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8/17/2009   Dee, why should fans be checking for you?  Honestly because I feel like I kind of have something to offer. Everybody has their own perspective on music and life and I feel like I try a little bit harder than a lot of dudes out there right now and it shows in my music. I feel like I’m going to bring a little effort and passion back to the music.  When did you start taking music seriously?  I would probably say about four or five years ago, when I learned that my baby mother was pregnant. It’s been a hobby for nine years now, but when I found out that I had a kid on the way, life sort of kicked into high gear and I realized that I had to do something and it became the best thing to get me out of everything.  You work with up-and-coming producers Lokken Load. How did you get started with them?  I was working with Warlokk’s brother. We were close for a long time and one day he introduced me to his brother and then it came into a music relationship and it just kind of kicked off. They got some good music, good fans, yada yada yada, we help each other out.  What about their production style brings out the best in you?  I don’t know. They’re incredibly diverse. I’ve heard some crazy sample flips and some real beat melodies. As an artist I don’t try to conform to one part of music. I try to get out there on all different levels. I hear beats and they touch something different in me. They got something for everybody.  What have you done with Lokken Load so far?  We’ve done a good amount of songs. We’ve probably done 20-30 songs and multiple mixtapes. One of the records that we’ve done has been played in local clubs and I’ve been on a local radio station.  Are you working on your debut album?   It’s more like a mixtape album, I guess you could say. Lokken Load’s been doing a lot of the production and I’m hoping to get a music video done that they have produced. They’ve been there for every aspect of my career.  How can an unsigned artist make connections in the game?  It kind of kicks off through people I already know. With other artists, I can hit Warlokk and I guess I have that sound and Lokken Load has what I look for and I look for that in other producers. It’s kind of hard but I try to keep my own sound.  How involved are you in working with other Jersey artists?  Actually, right now I’m trying to get an all New Jersey mixtape together. There have been times when I have tried to put together an all New Jersey song. I worked with A.P. I have spoken to Hitchcock and Ransom and Lady Luck and Serius Jones. I’ve spoken to a lot of New Jersey artists about working together.  Is it hard making those collabs happen?  Yes, it’s very hard. A lot of artists out there, they have that Hollywood persona. They feel like, ‘Oh, I don’t know him’ so they don’t lend out a hand. I try to reach out a hand but a lot of times my hand is cut off.  What do you think you have to do to get artists to take you more seriously?  I don’t know, man. A lot of times I’m lenient, like, ‘Get it done when you can’ but deep down I want him to get it done as fast as possible because I want to get it out as soon as possible. I feel like I have to offer them something, like a little incentive. I don’t know. It’s hard to say.  How far along are you on the street album?  I’m about 11 songs in but every time I come with a new song I feel like I have to get rid of one. It’s kind of like a back and forth game. I just kind of have to get a solid amount of songs together.  What kind of potential do you think you have?  I think my potential is really unlimited. I think I have the dedication and I’m one of the best people. I can pretty much dedicate myself to anything if I’m interested in it and music’s been a part of my life ever since I can remember, basically. It’s something I’m never going to stop, regardless. I’m just going to keep trying to perfect my craft. I guess when it comes to potential it’s unlimited.  How important is the internet to you today?  The internet is a huge tool. The ringtone rappers use it and I don’t do that but I can make my own ringtones and sell it online. Promotion is a huge tool and I can sell songs on MySpace. It’s a huge thing. Basically the internet is the biggest thing out. It’s incredibly helpful. You can poli with artists and new producers and whatever. There are also people who work with me that are into radio stations and whatever. I think the internet is the biggest tool I can use right now.  What’s the next move for Dee Murdock?  I’m just going to keep doing music and I don’t know, up my name. Right now I’m really trying to get in with a lot of artists. I’ve been talking with A.P. We have a new song on the way. I’ve been trying to get at Joe Budden. He’s an asshole though. Mostly New Jersey artists I’ve been working with lately. I should have something with Bizzy Bone soon. I’m basically trying to get everything started.  You were pretty subtle in dropping the “asshole” bomb. What happened?  (laughs) He’s a cool dude from what I’ve heard. I know a lot of people who know him personally, but from what I understand, he’s very, very, very arrogant. And when you’re an artist and you’re trying to work with somebody and they don’t show you any interest, it kind of gets to you a little bit. We spoke a couple of times but you could tell…I’m not going to say he’s an asshole but he’s very arrogant and he’s about his business, which is understandable. But when somebody’s trying to reach out, you shouldn’t cut their hand off with no concern. But he’s an asshole a little bit. He’s a cool dude, I mean, I wish him the best and he’s really talented with music. It’s just, I don’t know, he needs to come back down to earth a little bit.

By Brian Kayser

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