1. Before the music industry, how long were you a dj?
I DJ’d for about 3 years. I use to steal all of my uncle’s Brian music because he always had all the music first. I got aquatinted with the oldies though my uncle Dennis. He always had all the 70’s and 80’s music. I wasn’t the traditional DJ. I started right before I went to college, DJ’ing small parties and open houses. Then I went to Purdue and re-opened the dorm radio station. It had been closed since the late 80’s because nobody had interest in it. I had all the banging music and there was no Hip-Hop/R&B radio station there so it instantly became a success but was short lived because I dropped out of school.
2. Did your family carry on the same musical/artistic interests?
My uncle Wendell was a bass player in this band he was in. My uncle hands down is one of the coldest bass players ever. The band he was in actually included Freddie Gibbs’ father. He was the lead singer.
3. What or who inspired your name?
My Uncles Kevin, Kenny and Brian. They were called “Edge” before me. It’s short for our last name. When I was younger, everybody knew they were my family so everybody called me “Lil Edge”. I just put the “D” on there to because my real name starts with “D”.
4. What inspired you to get your own business started?
Working for and giving my all to somebody else. I just figured if I sacrificed a little and work just as hard as I did for others that having my own company would work.
5. Where did you come up with the name of the company? And why spell it with an “X”?
I came up with the name because when I was in the streets everybody use to tell me that everything I did was exquisite. When everybody was driving old schools and big bodies, I was driving Lexus. When everybody was wearing Dickies and gym shoes, I was wearing Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Fendi. Always kept my money in neat bundles. So that’s how the name came about. I spelled it with an “X” to separate myself from anybody else that may have used that name.
6. Who are some of your favorite artists you’ve worked with?
Really haven’t worked with too many people. Of course Freddie Gibbs and BJ The Chicago Kid. Shout out to both of them.
7. Out of all the songs you’ve produced or written, what is your absolute favorite?
I can’t pick a favorite because I still feel like I have a long way to go. All the songs on my new tape coming out “Picture Perfect” are on that level. As of now, “How I Feel” with Freddie Gibbs holds sentimental value because it’s the song that gave me a career as a producer and artist. That song yield a lot of great feedback. Lyrically, “Trigga Finga” on my album G-Kalaborationz Vol. 2, “What You Stand For?”, “Mafia” and Controlled Substance on “The Leak” and “Mile High” from the “All Day” EP are all on that level as well.
8. When and where was your first live show?
My first live show was in 2003 at Purdue University. I remember them pulling me off stage because the content was so bad. “Fuck that, Suck This, Bitch, yada, yada, yada”…LOL The crowd was going crazy, they loved it, but the people who booked the show didn’t tell us it was an all age event. They pulled the plug on me quick! I got paid though and I sold a ton of cd’s so I didn’t really care.
9. As an artist of many talents, how do you handle such a busy schedule?
Do the work as it comes with no excuses or exceptions. Being discipline and doing what I say I’m gonna do and doing it right the first time. That’s the way I operate and so far my batting average is pretty high with that approach.
10. What has been the biggest challenge for you as an artist?
Balancing my music career with just everyday life. Once things start falling in place, your career becomes your life so everything outside of that suffers.
11. What do you think your biggest break was?
I’ve never had a break. Don’t feel like I’ve done anything yet. Still have a lot to say and prove. I’m still working and learning. Maybe around this time next year I’ll have an answer for you.
12. If you had to categorize your music, what genre would it best fit in?
Honest is what I call my music. Accurate and True in its purest form like this magazine. No outrageous or unbelievable shit. Just honest dialog.
13. What inspired you to write “All Day”? And how did you feel when it was done?
Drugs…I was gone off 3 of the 4 drugs I wrote about in that song. I had just got off tour with Gibbs and we were partying every night. LOL…When I sobered up and I heard it I was cool with how it came out and everybody that heard it loved it. Really don’t remember producing, writing now mixing that song. That’s crazy…LOL
14. What or who has been your influence to continue in the music industry?
I’m one of the last few people that really have love for rap/hip-hop music and not just doing it for the money or fame. Of course I want to get compensated for my work but, I love being a part of the culture and making good music. So I guess what inspires me to keep going is the love for creating music.
(D-Edge performing his new single “All Day” from his upcoming mixtape “Picture Perfect” due out October 2013. Directed by D-Edge for Realizm Films and KC for Warriorz Vision. Copyright )
15. How do you feel about music sharing? And do you agree with giving some music away for free?
I’m cool with music sharing to a certain degree. It keeps the artist honest in putting out quality material. I don’t think they should have to give away whole albums or anything like that but putting a few songs out there for free shouldn’t hurt anything especially if you trying to establish yourself as a real artist. It’s good promo.
16. If you had the opportunity to change something about the music industry, what would it be?And why?
That’s a good question. Probably radio. I feel like it’s a lot of garbage on the radio. LOL…Just being honest.
17. For kids that want to grow up and be rappers, what advice would you give them?
My advice to anybody wanting to do this is KNOW THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THIS. It takes a lot of sacrifice and hard work. I’ve lost a lot in pursuit of this music shit. If you have any doubts, do not pursue it.
18. What are some of your future career goals? Do you see yourself in the music industry forever?
I’ve written several short movies and screenplays so I would like to see those develop into possible movies or tv shows. I’ll always be connected to music either through producing, engineering or just continuing to break artist.
19. Do you have any upcoming music that listeners should stay tunned for?
Look out for my new official mix-tape “Picture Perfect” coming in December. I have a project I’m doing with a few DJ’s called “I’m the Rapper, They’re the DJ’s” available on Halloween. I took the title from DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince’s “I’m The Rapper, He’s the DJ”. It’s a mix of verses, unreleased tracks and songs I’ve done over the last several months to catch people up on what I’ve been doing. It’s for “download only” and has about 60 tracks on it.
20. Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping your musical career come to life?
My uncle and partner Brian (B-Edge). If it wasn’t for him, there would be no music career. Been holding me down from jump. Definitely gotta shout out Freddie Gibbs. He gave me an opportunity to get to that next level in this game.
