Interview: Brooklyn Rap Artist D. Edge Discusses His New EP "Tha La$t Supper"
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“I felt like artistically I have grown because I feel more confident (and it shows) rapping wise, I’m more cognizant sonically/conceptually and I have a better idea of when is something is completed.”
Salute to you on the release of your EP "The La$t Supper", and the track we just featured, "HVIII ME". Tell us who the featured artists and producers are on the EP, and what the title, "The La$t Supper”, represents.
“Tha La$t Supper” is an ode to art, religion, politics, identity etc. When you think of Tha La$t Supper most people would think of Jesus and eventually getting betrayed by Judas. Some people might think of the Leonardo DaVinci painting or depiction on the previously mentioned subject.
Yes, those are indeed some of the reasoning why I chose the title, but I want people to have their own interpretations of what they would do if they were confronted with this situation. Members of the African Diaspora and poor people are faced with tough decisions on the daily due to circumstances beyond our control. How would you feel if you knew your life could potentially end based on ethnicity, religion, sexuality and etc? Everyone’s meaning could vary based on their interpretation.
The EP only has two features from SMTH and Beyond with production from RAH the Gift, theycallmeParker, U-Dub, DEXTAH and DJ Forgotten.
Tell us about your creative process for the development of the EP's five songs and what inspired you to create it.
I had this concept in the chamber for years, but this is the first time I was able to execute it. Right now I feel like the world is due for a “Renaissance” (also a college professor said I was a Renaissance Man) which means that you will have to endure death (ideologies, mentality) to show rebirth and growth.
I felt like artistically I have grown because I feel more confident (and it shows) rapping wise, I’m more cognizant sonically/conceptually and I have a better idea of when is something is completed. When I get tired of hearing a record, I know that’s when it’s time for the project or song is ready to be released. I also stopped giving a fuck whether people believe I’m dope or not. I know I’m talented and I’m not trying to sound like what’s hot/trendy.
“Starvation Freestyle” was produced by Brooklyn’s finest RAH the Gift. This guy is one of the dopest producers period and is one of my real life friends. We’re both huge basketball fans so he knew I’d rock with this off the rip. When he played me the beat, I instantly wanted to use it. The instrumental made me feel nostalgic to the ‘90s Bulls which featured MJ and Scottie led teams. I feel is the most important record because it set the tone for the project. Without that record, “Tha La$t Supper” wouldn’t have a direction at all. The record was just a reminder that I could rap my ass off and show people the growth. This song also proverbially mixes the medicine in the candy because while I say crazy punchlines, I drop gems in the record as well stating create your own path and be yourself. RAH and I have some more things cookin’ coming shortly.
“Kill or Be Killed” featuring one of my brodies SMTH (most known for “Last Straw” with Capital Steez) and was produced by U-Dub of NY Bangers (most known for Young MA’s “OOOUUU” and Casanova’s “Don’t Run”). When I heard this beat, I thought of survival - hunter vs the hunted. I wanted SMTH on the record because I feel like every time we collab on something we complement each other very well (see King$, SBM or Tha Life as evidence). Someone stated that when they heard this record that I was like Rambo on a mission and SMTH is the cool guy in a three-piece suit snapping his fingers getting someone hurt haha. “Kill or Be Killed” is personally one of my favorite records because we both snapped, but it shows how different artistically me and SMTH are sonically to make a great record. This goes back to interpretation because me and SMTH are typically on the same wavelength, but his verse was completely different than mine in terms of content. When someone is faced with tough decisions or life and death, how would you react? Shoutout to Heccctorrr also for his help on this song as well.
“ENUFFizENUFF” was the last record I wrote, which was produced by DEXTAH. It took me a minute to really sit, write and record this song because I have a myriad of emotions being a black man in America. Some days I feel frustrated, sad, angry, hopeless, and etc. seeing how the legal system continually fails people who look like me. I wrote the song during when riots were rampant across America and I probably recorded the song close to 40-50 times. This was the first time I recorded since COVID and without an engineer, so I questioned everything. The record means a lot to me as well because this is the first record since SBM or N****s Hate where I feel like I didn’t sugar coat anything. I’ve also dealt with police harassment and brutality multiple times to the point where I still deal with trauma sometimes in everyday life. Recently, I was literally walking in my neighborhood in Brooklyn with my girlfriend with a Black Lives Matter jersey on and was apprehended by a police officer. They didn’t believe that I lived in my neighborhood and asked for my ID because we were trying to get past the barricades. We literally saw him allow others walk through without any issues. I typically would be a little more argumentative because if I’m not doing anything wrong, why am I being harassed for? However, since I have my girlfriend with me, my main focus was ensuring her safety. I showed the officer my ID and as he escorted us up the street I told him to his face that you wouldn’t do this to us if we were white (making him turn beat red). Even if someone was doing someone illegal, someone shouldn’t be beaten or lose their lives without having a “fair trial”. The point is that I’m tired of people being judged on appearance and such instead of character. I’m beyond tired of my people worldwide being oppressed. “ENUFFizENUFF” of black men, black women, black trans/queer people getting denied basic rights.
“HVIII ME” was produced by one of my mentors, the Bay Area’s own theycallmeParker (worked with D-Savage, Earl Sweatshirt to name a few) recorded at the Brewery Recording studio in LA in February. This dude really is a supercomputer and has the best drums in the industry, I swear to God. For instance, he made me rerecord the Onyx duh, duh, duh like 40x because he said my tone was off. This dude catches everything when an artist records with him. His earlier teachings have molded me into the perfectionist I am today. I now rerecord verses and every little thing until I feel like it’s at a great level. For instance, I didn’t punch in recording “ENUFFizENUFF” at all. I hate punching in for verses!! Nevertheless, when Parker sent me this beat in like last October I knew it was created for me. “HVIII ME” is one of my favorite songs to date because I showcase a different delivery with witty punchlines and bravado and to top it off I sing on the hook. I feel like this song has the most replay value and I feel this song is the most relatable. Who doesn’t have haters or snakes pretending to be your friend? Shoutout to my homies Mo White, Rich and RND Musik for talking shit about me hahaha!
“inVINCIble” featured R&B/Soul artist and producer Beyond with production from DJ Forgotten. I recorded my verses with theycallmeParker in LA as well. However, I initially recorded a hook that I was singing in autotune with and in my gut I knew I wasn’t meant to be on the hook. Parker literally told me that I should consider getting a soulful male singer on the hook but I didn’t see it at the time. My homie RAH the Gift posted a Beyond song on IG called Chasin’ and I really liked his vibe and sound. I literally had one of those Jimmy Neutron brain blasts and said hmm yo he fits perfectly on this record. We started choppin’ it up and found out we have a lot in common, so we started collaborating more on other stuff for both of our projects. He wrote a hook that better suited his vocal style and made “inVINCIble” a better record. The fans will be seeing a lot of Beyond & D. Edge collabs moving forward.
Woodro Skillson (worked with Travis Scott, MGK, Kid Cudi) was the brains of the operation adding his touch mixing and mastering the project. This dude took the project to another level adding elements I would’ve never thought to add.
Do you plan on releasing a music video for "HVIII ME" or any of the tracks on the EP?
Before COVID-19 I was planning to do a video for “HVIII ME” and I wanted to have a lot of props and such for the video. I wanted to do scenes on the Brooklyn bridge, have a throne and such really have a visual to poke my chest out for. We don’t need another bravado record out during these times, and I feel like I’d be better suited shooting a video for “ENUFFizENUFF” and “inVINCIble”.
“ENUFFizENUFF” is a record discussing the struggle as a black person in the USA. “inVINICIble” is a motivational record telling you to keep your head up during these times. I really like “HVIII ME”, but I don’t think it’s the time to put my chest out when the world is in turmoil.
How would you say that Brooklyn influences or inspires the music that you create?
Brooklyn is the home of some of the greatest period. You can look from rap wise Big Daddy Kane, Biggie, Mos Def, Hov and Fab. We could even look at sports: Michael Jordan, Carmelo Anthony, Mike Tyson, Stephon Marbury and etc. We also have the legendary Spike Lee, Eddie Murphy and Lena Horne. My home is known for having culture, swagger and a different energy. In my music, I try to incorporate old school/new school relatable themes and I just try to be myself musically. People know that I have a lot of influences, but no one can say I’m trying to emulate a particular artist.
What do you look for in the beats that you write to?
I feel like I have a great ear for production since I hang out with a lot of producers and I’m open to all genres. I look for something that is timeless and not trendy. If I get some sort of creative direction, I look for beats for concepts that match moods sonically as well.
I’ve been compiling beats for my debut album for like a year or so, but I constantly have changed things based on feelings and if I find something better to match my mood/feelings. I’m not scared to experiment with other genres and such because I’m open minded (if I’m drawn to it). I love heavy 808’s though.
With the EP out and 2020 winding down, what are some of your goals musically for 2021?
My main problem since I started taking music seriously has been consistency. If you look at my previous releases, I was dropping stuff every two years. Some of that was because of work life balance, dealing with real life shit and access to a studio. Now, I’m able to record whenever I want because I have a little setup in my room.
I’m slated to drop possibly two more projects this year (one with Beyond and another with Canadian rapper/producer Flowzus). Next year, I plan to have another EP for my album, drop an album and drop “DevSeason III”. I just want to continue having fun making music, expand my fan base, remain consistent and constantly improve as an artist.