ADIDAS PHOTOS IN SLIDESHOW TAKEN BY NANCY CLELAND.
Since childhood, Dread Iam has had an unnatural fascination for language. In 1993, he began writing as an outlet after being shot several times. He was left paralyzed and dying in the street. God and emergency surgery saved his life that night, even though doctors said he wouldn't survive to the next day. After one month in ICU, and another in a rehabilitation (for spinal cord injuries) facility, his fetish for words became the therapy he needed to begin the healing process.
Dread (then known as The Nocturnal Dread because of his extreme dark behaviors) continued to employ his pen as psychologist, when two years later, the universe placed a lyrical mastermind named Hangman, in his path. With that new motivation, he began to delve seriously into the mechanics of lyricism. He created the duo, Paranormal, and the level of his craft advanced exponentially.
Known for descriptive scenes, tangible metaphors, and vivid similes, Dread Iam has flabbergasted audiences of open-mics, street ciphers, studio battles, and featured appearances for over a decade. His talent for complex word arrangement is flawless and unparalleled, however, he is unselfish with his God given gift. He uses it to educate, entertain, inspire, and even to shock.
“I’m not satisfied with the cliché of changing one person’s life, that’s bullshit, I do that on a daily basis. I’m here to change the lives of the MASSES,†said Dread in a recent interview.
Raised in church, with extensive hood credibility, 10 bullet holes, a background in drugs/guns/women, and most recently, a college degree, Dread Iam is as well rounded as they come. A triple threat, so to speak…church smart, street smart, and book smart.
His existence, though, has been riddled with more than just bullets (he was shot a SECOND time in 1996, on the night of his first CD release). Poor representation, an unsuccessful record deal, the collapse of HIS OWN label, his rap partner doing a bid in prison on federal drug charges, and many other issues, all have contributed to his evolution as an artist.
Much like Madonna and Prince, Dread Iam continues to reinvent himself musically and lyrically. It is this ability that has allowed him to remain relevant in such a fickle industry. When asked about his musical morphings, he replied, “The more I learn, the more dangerous I become. Knowledge keeps me fresh and FEARED at the same time.â€
Dread has written songs, performed, ciphered, and shared the stage with such phenomenal artists as jazz band, The Charles Cooper Quartet (now Soultep), Wu Tang Clan/Killarmy producer 4th Disciple, Ohio’s own Middle Child, Mr. Buckeye City Relm Diggie, 7th Sign’s Mr. Majesty, R&B sensations Chauncey and Terri Whitlow, and a host of others.
Current projects include his first spoken word CD (www.myspace.com/iampoetryx), Euphoric Relationshipwrecks, due out on Christmas of 2007; his first children’s book, The Gargoyle Cometh, which should have a publishing home within the year; his new hip-hop CD, CO: Don’t Breathe, due out in 2008; and a new Paranormal CD (www.myspace.com/paranormalduo) entitled, Dichotomy, also due out in 2008.
This profile was edited with Rapid Codes Editor
