Having been focussing on music for the last ten years Da Ryno is definitely keeping Texas on the map! With Mix-tape releases in constant flow and a crew of hard hitting rappers behind him Da Ryno is pushing music to a whole other level.
I decided to catch up with the MC himself and find out what Dirty 3rd as a whole expect to bring us in 2008!
Give us the low down on who Da Ryno is and what he represents?
Da Ryno: The Ryno is just a no nonsense artist. I try to bridge the gap between being a legitimate artist,and an entertainer. And I represent the Houston culture and the south as a whole.
Tell us more about your crew, Dirty 3rd?
Da Ryno: My crew is dirty 3rd records, we've been on the map for ten years now. We are definitely one of the hardest working most business oriented crews in the business.
What are you working on at present?
Da Ryno: Actually right now I'm working on several mixtape projects. And I'm hosting several CD's for people as well. And I just secured a deal with Yums shoes to be the spokesperson and host events for them.
You drop mix-tapes on what seems like a daily basis, is there an album on it’s way?
Da Ryno: Of course an album is on the way. I'm currently working on it now. Its going to be called "Here Comes Trouble".
Being from Texas that screwed and chopped sound is a daily feature where you are. For those unfamiliar give us a break down of what “chopped and screwed” actually is?
Da Ryno: Screwing and chopping music is where the pitch of a song is slowed down dramatically and certain parts of the song are brought back so that a particular part is doubled back to make a chopping sound. It was developed by the late DJ Screw and is a staple of Texas hip hop.
Hip Hop recently lost another great, Pimp C, what effect do you think his death is going to have on southern music as a whole? He was part of UGK, undoubtedly one of the south’s biggest duo’s.
Da Ryno: Pimp C will surely be missed. His death is another in the line of tragedy's we've had in Houston recently along with Hawk, and Big Moe. Its changing the face of southern hip hop because others including myself will have to carry on the legacy that was left behind and keep Texas on the map.
What can we expect from Dirty 3rd as a whole in 2008?
Da Ryno: In 2008 everyone can expect a hot album and more mixtapes. I gotta keep giving the streets what they want. More shows, and my own shoe as well.
You recently started doing your own t shirts! That’s common amongst rappers these days, do you see clothing as another area you may reach into?
Da Ryno: I'm selectively doing clothes right now, but people seem to like buying into my persona. So a full clothing line may come soon. So its definitely something I'm interested in doing in the future.
You were born and raised in Texas, what was life like for you growing up? Was music something you always wanted to be more involved in?
Da Ryno: Growing up in Texas was definitely a challenge with so many temptations and so much trouble to get into. I'm not sure how I'm still here, but I've always been smart so I adapted. I played a lot of football and hungout with my people so it was cool. And I've always loved music I was raised with people that played music all the time and it was just part of who I am so it was inevitable.
What are your plans for the Xmas season?
Da Ryno: For Christmas? I going to be with family and I think I have a show in Louisiana that night so of course I'm gonna party.
Tell us something about you we would not know just by looking at you… keep it clean now!!! (laughs)
Da Ryno: Something people may not now about me, but it should be obvious… I can cook lol.
And if you wanna hit me up be sure to check me out at www.myspace.com/d3ryno yessss!!!
By: Danielle
Interview for British Hip Hop courtesy of Underground Promotion UK.
