The rise of Nazty Dee
by rslphoenix
Call it street poetry or whatever but Nazty Dee was born to rap and do it flawlessly. His affinity and interest for rap music started to spark an artistic passion that defines his sentiments, dreams, and direction as an individual. Since pop music has been mostly influenced by rap and hiphop music, 20-year-old Nazzer Dee Dumamba or artistically called “Nazty Dee” never faltered to follow, develop, and prepare himself for his chosen passion. Nazty Dee often imagined himself as a traditional rap artist who plays and creates music with street poetry flavour. But he does it for artistic and self-expression rather than imagining himself to be that “big,” influential hiphop music artist. He wanted to be just acontented artist that will stay behind the backstage and cheer for other people. Somehow, he believes that true artists are talented people who never regret sharing their gifts, hope, and encourage other artists to shine rather than embracing fame for themselves. A real artist is not afraid to lose his ideas because he believes that he can create and weave more, bigger ones. A true artist’s passion is as infinite as the universe. Nazty Dee is a generous artist. He wants others artists to shine and be themselves.
His friendship with Ilonggo rapper, Bronze P defined Nazty Dee’s capacity as music artist. Both of them collaborated for music, created past independent rap singles with other groups that carries the trademark of Ilonggo music and pride. They often considered Netbennch Recording Studio, an independent studio managed by Cliff Acusta as their favourite hangout place and the source of their music aspiration in La Paz, Iloilo City. Their expression of love and life in Iloilo City (they usually call it “ill City” in their rap verses) accumulated the growing influence to popularize local Ilonggo music among their fellow youth. Nazty Dee found solace in the kind of music that they created and willingly performed anywhere—in barangays, malls, events or even just hanging around with friends. For him, their music is so ordinary that people can phenomenally get hooked with their sound so easily. For this writer, it is a simple definition of extraordinary talent.
But every artist must struggle with a lot of consequences and tested by fate. Though Nazty Dee’s personality is often viewed by his peers as silent, friendly, peace-loving, and caring characteristics, he was caught up in a circumstance with strangers who beat him up that almost cost his life for no reason at all one night while hanging out with some friends. The tragedy left him confined in hospital for months and made his family or friends worried. It even left him hopeless to regain his capacity to rap and create music. But the heart always have a way to make the impossible possible. Almost half a year later, Nazty Dee refused to succumb in anxiety and decided to jumpstart again his passion for street poetry. He tried to hang out with old friends that supported him all the way. His notion of inspiration seems like “never give up on the good times.”
Fate unexpectedly put Nazty Dee in the limelight when rslphoenix music, a group of independent music producers encouraged him to write and create his solo single. It made him think for a while but his instinct for music pushed him to do it. His best buddy, Bronze P encouraged him to follow the path that would define his true capacity as an independent Ilonggo artist. After many sleepless nights, he finally crafted meaningful rap verses and beat for this first breakout single which was initially entitled “Kahit Malayo.” Nazty Dee’s inspiration for this song rooted from his sentiments and emotion for Filipinos working abroad (OFWs) that misses their family, loved ones, friends, and their home. In his song written in Tagalog, Filipinos struggling in other parts of the world will always find their true happiness and a part of them belongs to the Philippines with a promise that someday they will come home. Nazty Dee personally chooses rising Ilongga singer, Sheila Barrios with deep melodic voice to interpret the chorus and bridge of the song. Sheila’s voice gave the song an RnB flavour and sentimental feel that can often be describe as a “rap song with a big heart.” And upon listening to the song, there seems to be a piece of needle pinching the heart of every listener to get carried away to the lyrics and melody... “sana damo mo kahit malayo ang init ng pagmamahal sa’ yo.”
Last May 20, 2010, Nazty Dee and Sheila Barrios performed “Kahit Malayo” live at SM City Iloilo in the launching of itravel Philippines TV. It turned out to be a crowd favourite number as they flaunt their unique chemistry of interpreting the song. For Nazty Dee, his performance was his big break as a solo artist and he will surely go on in creating more music with a pinch in the heart.
“Kahit Malayo” will be released this week in local FM stations and a teaser music video will be posted in youtube as well as Sheila Barrio’s youtube channel. Hopefully, a music video is coming soon for this song that would further promote Nazty Dee’s passion for music.
This is the rise and rise of Nazty Dee, Ilonggo artist by heart.
