Dizzy Wright: The New Deal of Hip-Hop

A little over ten years ago seventh grader La’Reonte Wright, a.k.a Dizzy Wright, was living in a homeless shelter with his family. Bouncing from state to state, music was something that provided stability in his life. Today, the 24 year old has already released two studio albums and a host of ep’s and mixtapes. The only traveling he does is when he is performing or on tour in front of thousands of screaming fans. Dizzy may not have had the picture perfect life growing up, but he made the best of it. Through hard work and a supportive mom, the rapper has added his own flare to the rap genre. Want to know more about the guy who Layzie Bone from the notorious rap group “Bone Thugs-n-Harmony” calls nephew? Look no further. True has the exclusive for ya!

La’Reonte Wright was born in Flint, Michigan before moving to Las Vegas with his mom and siblings at the age of four. Though music was something he has known and loved practically all his life he explains he knew rapping was something he wanted to pursue “I think it was the year after I graduated high school. After I dropped the mixtape “Soul Searchin’” and I got like a thousand copies printed up. The response that I got back from people gave me confidence. They were telling me “You tight bro. You should really do it.” (Chuckles) And I was like “Yeah I guess” you know and I was being consistent and it just kind of never stopped.” Consistency is something Dizzy has had since the age of eight when his mom put together a little rap group comprised of her two sons (Dizzy and his little brother) and a childhood friend. “We were like a little “Bone Thugs,” he says proudly.

Talent especially does not fall from the family tree. How many of y’all wish you can say one of the dopest rappers from an iconic rap group was your uncle? Hands should be raised! I know I do. Dizzy has bragging rights because not only does he excel as a phenomenal rapper but his uncle Layzie Bone has had a pretty damn great career. Yeah you know the one from “Bone Thugs-n-Harmony” who has been nominated for a Grammy three times and has even won a Grammy for “Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group” in 1997? I’m sure you are very familiar. Dizzy enlists Layzie as a major inspiration for him as well as “Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. They’re all my uncles, all five of them. They played a big part. Pac. Jigga. Suga Free. Snoop. The typical you know? Nate Dogg.”

Everyone hits a rough patch in their lives. There are millions of people worldwide who are struggling and worried about when the next meal they will eat will take place and where they are going to sleep for the night. While many may succumb to the “hard life” and let their rough patches get the best of them, Dizzy was determined to learn and grow from his adversities. In the seventh grade he and his family had to live in a homeless shelter until they could get back on their feet. While living in a homeless shelter is the last place anyone wants to end up, Dizzy tells True that it has changed his outlook on life for the better. He says “Yeah definitely because I have an appreciation for the little things in life you know? That can’t even be gifted you know. It’s like a feeling that you receive from somebody that they give you. When I was living in the shelter the people that talked to me and picked my spirit up is the people that stood out the most. I have a deep appreciation for someone who reaches out to somebody to look out for them you know?” One thing’s for certain it takes a strong level-headed individual to bear with not only the good times life has to offer but also the most difficult.
Before living in a homeless shelter for a few months, Dizzy and his family were living in party capital Las Vegas, Nevada. He has lived not only in Vegas but Michigan, Georgia, and California before eventually moving back to Vegas for his twelfth grade year. While he has lived in some of the most livest states across the US, there is only one place he would call home and that is “Vegas. I enjoyed living in Vegas the most because that’s just where I was the most comfortable you know? Everywhere I went I didn’t have a problem fitting in and settling in a new house but it always felt weird. It just never felt like home. I always felt like I wasn’t going to be there for a long time but in Vegas I always felt like I was at home because that’s where I grew up so I would have to say Vegas.”

Currently signed to Funk Volume recording label, Dizzy has been tirelessly working on his new album “The Growing Process.” The rapper dropped his first single and video for “Train Your Mind” off his new album back in February and received nothing short of positive feedback. The song and video gives you that old school vibe and begins with him dancing around. It kind of reminds me of Tupac and his charismatic attitude. Growing is something that every artist goes through to get to that super star status they strive to obtain. “The Growing Process” is Dizzy’s friendly reminder that he is emerging to be the next great rapper. The rapper had his reasons why he decided to name his highly anticipated album “The Growing Process.” “Well I feel like everybody has a growing process. I’m inviting people to be part of mine and not even as a musician but as a man in general. I’m just overall becoming a better person. The growing process of me becoming a better person. That hood Jigga (Jay-z) to the owner of the Brooklyn Nets Jigga. The growing process of that. I’m just kind of kicking it off cause my fans are already part of the growing process and I could speak about it in interviews but I just wanted to make it the title of what’s really going on.”

I asked Dizzy what his favorite track was on the album and after a few moments of thought, he said “(Chuckles) I have so many favorites. I have a song called “Daddy Daughter Relationship” and I brought my daughter to the studio and I got her on the track and chopped it up with her you know! I allowed her to put some vibes into the world for the first time. I think that’s my favorite track because all the tracks have a certain type of vibe for the world. You know like some of the niggas is not going to like the smoke songs you know? Some of the kids are not going to relate to “Daddy Daughter Relationship.” They’re not old enough to grasp the concept yet but they’ll like the way it sounds. I’m just talking about who it hits home for. That always hits home for me. That’s my baby.” This album will touch the hearts and stimulate the minds of many different people. You can be the most gangsta thuggish thing walkin’ or the most quiet and reserved business man. Fact is, no matter where you come from or who you are, this album will hit home for you in some shape or form.

What makes an artist the great singer or rapper they become? It’s not only their ill rhymes or their signature style, but the team they surround themselves with. Every dope artist has a team of talented and hard-working individuals who bust their asses to ensure that artist’s success. Dizzy has worked with some of the best in the industry and has his eyes on one producer that he would like to work with. Mike Will Made It who has worked with Mariah Carey, Juicy J, Miley Cyrus, and 2 Chainz, just to name a few is on the top of Dizzy’s list of producers he wants to work with. He said, “I want to work with Mike Will Made It. You know something fly for when I’m feelin’ fly (Laughs). A lot of the people that I’ve worked with already I really just rock with. But somebody who’s just hot and put out records that I enjoy umm Mike Will Made It.”

One thing that stands out to me is Dizzy’s style. He is truly one of a kind. He exudes a positive attitude that is contagious to those around him. Not to mention, his swag is on ten! When asked in one word how he would describe his style he responded, “Organic because I’m not imitating anybody’s style. I’m just growing to have this style. This is what I like. This is organic. It’s what fits me. I’m not looking for a certain style. I’m just always elevated with the way that I’m living.” Imitation is something we see a lot of. It’s rare for an artist to not hear he’s biting off of another’s style or sound. Good thing Dizzy doesn’t have to worry about anyone saying he’s swagger jockin’!

As I was sitting there conducting this interview with Dizzy, I couldn’t help but notice his never-ending body of tattoos. Many of his tatts are inspirations within itself that he uses for guidance each day. “I have “God’s Poetry” on my hands because I just feel like I’m using these (his hands) to write these words and as I jot my words down early on you know. Now I’m using the damn phone (Laughs). I use to just write the shit but usually it’s just my poetry and being a God of myself and my world. Then I have “Love Yourself” right here on my hand too (he points to his hand) just a friendly reminder. It’s funny cause I have “God’s Child” on here. A lot of my stuff is spiritual man. This how I stay close to God you know?”
Working hard, putting God first, and staying positive even through tough times has landed Dizzy into the phenomenal artist he is today. Like many other artists and musicians who have left a legacy for us to follow, Dizzy is on that same path. Tupac, Biggie, Michael Jackson, and Bob Marley are just a few of the greats that have paved the way for many up and coming artists today. I asked the rapper what is one thing he wants to leave behind as far as his musical career and he had this to say. “Damn it’s a lot that I want to leave behind. I just want people to have something real to follow. I got Bob Marley tatted on the back of my arm because of what he gave the world, what he left the world. His spirit. I want people to feel that positive energy from my spirit whether I’m here or I’m not you know? In the music, in the interviews, in everything. I just want to leave that impression to the world and give everybody something to strive to be cause that’s what I’m striving to be.”
Leaving his mark in the rap game has already began for the 24 year old Vegas native.

When he isn’t in the studio, touring, or making bangers, Dizzy enjoys spending time with the ones who matters most, his kids. “I hang out with my kids. I watch good TV shows like “Sons of Anarchy” and “The Blacklist.” (Laughs). When I get down time I like to just chill. I don’t be doing too much but I do yoga. I fucking work out, play basketball and all of that shit. I don’t consider me doing that on my down time cause I’m always so active. But on my down time I’m sitting on the couch watching TV with my kids running around.”

Is there one thing you’ve always wanted to ask your favorite singer, actress, rapper, or basketball player that you know you probably won’t get the chance to ask? We all have that one person who we would love to just sit back and talk to and find out all the juicy details of their lives. Well before leaving, I had to ask Dizzy a lil somethin’ somethin’. I wanted to know the one thing he wants fans to know about him and his response chuckled me a little bit. “Somebody asked me, you know what’s crazy? One of my fans asked did I really do yoga like “Do niggas do yoga?” Like is that even something niggas even do? (Smiles). I really do that shit and I don’t really worry about what people think. I go in there high as fuck all the time cause I like to do things high so when I perform high or I’m in an interview high I’m not acting like a fucking stoned idiot you know? I go work on my breathing and stretching and all of that shit but I don’t worry about what anybody thinks so if any of my fans who really wanna know if I’m about it, I am.”

Dizzy doing Yoga? Yeah it surprised me a little too. But being the original type of guy that he is, I can’t say I’m too astonished by his claims.

You know how earlier we mentioned Dizzy’s love for traveling and touring? Oh, I didn’t? That’s how I felt when he so casually mentioned his tour he’s embarking on beginning May 29th. Shut the front door! Yep. You heard right. The rapper is going on a 28 city tour titled “The Growing Process” which starts May 29th in San Luis Obispo at Slo Brew and ends July 4th at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, a.k.a his hometown a.k.a his favorite spot! Want to know something funny? The same day I interview Dizzy is the same day he announced his tour! “I just announced my tour today. The growing process tour starts May 29th and it ends 4th of July in Vegas. I’m really excited. It’s going to be at the House of Blues. It’s the biggest show for artists out of Vegas just to be headlining the house of blues is a blessing. I’ve been on a lot of tours and I’ve done a few shows in Vegas. My last show in Vegas was super successful. I was pleased but I did my first show in the strip at the House of Blues. I opened up for a band and I always told myself that I was going to come back. (Chuckles) I told them motha fuckas that I would be back one day and I’m really coming back and the fact that it landed on 4th of July I’m like YO but people should look for the tour dates and they should come to the show.”
From the looks of it, we have a lot of Dizzy to look forward to. With his Cd to be released soon, like within the next month or two soon, and this upcoming tour, he is all work and no play.

Before I gathered my belongings and was almost packed and ready to head out the Warner Brother’s Record office I asked my new found friend if he had any last words before I left and he said while laughing and singing, “Love everything and everybody. Keep smoking weed.”
I want to personally thank Dizzy for allowing me to enter his space of artistry and filling not only myself, but the world in on his musical and personal goals.

Check out his tour dates below:

FRI 5/29 San Luis Obispo, CA Slo Brew
SAT 5/30 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst
SUN 5/31 Sacramento, CA The Boardwalk
TUE 6/2 Boise, ID Revolution Event Center
THU 6/4 Fort Collins, CO Aggie Theater
FRI 6/5 Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theater
SAT 6/6 Des Moines, IA Wooly’s
SUN 6/7 San Bernadino, CA Nos Event Center
TUE 6/9 Indianapolis, IN Deluxe
WED 6/10 Joilet, IL Mojoe’s
THU 6/11 Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection
FRI 6/12 Detroit, MI The Shelter
SAT 6/13 Cleveland, OH The Agora Ballroom
TUE 6/16 Toronto, ON The Hoxton
WED 6/17 Montreal, QC Fairmont Theater
THU 6/18 New York, NY Highline Ballroom
SUN 6/21 Dover, DE Firefly Festival
TUE 6/23 Memphis, TN Hi Tone
WED 6/24 Little Rock, AR Juanita’s Café & Bar
THU 6/25 Dallas, TX Trees
FRI 6/26 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
SAT 6/27 San Antonio, TX Alamo City Music Hall
MON 6/29 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater
TUE 6/30 Phoenix, AX The Press room
WED 7/1 Tucson, AZ The Rock
THU 7/2 Costa Mesa, CA Shark Club
FRI 7/3 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
SAT 7/4 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues

By: Simone Grant