Interview By Shauna Harris
Free Ambition:I know you represent the “Bay Area” because you were born in Oakland Ca, but where did you grow up?
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| Oakland, CA |
Derell Spires: I was born in the Bay Area, but I grew up and was raised in Arkansas. Marvell, AR to be exact. If someone asks me where I'm from I would say Marvell.
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| Marvell, AR |
I love Oakland tho. Hey it was one of the original Pimp strips and also where they shot my favorite movie of all time. "The Mack".
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| The Mack |
Free Ambition:Where do you currently live?
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| Arkansas Razorbacks Home Stadium |
Derell Spires:I currently reside in Fayetteville, Ar. Home of the University of Arkansas.
King Pimpin - Negus
(Produced by Tay Keith)
Free Ambition:
The
name King Pimpin originated from your $entury 21 days, where did that
name come from?
Derell Spires:I started out as D.J. Pimpin. My homeboy told me I needed something more
royal cause I reminded him of a King. He said we gonna make the world
refer to you as King.  |
| King Pimpin |
Free Ambition:Tell
us about Dirt Road Records, and it's mission with indie music
artists?
Derell Spires:Well Myself, See Right and Charles Martel organized a record label to
give the youngsters in our very small and poverty stricken area hope. To
show them that the same things you see people in entertainment doing on
television are doable by you.
Derell Spires:I once helped write a song for Grammy award winning artists L.V. I have also worked with one of the Pioneers of the Hyphy
movement in the Bay Area, Krushadelic.
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| https://twitter.com/Krushadelic |
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| Brotha Bill |
Free Ambition:Name
a few favorites from your own music.
Derell Spires:I'm really proud of everything we accomplished while Dirt Road
Records was active. Our First release Dirty Dayz put us on the
underground rap scene map in Arkansas. Our second release HGD solidified
our status as underground standouts. We also did some work on the Two
Degrees Motion Picture Soundtrack.
In 2005 Me and fellow Dirt Road record founder See Right actually scored the Motion Picture Tears of a clown starring Don D.C. Curry. However , I also proud of new projects I am apart of. The King Pimpin Sextape, my first solo release. And the Marvelous Flylife Album (FlyLife Mg)
Free Ambition:Please introduce the newest group you are a member of, Fly Life MG and the names of your fellow members.
Derell Spires: Just life itself. People close to you that are not supportive. for me having to work a 9 to 5 to help support my two kids. An artist needs to be able to create without any restrictions. but you gotta do what you gotta do.
In 2005 Me and fellow Dirt Road record founder See Right actually scored the Motion Picture Tears of a clown starring Don D.C. Curry. However , I also proud of new projects I am apart of. The King Pimpin Sextape, my first solo release. And the Marvelous Flylife Album (FlyLife Mg)
Free Ambition:Please introduce the newest group you are a member of, Fly Life MG and the names of your fellow members.
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| Fly Life MG |
Derell Spires:The new movement I am a part of currently is Flylife MG. The members are Myself, Fly Solo, Gizzle Man, and Chief tha Producer
Free Ambition:What
is the lifestyle Fly Life MG represents? Is there a message in your
music?
Derell Spires: First of all we are a music group. We make music first. Second, We not
all about the "Gangsta" element in our music. However very real, our
music reflects our genuine love of life. Not saying that the life we
lead is all positive, we try to attack our listeners from every angle. In
other words our lifestyle comes thru in our music.
Free Ambition:What
is your opinion of the current state of Hip Hop? Do you think Hip
Hop is as an art form is dying, or going in to it's next successful
phase?
Derell Spires: See me personally, I'm a music lover. I like good music. A hip hop head
is heavily into lyrics. While I do search for lyrical content it has to
sound good along with the beat. Good lyrics with a whack melody doesn't
do it for me and vice verse Its some good music out there. As good as
the 80's and 90's? No. but if you go backwards and ask older people about
music for the current generation they gonna say the same thing. I think
its up to the artists to make good music. that's our responsibility to the
world.
Free Ambition: What are some of the obstacles you have run into creating yourself as a music artist?
Free Ambition: What are some of the obstacles you have run into creating yourself as a music artist?
Derell Spires: Just life itself. People close to you that are not supportive. for me having to work a 9 to 5 to help support my two kids. An artist needs to be able to create without any restrictions. but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Free Ambition:
Do
you have any advice to offer new music artists? Any Do's or Don't's.
Derell Spires: Cant tell 'em how you make a million dollars or be famous. But I will say
this; only allow yourself and your creativeness to be censored when it
has to be.
Derell Spires: A lot of Twitter and Facebook. Music Videos. Live Shows. My website.
Free Ambition:How
are you currently promoting yourself?
Derell Spires: A lot of Twitter and Facebook. Music Videos. Live Shows. My website.
Free Ambition:How
can people follow you with social media?
Derell Spires: On Facebook add me Derell Spires. Also like my
fan page The King Pimpin Sextape.
Twitter @kingpimpin870 www.dirtroadking.com www.reverbnation.com/
fan page The King Pimpin Sextape.
Twitter @kingpimpin870 www.dirtroadking.com www.reverbnation.com/
Free Ambition:Who
inspired you?
Derell Spires: Early on I was inspired by Eastern Arkansas music pioneer Earnest
Williams. I actually give him and Charles Martel credit into starting me
out back in 1995. But Williams drive and determination caught my eye. I
knew I had the same drive and follow thru.
Next year I want to dedicate time to doing short movies and
soundtracks and helping others produce their projects. I plan to drop The
sextape Vol.2 and 3 and ride off into the sunset as Solo artist.
Free Ambition: Did anyone in the music industry motivate to be successful? Who, and why?
Derell Spires: D.J. Paul and Juicy J. of Three 6 Mafia. We grew
up listening to them in the early 90's when they were underground. To
see their rise to national stardom is an inspiration in itself and lets me
know it can be done.
Free Ambition: Where
do you see yourself in a year?
Free Ambition:Where
do you shop?
Derell Spires:Oh I'm definitely a bargain shopper. T.J. Maxx, Ross, Gordmans, etc. I
have a motto, rite now if it cost more than 60 bucks you prolly wont see
me in it. You would be more likely to see my kids in it.
Free Ambition:What
is your style?
Derell Spires: I'm not a flashy type guy in music or fashion. my style of dress is
pretty much jeans n tees. musically, as a solo artist I like to focus on
sexual music. That's the one thing everybody does, and if they ain't doing
it they wanna be. I like animation and energy in my flows. I like to be
the Accent to the situation.
Derell Spires: Michael Jackson without question.Complete Originality. He didn't do his
thing to adhere to the world, he made the world dig him and what he had going on.
Just his work ethic and his drive to be a perfect artist and performer. The most captivating artist of our time.
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| RIP Micheal Jackson |
Just his work ethic and his drive to be a perfect artist and performer. The most captivating artist of our time.
Free Ambition: Did anyone in the music industry motivate to be successful? Who, and why?
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| Three 6 Mafia |
