Lisa Dee

There is more to Ireland than Guinness and shamrocks. Lisa Dees music is like a breath of fresh air in the world of Hip Hop.

Lisa Doyle (Dee), born in Dublin, developed a passion for music at a very young age. Lisa's love for Hip Hop began in the early 90s as she quickly became addicted to rap show Yo MTV Raps. I remember staying up late on a school night to watch Yo MTV Raps and thinking I want to do that one day.

Lisa began practising her songwriting skills while still on the school benches. I loved poetry at school, so I guess that is where my interest in rapping came from, she confesses. Shortly after, Lisa helped form a rap group called Back 2 Basix. On stage we wore our jeans backwards like Kris Kross, a lot of kids thought we were strange because dance music was the craze at the time not Hip Hop.

In 1999 Lisas collaboration with producer Glen Brady led to the formation of the Hip Hop act Third Eye Surfers. Their album Filthy Folklore, released in 2001, was recorded in Glens studio on the Southside of Dublin.

Rapidly getting recognition on the Irish Hip Hop scene and being labelled as the hottest new thing, Third Eye Surfers followed their album success with a 12 vinyl Third Eye Mindstate, which landed them a Best Newcomer Award at the Smirnoff Dance Awards in the Temple Theatre, Dublin. Lisa Dees day was made even more special by an unexpected visit: I remember the Edge from U2 sitting in the front row, while we performed, that made me nervous as I love U2!

Touring all around Ireland, Third Eye Surfers began to build a solid fan base, supporting such big names as Public Enemy, Jurassic 5, Pharcyde and Sugarhill Gang. But the band called it a day in 2002. Looking for a fresh new start Lisa moved to New York. She continued to work with Glen Brady and also landed a support slot for Grandmaster Flash.

Back in Dublin Lisa set up a live act, consisting of herself, scratch DJ Nifty Fingaz and the trumpet player Robert Arkins (the star of the 1990s film The Commitments). Together, they supported Princess Superstar, So Solid Crew and Blackalicous.

These days Lisa lives in London. At the moment Lisa is busy working with UK producers Nutty P and Drew Beats on hot new material, which is due for release in 2007.

Since Lisa’s arrival to the UK she has performed with her full live band at many reputable nights such as, YoYo @ Notting Hill, Plan B – Brixton, Pure Social @ Islington Carling Academy, DEAL REAL - Carnaby Street, In Session @ The Buffalo Bar – Islington, Offline @ Brixton JAMM and with many more to follow for 2007, see gig listings below.

So watch this space!