D.Julien
New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Music
Press
It’s important to note that there is no fist pumping anywhere in here. There is no high-pitched voice on the hook, and there are no classical operatic interludes midway through the song. If you wanted to hear the lead singer from Paramore or an up and coming equivalent on the chorus, this is not for you. This project is a straight up, no bones about it Hip Hop album. Period. And that’s a brave thing to do, because it takes the spotlight off the producers and engineers making the beats (which I also really like overall, by the way) and puts the focus on the rapper and his strengths/weaknesses as an artist. Normally, with my short attention span, I would say something like that would become monotonous after a while. But in this case, D. Julien’s lyricism is strong enough to stand up to the task, so it actually works really well. - Kimberely Baxter
This is my first official review or breakdown, whatever you want to call it…just know I’m doing this because the project is that inspiring. D. Julien has heavy production from Buzz, King I Divine, Kyle Justice, Clyde Strokes, Selasse, Chris Lewis, Jimba Frosty & Bahama Beats with two features from Young Scolla & Tolu. When D. says this project is “200% me”, I find it to be an understatement. The project themes around progression to tomorrow as he shares real experiences, memories, relationships, etc… D. Julien gets very personal on this project, with every track serving a different purpose/message. I’m not going to rate this, because it is too great for any rating… I’m just breaking down the tracks to share it with you in efforts that you download/listen, if you haven’t already. - Vick Slate
D. Julien’s Ready for Tomorrow is not crunk like Self-Made Vol. I. But it’s not conscious like We Are LASERS, either. Instead, D. Julien arguably channels Drake on So Far Gone, carrying over that same hunger to achieve his dreams and skill at telling a great, honest story (minus the rhymes on the lavish lifestyle). This mixtape could be better, but it excels in showing D. Julien’s potential and versatility. He speaks real life that anyone can relate to, and for that reason, I’m equally anticipating D. Julien’s tomorrow myself. - Bradford J. Howard
D. Julien’s Ready for Tomorrow is not crunk like Self-Made Vol. I. But it’s not conscious like We Are LASERS, either. Instead, D. Julien arguably channels Drake on So Far Gone, carrying over that same hunger to achieve his dreams and skill at telling a great, honest story (minus the rhymes on the lavish lifestyle). This mixtape could be better, but it excels in showing D. Julien’s potential and versatility. He speaks real life that anyone can relate to, and for that reason, I’m equally anticipating D. Julien’s tomorrow myself. - Bradford J. Howard
My immediate impressions were that he encompassed the common term of “grinding” – consistently working hard to produce a quality sound that his listeners could appreciate and savor. That innate focus and immeasurable determination kept him searching for the perfect sound for his latest release, “Ready for Tomorrow.” The album, available on his webpage, is a testament to his growth and maturity as an artist and his penchant for finding the best lyrics to serve his thundering beats. - XI Magazine
With his latest full-length just a few weeks from release, D. Julien has stepped into the Booth to amp up anticipation with a quality cut that didn’t make the cut. Backed by the bittersweet grooves of producer Clyde Strokes, album outtake World sees the Big Apple repper revisiting a few past regrets before fixing his gaze on the hustle that lies ahead. Digging the freestyle series alum‘s latest effort? Then don’t miss the rest of the freshness Julien is set to display on new album Ready for Tomorrow, scheduled to drop May 31. - DJBooth.Net
D. Julien‘s The Mirror gets the remix/single treatment on the newly-released Pt. 2. Over the pensive, boardwork of Bahama Beats, the NYC native (and freestyle series alum) is joined by Motown repper (and fellow freestyle alum) Young Scolla. Released May 31, D. Julien’s Ready for Tomorrow LP is available now online. - DJBooth.Net
Discography
"The Experiment"(EP) Released February 18, 2009
"Live, Love, Learn"(EP) Released July 1, 2009
"Ready For Tomorrow"(LP) Released May 31, 2011
Photos
Bio
“The 20-Year Old Brooklyn MC does a great job putting his lifelines between the paper’s lines. Trust me keep an eye out for this kid, he’s gonna be a problem.” – XXL Magazine
Can you imagine the artist whose goal is to capture a demographic ranging from the Post-Tweens to the Thirty-Somethings of Urban Music, so will rethink the idea of musical content? An artist who explores a range of music as vast as Big L, Nas and T.I. to Kings of Leon and Coldplay because of their lyricism? Or even an artist whose dream collaborations would include Kanye West and Pharrell…but only for their production and NOT for their verses? This artist does, in fact, exist…meet D. Julien.
D. Julien’s past is as critical to understanding his artistry as his present and future. Ask Julien, he’ll tell you he started rhyming at 10 years old; but his close friends will tell you that age was actually 7. The first album he listened to was a CD by Notorious B.I.G. entitled “Ready to Die”. It was that moment when Julien stumbled across the artistic medium of expression he had been seeking. For this Flatbush-bred Brooklynite, influences like B.I.G. and Jay-Z were “local artists that I didn’t see as global” because they were from his borough. With a father who was a DJ, Julien learned at a young age the importance of lyricists like Jadakiss, Nas, and Big L because “these were the artists my pops had laying around: lyrical dudes who told stories” and who were tangible to this youngster because of his locale. By age 13, he’d be cutting his teeth as a battle rapper, gaining confidence with each victory. And by 16, Julien would leave the battle circuit to embark on the journey of structuring songs and “making music.”
D. Julien’s first mixtape, “Let Me Introduce Myself” taught him valuable lessons about his vision and longevity in the music industry: “I always wanted to make music my parents could enjoy and be proud of. So my content is different cuz I’m trying to reach a different demographic.” Peruse any D. Julien mp3 after that, and you’ll find songs absent of profanity and racially-charged terms; ask Julien, and he’ll tell you that choice “enhances my situation more than hindering me. Kanye opened the lane to really be yourself for real, as opposed to being a character. That opens it up for me cuz the music becomes more personal. I’m trying to express emotions to help people connect with my content, cuz emotions are genuine.” Jettisoning the trends of popular radio and commercial-friendly raps, Julien’s second mixtape, “The Experiment” did just that: explored the idea of connecting with emotional content as opposed to the latest fads in popular hip-hop culture. Julien would utilize the catalog of artists that were pushing the envelope in the genre and taking musical risks, study artists who he considered his market competition and would heed the counsel of hip-hop veterans such as Jaz-O to complete his third and most critically acclaimed mixtape, “Live, Love, Learn.” From there, Julien found himself celebrated as Myspace Music Artist of the Week, performing in Ohio to sold-out venues and receiving praise from XXL magazine as well as Nahright, 2dopeboyz, GlobalGrind, AllHipHop and the rest of the usual suspects in the major hip-hop blogspot world.
At the young age of 20, D. Julien understands the potential opportunities he has to branch out within various facets of the entertainment industry. But with major label interest for well over a year based on his self-made buzz, musical prowess, lyricism, artistry and unorthodox content choices, Julien’s focus remains the same: expression and honesty through his music. “I’ma continue to do what I’m doin and make music I believe in. I’ll be one of the top artists in this genre. But right now I’m trying to transition from the underground to the next level…”
A young musical scholar who is a student of the past, using the classics to inform his present. The recipe for the futuristic science of spit…meet the future of hip-hop: D. Julien.
Links
