FRIDAY FEATURE - SOUL SERGEANT D-MAN

Many might agree that today’s Hip Hop is “not the same” as when it first started. There are many artists and Hip Hop fans that would say that the Hip Hop of today, with all the “mumble” rappers and “trap” rappers, is not true Hip Hop. But what is true Hip Hop? Is Hip Hop a specific sound? Is it even music anymore? Whatever the case may be, as a Hip Hop Artist and fan myself, I think that anyone is entitled to his/her opinion. Here at OTDHipHop, I give you folks my all, whether you agree or disagree. I also believe that Hip Hop can mean different things to different people. I’ve met artists who’ve used music as a way to overcome depression and destructive behavior like drug and alcohol abuse, artists who’ve felt disconnected from their own families who found community in Hip Hop, and even artists/listeners who simply love the music and culture. With that said, I had the pleasure of interviewing Soul Sergeant D-Man (SSD), for this week’s Friday Feature segment. While he is an artist/rapper, his authentic love for Hip Hop/Rap music and culture truly sets him apart.

Born Damion Davis, Soul Sergeant D-Man (SSD) is a 24-year-old Hip Hop Artist/Rapper from Glendale, Arizona. His name may sound a little “out there,” but SSD explained the meaning behind his rap name. “I came up with the name Soul Sergeant D-Man, by the help of my dad because he made believe that I can put my heart and soul into anything I do. My name is Soul Sergeant D-man, meaning I got soul like The Godfather of Soul. As a sergeant, I'm somewhat like the roughest and toughest, and in my own little world I’m just D-man,” said SSD.

Growing up, SSD was always a fan of Hip Hop and was exposed to rapping on his own as a preteen. SSD stated that one day, his older cousin Deshawn was writing with a pen and pad in the dining room, but Deshawn was already brilliant freestyler. “I told Deshawn that he makes want to rap but I didn’t think I would be good at it. But Deshawn believed in me and told me that I could get better with a lot more practice,” said SSD. He went on to say that, “Deshawn helped me write my first rhyme, and picked out 50 Cent's "P.I.M.P." instrumental to rap to. I messed up plenty of times until he made sure I was on beat with the flow and lyrics.” Since that time, SSD has been writing his own lyrics, first as a hobby that gradually progressed over time, until he was able to record at the GrayRoom Recording Studio for the first time at age 16.

SSD has a number of supporters via social media, largely due to his accomplishments and the network he has grown from participating in contests like Team Backpack’s (TBP) Mission Underground auditions. TBP is a platform committed to showcasing the best in underground Hip Hop, and serves as the initial catapult into stardom for many up and coming artists. “In 2015, I decided to go for broke and do my online audition. After uploading it on YouTube, I was getting nothing but good positive feedback from the other emcees that was also competing, just wishing each other good luck. At first I felt like I wasn't going to get my invitation so I did another online audition to prove I'm in it to win, and after that I got my invitation email from TBP! It felt like I won the lottery,” said SSD. While in California for Mission Undergound Los Angeles (MULA), SSD met many gifted and talented local like emcees like Gio Martin, Naim Def, D'vision Kurosaki, Nasty Nelo, Mr. E, Mizznekol, $arcast, Sean Curtis, Terry Davis aka Freeze, and much much more. “I even met and talked to almost all the famous Teambackpack Heavy Hitters in the game. I seen street cyphers, merchandise, food truck, interviews, and everything there. Overall, I felt really blessed to see Hip Hop music, artists, and culture all come together to bring positive but also competitive vibes all around. Even though I didn’t win anything or make the Top 12, it was great to be part of the Team Backpack movement,” said SSD.
Going forward, SSD is more than just another local rapper. He is a strong supporter of the variety of talent in Hip Hop, and consistently promotes other artists via social media. In an age where everyone seems to want to always “one up” each other, SSD chooses to uplift, and I believe that says more about an artist than anything else. “What hip-hop communities need is a savior and that savior is yourself and it's all on you. If you don't care or even try to do something about it then the more degrading the hip-hop community will be. It's all about pushing the culture,” stated SSD.
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For more information on Soul Sergeant D-Man (SSD), visit his Youtube channel and/or follow him on Facebook.

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