Dev Dapree
Florida by Maryland boss Dev Dapree; press photo courtesy of the artist.
Sooner than later, Dev Dapree could be a household name. Twisting up the hip hop game with rhythms, blues, bars & beats; the Florida by Maryland artist is following her own path that intersects re-imagined boom bap tropes with the hypnagogic post-modern production that couples the hypnagogic with the classic cadences that come complete with surface noise & all. The recent Smoke & Mirrors EP immediately grabbed our attention where Dapree delivered styles that defied definition or a particular sound that could be attributed to a specific region. Dev presents production from collaborator & creative coach/mentor DJ Whudditdew from Columbia, Maryland along with Tyler Ambrosius & Enrichment who create an illustrious and vast range of eclectic soundscapes for Dapree & guest vocalist Joan Monroe to say & sing epitomes of both real life struggles, conflicts & beauty.
Proudly presenting a debut listen to Dev Dapree’s fresh new single “Baby”, DJ Whudditdew provides a sparse but earnest & dramatic atmosphere that reinforces the realness of homesick blues displayed by swing & sway of the keys. Dapree provides a unique look at how the work life too often interferes with one’s love life that genuinely works toward seeking a solution to ratify both. The confident & dedicated delivery on the topic of commitments has Dev stating honest game on balancing the chase of the dollar while maintaining & nurturing the needs of significant others. The checks, balances, checkbooks & attention to intimacy are all examined according to each individual merit & purpose while ultimately emphasizing the importance of taking some time for a pause because “money come & go, baby.” In a recent conversation, Dev Dapree shared the following exclusive introduction to her new single “Baby”:
I was lucky to meet Martin [DJ Whudditdew] in 2011. Crazy thing is he found me and I still to this day have no idea of how. He called me and said he loved my music and that he had some great production for me. The first day I heard his work we connected. I love soul and he love soul so the beats he was bringing to me just hit me in the heart and I knew I was meant to meet him. He taught me how to fully use my love of soul to blend with hip hop in a way where the integrity of the music is there. He taught me how to truly study my craft and those before me to understand how to build today.
He sent be the beat for “Baby” bout a year ago and it was like a lullaby to me. When I heard it the beginning gave me the feeling of the old soul tracks in the 60s/70s just more upbeat but I saw guys singing and crooning when closing my eyes. Hooks are always the easiest thing for me. I heard the beat and started singing I don’t want to go baby… and it carried on from there. I heard it like a lullaby, like an old church two-stepping to it, if that makes sense.
The definitive Dev Dapree; press photo courtesy of the artist.
We had the chance to delve even deeper with Dev about her new works, with insights on the forthcoming follow-up to her Smoke & Mirrors EP in the following interview:
With attachments to Florida and Maryland, how have you found your environments & experiences from both locales have shaped your perception of music?
I’m from St.Petersburg in Florida and they love soul growing up. You listen to a lot of down south artist and that slow ride music. Thats when I remember growing up in church the most and hearing those old southern folks. When I moved to DC in 1999 everything was faster. The city was hustle and grind, not that the south wasn’t, but that you can hear it. Hear it in their tones of voices and see it when they moved. I moved around to prince georges county (Capitol Heights, Maryland) and late 2010 Baltimore. Gogo was the thing I fell in love with when I moved from Florida. It sounded like HipHop at church. There was singers who sounded like gospel singers with their deep vibrato and instruments everywhere. That transformed my soulful style, mixed that slow sound with some hardcore east coast beats. Its truly the reason behind my love of HipHop-Soul.
What do people need to know about both Maryland & Florida that they don’t hear about via the national & international media cycles?
When you see Florida or hear about it you just hear about Miami or that old people love to go there. Florida loves its people, there is like another different universe in their diverse communities and in their black neighborhoods. The southern hospitality is vibrant and has made my character what it is. The DMV, DC/Maryland is just a small New York to me. Its a grind , its chocolate city, there is so much culture here. So much pride here. The struggle can be seen but so can the success. DC has so much talent thats just waiting to be heard.
There is a real time-warp type of timelessness that abounds on the Smoke & Mirrors EP, where the classic throwback of the boom-bap and even further beyond that is mixed with this hypnotic ghost trap approach. How was this sort of time tripping effect done?
Honestly that’s just my sound. That’s what my ear clings too. When I choose beats I go by what makes me feel, if I, don’t feel it automatically its not for me. I love production that makes you feel. I need the bass to hit your heart, I need strings, piano chords live drums. I found what related to my soul. When everything you spit is real life its easier to portray when the production matches.
What can you tell us about the follow up to Smoke & Mirrors EP?
We working, we working, we working [laughs]! I’m actually in the process of working on the next EP, in the meantime releasing songs here and there while studying my craft more. Trying to learn more ways to get it heard and network with creatives. The next one is a complete transformation. I felt like Smoke & Mirrors was me turning the page and opening up doors for me to be more open minded.
We all know you love the classic hip hop & r & b heroes, but what are some current artists & acts that have your full attention right now?
I love Medasin & Masego, Jill Scott, Erykah still in the game killing. J.Cole, Bas, Kendrick Lamar, Oddisee, Kanye & BJ the Chicago Kid. I try to listen to a little of everything but find myself resorting back to the legends.
Listen to more from Dev Dapree via Soundcloud.
