Young D.R.U. the Microphone Misfit
Palm Harbor, Florida, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Believe it or not, the hip-hop generation gap is real. Talk to those who were old enough to remember when Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” first received radio airplay and you might get an hour-long dissertation regarding the present state of rap music. Things have gotten to the point where some elder B-Boys and B-Girls give a perpetual side-eye to any rapper whose name starts off with “Lil” or “Young.” By that rationale, Young D.R.U. is at a disadvantage, but his rhymes clearly inhabit wisdom beyond his years. A member of The Microphone Misfits, D.R.U. represents that studious cat in the cipher that others overlook while he’s busy working on his craft, soaking up the clever wordplay and improvisational flows of legendary emcees that came before him. Over dreamy production provided by Jae Illestrate, his self-titled selection unpacks the meaning of his name: “Diverse Rhymes Universal, with or without rehearsal / putting negative thoughts in reversal.”
“Too Sexy for the Gun” emphasizes verbal ammunition over pulling triggers as D.R.U. lyrically two-steps his way over an up-tempo shuffle, displaying an overabundance of charisma on the microphone. However, for all of his talent, even he recognizes that responsibilities come before rhymes, and he addresses that fact early on in the album. “Heart Away” is strikingly honest in its portrayal of work/life balance rarely favoring the artist and the soulful sonic tapestry that wraps around his words pushes those sentiments to great heights. D.R.U. doesn’t spit lines for the sake of catching wreck (although he could if the mood struck him). He clearly has a knack for storytelling, as can be heard on “How Did I End Up In Her Apartment??” As the plot takes shape, the mood quickly moves from humor to intrigue, drawing the listener deeper into his dilemma. The poignant narratives continue on “Haunted Footsteps,” as Jae Illestrate’s reverse rolls and sped-up vocal samples serve as a disorienting introduction to a familiar urban plight. Young D.R.U. handles his verses with care, running down the story of a good kid making bad decisions and how the sins of an absent father came home to visit the child.
Turning his focus to love lost, “Babye, Mabye” captures D.R.U. replaying a relationship in his mind, trying to figure out where it all went wrong over Jae’s symphonic and soulful beats. The instrumental alone can tug at your heartstrings. “Can We Go???” focuses more on the chase with our microphone misfit dropping sweet nothings with each verse and even singing the hook (quite well, mind you). Meanwhile, his bragging prerequisite is fulfilled with “I’m Everything” and “I Am Music,” but these aren’t the typical ego trips found on most rap albums. “I’m Everything” can only be described as a verbal diorama comprised entirely of metaphors, taking the act of personification and pushing it as far as it can go. “I Am Music” continues this exercise over gorgeous jazz-infused production with D.R.U. referencing various musical acts with the speed of a radio dial in seek mode. Where else can you hear lyrical nods to Jay-Z, Macy Gray, Madonna, and Taylor Swift worked into the same verse?
Save for some occasional assists from crew member D-Nick, D.R.U. is more than capable of holding down P.U.S.H. or P.U.L.L. on his own. His words over Jae Illestrate’s beats are a match made in heaven, a new school rendering of old school tradition that will turn the heads of jaded fans and make them hang on to every word. The sitar and tablas-laden “Utopia” could be considered the album’s manifesto, defiantly declaring hip-hop “D.E.A.D. – Done Exaggerating And Delivering wackness.” Dropping knowledge for all to catch, the rap game is in good hands with Young D.R.U. on the scene. - Jason Randall Smith of Ariel Publicity
Discography
P.U.S.H. or P.U.L.L. (upcoming album release)
"Too Sexy for the Gun" (First single for the album- P.U.S.H. or P.U.L.L.)
"Can We Go??" (Second single for the album- P.U.S.H. or P.U.L.L.)
Photos
Bio
Young:
Born Andrew Stephen St.Clair Walrond, his name set the pace for his life: always leave a strong impression. Born and raised in Roosevelt, New York as a 1st generation American to a father from Barbados and a mother from Antigua, a solid work ethic was always displayed and a respect of people with a focus on unity was shown at work, home and church.
Watching his father be a Corporate exec for Xerox in downtown Manhattan for several years showed him class, style effective communication as well as how to be humble and driven when blessed with great opportunites. From seeing his father in action he learned how to have a meticulous mind, how to challenge people to be better and that there’s a “science” to everything as his father always mentioned.
Experiencing the love and nurturing of his mother taught him the value of working hard consistently and having concern for others. The avid cook and interior decorator, being around his mother he learned her creativity, resourcefulness and sense of humor. Seeing his mother at work as a Medical Technician to 4 well respected Doctors in Long Island taught him that learning many skills as well as being respectful of yourself and others will launch you miles ahead of the competion and breed a sense of love and admiration towards you as a professional.
D= Diverse
Andrew got his start as an actor within school with a lead role in the sound of music in Kindergarten. His teacher noticed while watching the previous lead fumble through the words that he already knew all the lines without ever seeing the script. It was this energy at and flair for performance that got him fixed on entertainment.
His love of entertaining people progressed to see him become a fairly talented saxophone player, early singer and keeping true to his beginnings a good actor.
R= Rhymes
In the 6th grade, from the encouraging of his teacher, Andrew got started in writing primarily for a contest that was going on. The poem he wrote (because of being in detention) was good enough that he was placed in a poem book for Bright young Poets in New York and that fueled the writing bug.
As a way to freestyle battle in high school, he wrote lyrics which himself and friends exchanged between periods as just a fun thing to do. Once he went off to college, Dru started to freestyle at a barbque with eventual partner in rhyme, D-Nick the Microphone Misfit. The onlookers noticed a specific style and synchronization of the two guys freestyling that were at that junction friends for just days that further unified their bond and strengthened their focus on rhymes as the group dubbed by D-nick to be “The Microphone Misfits.” Being the “youngest” of the group Dru easily identified himself as Young Dru. His diversity in lyricism, clever coached rhyme scheme and genuine nature with people of all walks provided D-Nick the insight to change it to Young D.R.U. (Diverse Rhymes Universal).
U=Universal
On the microphone, D.R.U. doesn’t just strive to reach his loyal fans or pull subject matter from just people that some people would be comfortable with but from everyone and everywhere. From tracks like “Too sexy 4 the gun” or “Heart away” he easily displays his life and struggles to being cool and witty, he can also take a note from The Ruler Slick Rick and give you a great dramatization in rhymes with “How did I end up in Her Apartment??” or get back in touch with his poetic beginnings with “Look, leave and Learn.” He writes, thinks, lives and construct music to make the Universe realize he hears you and is sure to blow you away with more features in Jae Illestrate’s Art of Facts volumes as well as his highly-anticipated freshman release, “P.U.S.H. or P.U.L.L.”
You know the name, you know the story now enjoy the music! SCOOOOO!!!
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