New Orleans rapper Dee-1 explains purpose in music, message to Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Joe Budden & how his experiences have shaped his life path from the hood to Harvard.

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From being bullied in school to facing opposition still today, Dee-1 has learned how to look beyond his fears and realize the importance of his mission. From labels to fans to fellow artists, Dee has found his place as a realist when it comes to the rap game, and his music reflects his love of God and humanity. 

Hailing from New Orleans, Dee speaks on the hardships he faced while in college at LSU, such as friends getting involved in drugs, getting cut from the basketball team and losing his longtime girlfriend. Despite this adversity, he gets emotional when touching on his biggest Pivot, a moment that has evidently shaped him still today where he escaped being killed by seconds. Dee-1 knows firsthand the influence that murder music and the glorification of violence can have on society, and his lyrics provide an alternative message.

He addresses the scrutiny and backlash from hip hop’s bigger names of Meek, Rick Ross and shares how he’s not worried about the Joe Budden’s of the world criticizing his approach because his message his far bigger than his ego and money.

As rappers and fans continue to compare wealth, status and fame, Dee-1 preaches about the core of what makes us all human. So while rap stars may have words for the Louisiana native, he continues to make an impact his own way, by approaching the Goliaths with love. 

By understanding that God had more planned for him, Dee has gone on to teach at a middle school, become a Louisiana governor appointee and even write a children’s book. His eleventh album is a testimony to his journey, titled “From the Hood to Harvard.”

The Harvard University Nasir Jones Hip-Hop fellow keeps it real with the Pivot crew during this episode, pointing to difficult conversations as a solution to the difficult problems in today’s world. 

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