LeVar Cyprien DeLone, better known as "L.D.", first became interested in Hip Hop after hearing a tape of his older brothers by a group named Run DMC, back in 1984. Shortly after seeing movies such as Krush Groove, Beat Street, Breaking, etc. and seeing artists such as Ice T rapping in their days on the come up. Just a few years later, L.D. was also around the forming of a local group by the name of 808 posse containing K-Unique or better known as Spliff who recently changed his moniker to M.A.S.U. short for Must Always Stay United (MySpace.com/OfficialMASU), all played a part in contributing to L.D.'s inspiration. "It was like the world I wanted to live in and wanted to somehow become a part of it".
L.D. began rapping at the age of 12. "From my eye's, it seemed like a kid watching a double dutch contest and nervous about jumping in, but, knew that I wanted to and could". But, it wasn't until lots of practice and dedication that better rhyme writing skills came along. "While most kids were running the streets, living the street life, and going in and out of jail I was writing rhymes, listening music, and basically just becoming Hip Hop". It (Hip Hop) was one of the only things that no one could take away from L.D. During L.D.'s growth, he built himself a reputation and gained respect, by way of "freestyle battles" amongst friends and competitors alike.
The business side of the game did not come into play until L.D.'s life-long friend Javan "FLORIDA J" McCain (MySpace.com/1FloridaJ) "hipped" him to it. "It showed me that the rapping side of this music was only 10% of the Industry as a whole". FLORIDA J began making mix-tapes for L.D. and their friends, and in the mix of these tapes, there would be L.D. performing a song or freestyle of his own over an instrumental of a currently "hot" song. The only place for L.D. to showcase his talent, at this point in time, was at local talent shows. And as he got older, hole in the wall clubs performing for free, just simply trying to keep a name for himself. It wasn't until the year of 1999 that L.D. would release his first real "gem" on this "music circuit", it was released by $traight 2 Gold, Incorporated (www.straight2gold.biz), a label founded by FLORIDA J, which was formed in 1994 and re-named from Down $outh Records.
The release was a single titled "Never Go Astray". After witnessing what the "street life" had done to close one's lives, and having children (JaJuan and Trinity) of his own in this world, L.D. decided to deliver his song to people who felt oppressed / depressed in hopes to fill them with inspiration and / or motivation. Unfortunately, due to trials and tribulations, plans to follow up on the single "Never Go Astray" took longer than expected.
But now, with "the ball officially rolling", L.D.'s plans of following up every release, is in full effect. L.D. will be dropping his third release titled "Wake Up Call". If you don't already have L.D.'s previous releases "The Power of Hip Hop" and "Back 2 Basics", make sure to contact L.D. and get your copies!
L.D.'s Accomplishments Include:
"Never Go Astray" (1995 $traight 2 Gold, Inc.)
"The Power of Hip-Hop" (2001 $traight 2 Gold, Inc.)
"Back 2 Basics" (2004 $traight 2 Gold, Inc.)
L.D. has performed at:
BARLEY's, Fort Walton Beach High School, Niceville High School, Mobile Civic Center, Club Oddities, Eglin Air Force Base NCO Club, and numerous house parties!
Contacting L.D.:
Phone: (850) 598-1433
E-Mail: [email protected]
WebSite: Download.com/L_D
WebPage: MySpace.com/LD850