D.L.O., or Direct Lyrical One, is a member of Madison hip-hop group dumate, winner of a 2008 Madison Area Music Award for its song "Juke Joint." The emcee dropped his fourth solo album Customer Service last year, released via North Coast Entertainment. A free download of his single "Strut," nominated for a 2008 MAMA, is available at Broadjam.
Artists I emulate: I don't emulate, but I'm influenced by anything I can feel, no matter the genre.
Performance style: More chill, yet I get hyped when needed.
Venues I play: None... I bounce from spot to spot.
Crowd: B-Boys, B-Girls, middle class, lower class, high class, students, blue-collar workers, white-collar workers, black, white, Latino, Asian. Too many different people to list.
Artist philosophy: I Can't Stop, Wont Stop like Jeff Chang.
What makes me unique: I am... there's nobody exactly like me on this planet.
Best hip-hop act today: Today's it's the producer Black Milk from Detroit, but this changes on a daily basis.
Upcoming shows for DLO include:
- Saturday, February 14: So Seductive Valentine's Ball with Papi Love and Fab U Lust at the Brink Lounge
- Saturday, February 21: MAMAs fundraiser with Felicia Alima, DLO, Rob Dz and Tefman of L.O.S.T. S.O.U.L.S. at the High Noon Saloon
This is part of a series highlighting Madison's hip-hop emcees and DJs. If there is someone you want us to profile, please contact us.