David Augustine
If Tupac and Lauryn Hill had a son, it would be Dee-1. He is truly the voice of a generation, and has skyrocketed from doing local talent shows to rocking worldwide tours. Growing up in New Orleans, the temptation of the streets was very appealing. But these same streets broke Dee-1’s heart when his best friend got murdered. At that moment, Dee knew that God called him to break the cycle of negativity, so he chose a different route. Dee began rapping in college and became very popular on campus, but upon graduation, he decided to use his charisma and swagger to become a middle school teacher to reach the youth. He soon traded his classroom for a microphone and a stage, and the rest is history. Dee-1 entered the rap game on a mission: To inspire people everywhere to “Be Real, Be Righteous, and Be Relevant.” He has since released some of hip hop’s most powerful albums and has collaborated with platinum artists such as Lupe Fiasco, Macklemore, and Sevyn Streeter. His single, “Sallie Mae Back,” went explosively viral and became known as the “debt free student loan anthem.” His latest album, ‘Slingshot David,’ is his most exciting project, carrying a theme of finding your Slingshot and using it to defeat your Goliaths—a concept everyone can relate to. From his dreads to his outfits, to his raps, Dee-1 is a colorful personality full of raw energy and pure hype. As he continues to rock big stages and make hit records, all he asks of the people is to stay focused and keep their #MissionVision sharp at all times.
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.