Twice as real
Mainstream hip-hop music took a detour from its roots into the money-making arena of Hollywood demands.
Hip-hop used to be about the message in the music. It wasn’t about making money. It was about spreading truth.
Local hip-hop artist, Lee Morehead, also known as L Dubble, is on a lyrical mission to put passion and truth back into hip-hop music.
He said the lyrics in his songs tell people a story about things he’s been through. He wants to make music that relates to the real-life struggles his listeners deal with on a daily basis. He said that he will not be a “bubblegum” hip-hop artist.
“Kids love bubble gum until the flavor runs out and then they spit it out for another piece,” L Dubble said.
He admires the artists with longevity and hopes to have that quality attached to his name one day. However, he knows that making a name for himself in Reno might be difficult.
“Reno doesn’t support underground music or hip-hop in general,” he said.
L Dubble has the advantage of being surrounded by music through the years. He started rapping at 13. His parents exposed him to a variety of music.
“My dad was a DJ when I was a kid and that’s how I got into hip-hop,” L Dubble said. “My mom liked to play jazz and country, so I’m a well-rounded artist.”
He said he’s had a lot of practice to perfect his craft. He’s made four mix tapes and passed some of them out to students at the University of Nevada, Reno. He plans to release his first album in mid-November.
His album “Time Moves” holds songs that convey messages from his heart about struggles, he said. Most people will despise music that holds truth, and 80 percent of people will listen to the beat before they listen to the words in a song, he said.
“I just want people to hear it (the CD) and appreciate it for what it is,” L Dubble said.
“I’m gonna do music until the day I die no matter if I don’t make a dime.”
His love for music filters into every aspect of his life. He works at the Boys and Girls Club and wants to be a positive role model for young people. He said that he sees how music influences the young crowd.
Mainstream hip-hop teaches kids that if people have big shiny metal medallions hanging from their necks, jeans hanging below their waists and lots of girls, that’s what hip-hop is about, he said. He wants his listeners to know that’s not true.
Danielle Gonzalez can be reached at editor@nevadasagebrush.com.
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on Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 at 12:00 am and is filed under Arts & Entertainment, InsideReno.
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October 30th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Hey Lee,
This is mom #2 the Irish one.
I am so proud of you and keep doing what you are doing and if you ever run out of rhymes you know I can pass on a few to you. :o)
Love you,
Margaret (2nd mom)