About Me
"HIP-HOP IS DEAD". With that bold statement in late 2006, NAS unapologetically, and brashly, finally spoke on the state of Hip-Hop. Which had since the turn of the century become a talentless cess pool of "Bang Bang, Get Money, Fuck Hoe's, and Rock Ice" un-creative so-called artists. Though the bright spot in all this being the culture of Hip-Hop as a whole being more acceptable, accessable, and commercially viable in the public eye more than ever before, it has ultimately lost, for the most part, its creative "zen" and instead became a genre of "followers" instead of "leaders". Hoping to not only be an exception too this decree, but also a innovator and leader of the "New School" is 23 year old rapper Eddie Dollaz. Born Edward Naranjo in Lansing, MI, Dollaz began penning rhymes at age 14, but never started too push his material until the end of 2006. "Growing up I was really drawn to the whole essence of Hip-Hop, just the whole care free, feel good vibe it had". Citing MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, Wrexx N Effexs, Kriss Kross and Snoop Dogg as early idols, He would later begin too fall in love with the heavy weights who really had something of substance and value in there lyric's. "Jay-Z, Eminem, Nas, along with Big Pun, Big L, 2Pac and Biggie posthumously, were the real inspirations for what I'm doing now". " I figured if I'm going to do something I might as well do it to the best of my ability and school myself too the way the greats of this game became greats, what set them apart, made them the legends they are today and and do my damnest too put myself in the same category and sentences as them". Unlike most rapper's today, Dollaz is not motivated by monetary or material gain or the ever present here today gone tomorrow, sell a million ringtones, now I'ma boss, flash in the pan success the majority of the new generation of Hip-Hop is infatuated with. "My soul purpose is too give people what no other person in this world can give you, ME". "My music is a direct reflection of who I am, a hard working, blue collar, goofball individual, who embodies the true meaning of perseverance". Coming from humbling beginnings, Naranjo chose the road less traveled and dedicated himself to school and sports, instead of the streets as most individuals in the 'Hood do. "I come from the whole single parent home, welfare living, unable to make ends meet, hardship and struggles you here your favorite rapper's talk about", but never let that be his scapegoat for becoming a product of his environment. "I'm here doing what I'm doing for the pain I've endured along the way". " I may not be the flashiest, ballenest person, with the nice rides, women, and in the club stuntin' and all that, but I am not worried about all that". "I'm blessed enough to be able to work a decent job, pay my bills, and have family that supports and loves me unconditionally". "If this music is my calling and the Lord see's fit that I benefit financially from it, that's part of his plan". "But I don't need a mansion and a yard full of Lamborghinni's and Benz's, a simple house and vehicle that is paid for and a steady flow of money to pay the utilitie's is all I ask". As left field as that sounds, Eddie Dollaz might be exactly what the game is missing, a humble individual who is just happy to be a part of something with more meaning then just himself. "The name Eddie Dollaz of course is a play on my birth name, but also a acronymn meaning (E)very (D)ay (D)welling (I)n (E)xistence. (D)on't (O)ver (L)ook (L)ife (A)t all[a-(Z)]. Yes the focus and head on this young man's shoulders should be what it takes for him to etch his name in the Hip-Hop history books right along side his legendary influence's. "The way I look at it, we are creature's of knowledge and seek that and wisdom daily and will continue to do so until we are dead and gone". "And for the time being the Lord see's fit I create my music, so ultimately there's a purpose for what I am doing, what that purpose is, is still unknown, but I know I'm doing what I need to be doing for the present". With that said, Eddie Dollaz is definately a name you want to keep a eye open for in the near future.
