When it comes to the music industry, there are many artists who have a story to tell. Stories that are written from turbulent times of the past, and for many, the choppy waters of the present. D.O.P is one of those artists; someone that identifies with the reality of addiction and has the story of a man that overcame it.
Trouble seemed to follow D.O.P around like a puppy follows its owner. From his home of Chicago, Illinois to the other places that he called “home”, D.O.P was easily influenced by the rough reality of street life. His lifestyle and behavior was a reflection of a dysfunctional home and a hard heart against God. By fifteen, D.O.P was a drug addict.
He was angry, and the anger intensified with every day; raging inside of him like a wildfire. To D.O.P, it was him against the world. At seventeen, he had completely immersed himself in the lifestyle of an active gang member. Rebelling against authority and breaking the law was his act of retaliation.
Shortly after devoting himself to gang life, D.O.P was arrested for Grand Theft Auto. This became a domino effect, leading to many other problems. He moved back to Chicago when he was seventeen where he found trouble awaiting his arrival. Affiliated with gangs again, he took his life to the streets and, in essence, became a drug dealer. He was arrested many times, followed by many court cases. During these days, D.O.P knew that something had to be done. But the problems only escalated.
The only way he knew how to live was to live the life of a criminal. Involved in everything from selling drugs (and doing them) to drive-by-shootings, D.O.P was lost in a world that he had grown to hate.
After a long battle with drugs, D.O.P realized that he couldn’t keep living the way that he had been living and that, if he didn’t do something about it, death would be knocking at his door. It wasn’t until October 3rd, 1999 that his life seemed to finally change course for the better. On that night, D.O.P became a father for the very first time. It gave him something to live for, something to keep him sober. Although he didn’t completely give up the ways of his past, D.O.P did retire his days of selling drugs and started working a real, nine-to-five job.
It was during these transition days that he unearthed his love for writing rhymes.
Starting on small sections of brown lunch bags, D.O.P perfected this craft of writing lyrics and soon he was recording his own music and turning his passion into a reality. On the outside, it seemed like he had his life together, but on the inside a war was raging.
D.O.P was divorced after four years of marriage. He was forced to move back in with his father. But, he didn’t give up. When things got bumpy, he held on and faced the uncertainty with bravery. In hopes to provide a better life for his son, D.O.P stove to finish his debut album and
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