“Dave East” Article By: Mike Gordon
Who is Dave East? A lyrical MC. A vivid story teller. The present and
future of hip hop. Reining from Harlem New York, East has taken his
environment and put it on display. Signed to Rapper Nas’ Record Label,
“Mass Appeal Records,” Dave is now on the come up after years of hard
work. His most recent and critically acclaimed mix tape, “Hate Me Now”
has put him on the map! This is an artist who is diverse both
lyrically and musically within his flows. Known for his classic type
feel, Dave East also brings a certain New York nostalgia to his music.
He is unique in that no one currently has a sound quite like his.
On June 3rd, 1988, David Brewster or better known as his stage name
“Dave East,” was born. He mostly grew up in Harlem and Queens New
York, attending and graduating from Springbrook High School. He has
always had a passion for rap though before music his main focus was on
him playing basketball. East attended and played ball at the
University of Richmond later transferring to Towson University.
Through out his time from his younger days to college, Dave would
write and spit rhymes. After leaving school due to certain
circumstances and doing a short jail bid in Baltimore, East decided to
channel all his time and energy solely on making music. When he got
back to NY his friend Charlie helped him set up a home studio. And so
he got to work…
Developing his sound, East put out a series of mix tapes, including
“Change Of Plans," in 2010. Followed by, “American Greed,” “Insomnia,”
“Don’t Sleep,” “No Regrets,” and “Gemini.” He began gaining notoriety
with his mixtape “Gemini,” getting radio spins on Hot 97 and Shade 45.
It was that very same mix tape that got into the hands of Nas.
Impressed by what he heard, Nas reached out to East and later signed
him. Coincidentally Dave had been good friends with Nas’ younger
brother, “Jungle” who helped orchestrate their meeting. Dave didn’t
think anything of Nas taking interest in his music, “I brushed it off
like yeah alright I need to see it to believe it im from the hood”
(105.1fm The Breakfast Club). Now apart of “Mass Appeal Records” in
2014 East dropped his next mix tape, “Black Rose.” and was highly
acclaimed by both fans and critics. Some of East's label mates include
“Run The Jewels,” and “Bishop Nehru.” Dave also has had an opportunity
to work on a song with "Statik Selektah” called “The Locker Room.”
Most Recently Dave East has been performing and promoting his most
current mix tape called “Hate Me Now,” which was released October
2015. Hosted by Dj Drama with features from, Nas, Pusha T, Jadakiss,
Styles P, Mack Wilds, Rico Love, Tray Pizzy and Floyd Miles. On his
song “Forbes List” Ft. Nas, East says it best when he states, “I do it
for the culture, I really come from the essence.” This is some one who
grew up on true New York rap. Some of his influences are listed as,
Biggie, Jadakiss, Styles P, Cam’ron, Big Pun and of course, Nas. Two
songs that really show East’s diversity are “Numb” and “I’ll Do
Anything,” where he reminisces about his cousin Malik who has passed
away. Ironic how someone who claims he's numb could have so much heart
in his music.
Dave East’s sound is something a young hip hop head and an older hip
hop head can agree on. There is a grittiness and truth portrayed that
is certainly undeniable. Do believe, there is a lot more of Dave East
to be seen and heard…
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