D.R.Universal
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | SELF
Music
Press
What's the meaning behind the band's name?
D.R.Universal is an acronym that is not short for doctor. It has over 50 different combinations such as: Dark & Raw, Damaging Radios & Deeply Rooted, just to name a few. Universal is also an acronym meaning: Uniting Nations In Verses Explaining Religion Sex And Lies.
How did you get started with all this??
I started as part of a group back in Buffalo, NY in the late 90s. After the group broke up and I moved to Charlotte, I started my solo career about 5 years ago.
What's the message to transmit with your music??
Positivity, fun and thought provoking, plain and simple.
What's your method at the time of writing a song??
It depends really, sometimes I hear the beat in a session then know exactly what I want to do with it when I get home. Then other times I just play beats and let it hit while I'm trying to write. I would say more often than not I usually sit down and create a song to a beat that I have chosen for a reason.
Who are your music influences??
Common, Redman, Nas, Rakim, Run DMC, Phill Collins, KRS-1
What plans do you guys have for the future??
In the short term, I just completed my second album which will be out in late November.Then I plan to tour the southeast on a promotional tour after the new year. Long term goal is just to live of making the type of music that I want to make. I don't want to have to conform to the point where I have lost myself in the music. I always want to give as much of me as possible to my listeners. If I can build a steady following that will allow me to travel across the U.S. and even Europe, then I would be very content with that. I'm not talking about mainstream sales either.
What has been the greatest day in the band?
So far my greatest day was at the 2008 Queen City Music Awards which is the biggest awards show in in NC and SC. I won the award for the Most Improved Artist and performed that night as well. The event as filled with local celebrities and anyone involved in entertainment in the Carolinas.
What has been the funniest prank you guys have been or took part while on tour or after a show??
When I was with the group back in Buffalo we went on a semi-tour across New York State. We stopped at a coffee shop in Ithaca after a radio appearance and and one of my group members said something bad about the university on the air. During the next segment the 3 of us were encouraged the students to call to the station and yell at our other member. He was so mad at us for that, but the dj loved it, he thought it was funny too!
What are your hobbies?
Promoting my music online..LOL. Besides that I like to watch football and basketball on tv. And UFC if I can catch it. But really I'm too busy for much else, no such thing as "free" time when you're and indie artist on the grind. (IMO)
What country you guys would love to play?
AMSTERDAM! Nuff said
With what bands you guys would love to share stage??
The Roots! No Question!
Are you guys OK, with the direction you're going so far?
Yes I am very pleased with the path that I am on right now. Sometimes it does get frustrating when things don't progress as quickly as we would want them to sometimes but its the passion for my craft that keeps me working harder each day!
- Vents Magazine
Remember way back when hip-hop music was just as concerned with substance as it was with style? DR Universal (www.myspace.com/ tg29) does and his debut album Universally Yours gives listeners a solid sampling of what this Greensboro-via-Buffalo rapper is capable. The album kicks off with "Next Up," which loops a sleepy '50s doo-wop riff with DR's unwavering vocal delivery. The track's chorus "Ask yourself who's the next up-and-comer/ Workin' hard like runnin' steps in the summer" stand out as the best characterization of DR's approach to songwriting for the entire album. "D. Original" continues the theme of his quest for self-improvement, this time with an up-tempo funk guitar hook and thumping bass beat. "Razor Cleats" features guest vocalist Contrast and plays like a theme song to an NFL all-time highlight reel, with nods to greats Earl Campbell and Dan Marino. The signature track of Universally Yours is undoubtedly the feel-good "I Remember When," a slick meditation on the Golden Era of hip hop and the events in his life that accompanied it. The album gets a club-friendly makeover, starting with contributions by DJ Ice on "We Rep," before taking a turn to a moodier, Scarface-esque tone on "U Can Have It" and "Savage Doctor." The lighthearted yet serious nature that marked the first half of the album returns on "DR Iz," which is really a bonus track containing a hidden track. If you can wrap your mind around that. The only knock against the album is that it is thematically repetitive, as DR goes to the superior-to-allother-rappers well one too many times. Considering how many other MCs have made a career on that narrative, I'll give him a pass for a very solid debut effort. - Ryan Snyder - YES! Weekly
Discography
D.R.Universal: Da Return Pt. 1 (mixtape) - 2007
Universally Yours... (album) - 2008
Bamboozled the Mixtape - 2009
Universal Grind Mixtape - 2009
*Internet radio play on:
-Shadesradio.com
-Uglyradio.net
-Indieliferadio.com
-Propjoeradio.com
-Bananapeelradio.com
-Jangoradio.com
-Underworldmixradio.com
-Brandknewradio.com
-Charlotteindiradio.com
-Tha-G-Spot-Radio.com
-Shady Boy Radio Show
Photos
Bio
The name D.R. Universal has many meanings just like this artist/executive has many styles. D.R. is an acronym that is not short for doctor. It has over 50 different combinations such as: Dark & Raw, Deeply Rooted, Distinguished Rebel and Dutch Roller just to name a few. Universal is also an acronym for Uniting Nations In Verses Explaining Religion Sex and Lies. So as you can see, this 32-year old Buffalo, New York native has more depth than the average rapper. Growing up admiring artists like Tribe Called Quest, Common, N.W.A, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G. Rap, Special Ed, Big L, Run DMC, De La Soul, Boot Camp Clik, Nas, Redman, Mos Def, Wu-Tang Clan and the Lox, he developed a conscious mind to counter his street mentality.
In 1999 he joined an upstart indie record label in Buffalo named Genus Records and it was with Genus where he recorded songs that were featured on several local mixtapes and performed at over a dozen shows whether it was as a solo artist, with his group or even as the host. He also made appearances on many college radio stations from Buffalo to Rochester, Syracuse to Ithaca, creating a major buzz in the upstate New York region. Since moving to Charlotte in 2002, D.R. Universal has continued to pursue his musical interests by forming a partnership with long time friend, Kevan and forming No Question Entertainment. He also serves as President of No Question Music Group (NQMG) but is able to balance his own interests as an artist versus those of the label, mainly because of his strong CEO (Kevan). Being no stranger to the mic and the stage you may have seen him perform live anywhere in the Carolinas from Charlotte to Raleigh and Greensboro. His stage credits include shows at The Queen City Music Awards, Club Prevue, The Jarrell Affair, The Graduate, Evening Muse and Skandalos just to name a few. Under the NQMG label D.R. Universal has been featured on several projects including his debut album entitled: “Universally Yours..” The album features the lead single I Remember When which is already being said by many to be an instant underground classic. This hard working artist has also released two mixtapes (Bamboozled & Universal Grind) since dropping the album in 2008.
Some may think that being an executive means you lack the skill or ability to hold your own as an artist but D.R. Universal is quick to respond with lyrics like, ‘My moms say I’m extra blessed/ chics say I’m fresh to def/ but I trust no one in the game man, I even suspect the ref.’ His use of metaphors and similes, along with hidden punch lines are designed to give the listener something new to hear each time you play his tracks. The Captain of No Question Music Group is definitely poised to show the world that lyricism and skill are still important traits of a true mc. One might say that this artist/label executive has his hands in too many areas but he fuels himself on proving others wrong and striving to be the best at what he does. Not often are you going to find a conscious artist that can get grimy with the gangsters and still keep the same skill level. This versatility is what allows him to be on both sides of the label and not forget his priorities. His future as an artist is very bright but with his vision for No Question Music Group as a whole, I am sure that he will be satisfied with the wide spread growth of his label. To date, this hard working artist has helped his label sell a modest 69,000 units across the southeast. So if his lyrical talent is any indication of his leadership skills, there is little doubt that NQMG will be a success.
**You can purchase the debut album: Universally Yours...for only $5 at these fine retail and online locations:
Manifest Discs & The Hot Spot Charlotte, NC
~ITUNES, Amazon,Rhapsody,Napster
~www.noquestent.com
~www.myspace.com/tg29
~www.cdbaby.com/cd/druniversal
***You can get more information on D.R.Universal on the following sites:
www.myspace.com/armageddon10
www.reverbnation.com/druniversal
www.soundclick.com/armageddon10
www.unsigned.com/druniversal
www.youtube.com/noquestionmusic
www.facebook.com/D.R.Universal
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