
DL) I am in the gym quite routinely now. I lift and I do a lot of Circuit training. But Basketball is what really keeps me good. Great cardio helps my breathing on stage. I am learning to eat a lot better too. I am down a lot of weight.
CC) Just for those curious readers, what is the first thing you do in the morning when you get up?
DL) Brush my teeth. You got to have good hygiene.
CC) Now you must know you have many female fans that adore you, and many want to know what your type is, and are you in fact single?
DL) Music is my girlfriend and she is my type.
To Buy or Listen to more of his work check out these....
"Criminal" from new album Rage ft. J. Beats
http://www.youtube.com/user/dlopes4867#p/u/6/VVKlJEERP38
"Ninguem" from new album ft Marcia and J. Beats
http://www.youtube.com/user/dlopes4867#p/u/7/VcoEiVCv8ck
"Concrete Intelligence Album Mix"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDEb4KNkWLU
"Another Level" ft. Nilton Ramalho and J. Beats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HiNIRjRx4A&feature=related
"Bring It To Me" ft Nelson Freitas and J. Beats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r6VNbD0bq4&feature=related
"She Shakes It" ft Assassino
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_DEI4WIFJE&feature=related
"Don't Keep Me Waiting" ft J. Beats
http://www.youtube.com/user/dlopes4867#p/u/2/NYFvAEI7r2Q
"Amilcar Cabral" Poem
http://www.youtube.com/user/dlopes4867#p/u/9/l8obsl7R9Ww
"Criminal" from new album Rage ft. J. Beats
http://www.youtube.com/user/dlopes4867#p/u/6/VVKlJEERP38
"Ninguem" from new album ft Marcia and J. Beats
http://www.youtube.com/user/dlopes4867#p/u/7/VcoEiVCv8ck
"Concrete Intelligence Album Mix"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDEb4KNkWLU
"Another Level" ft. Nilton Ramalho and J. Beats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HiNIRjRx4A&feature=related
"Bring It To Me" ft Nelson Freitas and J. Beats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r6VNbD0bq4&feature=related
"She Shakes It" ft Assassino
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_DEI4WIFJE&feature=related
"Don't Keep Me Waiting" ft J. Beats
http://www.youtube.com/user/dlopes4867#p/u/2/NYFvAEI7r2Q
"Amilcar Cabral" Poem
http://www.youtube.com/user/dlopes4867#p/u/9/l8obsl7R9Ww
Credits
Daniel Lopes aka D. Lopes
Wikipedia
Youtube
CDBaby.com
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© Casuna's Connection all rights reserved. Material on this site may not be used.
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CDBaby.com
Reverbnation.com
© Casuna's Connection all rights reserved. Material on this site may not be used.
Awesome Inc. template. Powered by Blogger
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