Debonair

John “Debonair” Roper has been composing music every since the age of 12. He and his brothers started their first rap group called “Pimp Mafia” in 1994. By performing at house parties and family gatherings, Debonair gained a strong stage presence which is still displayed when he performs today.Debonair was born on the north side of Birmingham, Alabama in a neighborhood called Finley. At the age of 13, he moved to the west side to a neighborhood called Ensley. While living in Ensley, he experienced many life changing events including gang fights, murders, robbery, etc. He used those experiences to better himself and look towards bigger and better things. He attended A.H. Parker High School where he was a part of a high school organization called Suave. Suave was known for throwing the crunkest parties and dressing extra fly. Just as he is today, Debonair was well known for being a prettyboy with the heart of a lion. He has always been a firm believer of being different. He graduated from Parker in 1999. After attending Miles College for one semester in the fall, he decided to put school on hold to work, and focus on music. In 2003, Debonair returned to school and enrolled in Jacksonville State University where he majored in Exercise Science and Wellness.Debonair teamed up with Michael “Sho” Calvin and Derrick “Zee” Calvin and formed a group called the Hillbilly Boys. Their remarkable style and hot songs landed them a local deal with Sound Mindz Music. The deal only lasted for one year in which the group decided to cancel their contract. In 2005 after being released from Sound Mindz, he and his group changed their name to “Hillibeez”. The Hillibeez along with their cousin, Michael Calvin Jr., started their own record label, A-Skilled Entertainment. The Hillibeez released a self titled album in 2005 which is still available on cdbaby.com/hillibeez and many digital download web sites. The Hillibeez won the 8 o’clock Beat Down on 95.7 Jamz for an entire week with their song “Fa’Sho”, and again for another entire week for their song “That’s Right”. They opened up for many big artists including, Pastor Troy, Lil Scrappy, Boyz in the Hood, and T.I., to name a few. They received much recognition in the club with their hit song “Swangin”.Already known as a “super producer” and an artist, Debonair decided to venture out and work on a solo project. As a solo artist, Debonair performed numerous concerts on the campus of JSU during his enrollment there. His solo project includes guest appearances from fellow group members Sho and Zee, Ra, Amore, Mista Mal, and LaShundra. The album is schedule to be released by the end of summer 2007. He titled his album “The Missing Element” because he identifies himself as being the missing element of hip hop. Debonair’s music is electrified with real life issues, comedy, x-rated topics, and a little street content to top it off. The first two releases off of the album are “Boom Shakalaka” and “Girlfriend”. He focuses on crossing over to a broad crowd with hopes of reaching all ethnicities with his music... ..
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