Dee-1 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dee-1
|
|
|---|---|
Dee-1 performing at Jazz Fest
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | David Arnold Augustine Jr. |
| Born | April 10, 1985 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres |
|
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels |
|
| Associated acts |
|
David Arnold Augustine Jr. (born April 10, 1985), who is known by his stage name Dee-1, is an American rapper, author, and activist from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also an educator, which means he has worked as a teacher and public speaker.
His 2010 song, "Jay, 50, and Weezy," became very popular. This success helped him get a recording contract with the label RCA Inspiration. In 2019, he decided to leave the label to become an independent artist.
Dee-1 is also known for his work in education and his community. In 2021, Louisiana's governor, John Bel Edwards, asked him to lead a special group to help young Black men and boys succeed. He has also been a hip-hop fellow at Harvard University and teaches a course at Tufts University about how hip-hop can create positive social change.
For his work, Dee-1 has won an NAACP Power of Influence Award. He was also nominated for an Emmy Award for hosting a TV show called The Manhattan Project.
Contents
Life and Career
Growing Up in New Orleans
Dee-1 grew up in New Orleans East. He went to Audubon Montessori School and later Ben Franklin High School. In high school, he was a star basketball player and was even chosen as homecoming king during his senior year.
How His Music Career Started
Dee-1 started rapping when he was a student at LSU. After he graduated in 2008, he became a middle school math teacher in Baton Rouge. While teaching, he also released three mixtapes, which are like unofficial albums.
His music started getting attention from news outlets like CNN and The Washington Post'. After teaching for two years, he decided to leave his job to focus completely on his music.
Gaining Popularity
In 2010, Dee-1 released a song and music video called "Jay, 50, & Weezy." The song got national attention because it had a strong, positive message. It was bold of him to talk about three of the biggest rappers in the music world.
That same year, he released a mixtape called I Hope They Hear Me Vol. 2. One of the most popular songs on it was a team-up with famous producer Mannie Fresh.
Dee-1 began touring with many well-known artists. He performed with rappers like Macklemore, Murs, and Lecrae. He also became good friends with the Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco while on tour with him.
Signing a Record Deal
In 2013, Dee-1 signed a contract with the record label RCA Inspiration. He released an EP (a short album) called 3s Up. The title came from his personal motto: "Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant." The EP was very successful and reached No. 9 on Billboard's Top Rap Albums chart.
One of his most famous songs, "Sallie Mae Back," came out in 2016. The song was a fun celebration of him paying off all his student loans from college. He used money from his record deal to pay them off. The song was featured on CNN, ESPN, and in Time magazine.
The success of the song led to more opportunities. ESPN asked him to create a theme song for its website, The Undefeated. He also wrote a song for the American Heart Association to help people learn the signs of a stroke.
In 2017, he released his first full album with RCA, called Slingshot David.
Becoming an Independent Artist
In 2019, Dee-1 announced he was leaving RCA Records to start his own label, Mission Vission Music. This meant he could have full control over his music. As an independent artist, he has released several albums, including God and Girls and Finding Balance.
In 2021, he made history by becoming the first rapper to be appointed to a state-level position by a governor. He joined a council in Louisiana focused on helping Black men and boys.
Activism in Hip-Hop
Dee-1 is a strong voice in the hip-hop community. He encourages artists and fans to avoid music that promotes negative messages. To support this idea, he created the Platinum Pledge. People who take the pledge promise not to create or support music with harmful lyrics.
Discography
Studio Albums
- David and Goliath (2009)
- Slingshot David: The Album (2017)
- God and Girls (2019)
- He's the Christian, I'm the Rapper (2020) (with Murs)
- Finding Balance (2022)
- UNO (2023)
- From the Hood to Harvard (2023)
- L.O.A.D.E.D (Life of a Disruptor Evolving Daily) (2024)
- Hiprotical Hop (2025)
EPs
- 3's Up (2015)
Selected Singles
- 2010: "Jay, 50 & Weezy"
- 2012: "Work" (featuring Lecrae)
- 2014: "Against Us"
- 2016: "Sallie Mae Back"
- 2022: "No Fear" (with Mac)
- 2023: "My Happy"
