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Napolean Da Legend
DSB: First, Its a pleasure being able to
interview you, can you introduce yourself to
our readers?
NDL: The pleasure is mine. I certainly
appreciate the look. I am Napoleon Da
Legend Aka the Grimy Gentleman. Let me
start off by making it clear to the masses out
there speculating, I don’t do Gangstar Rap, I
don’t do Conscious Rap, I don’t do Dirty
South Rap, I don’t do Up North Rap, I don’t do
Crunk, I don’t do any of the “conventional” so-
called rap categories that you hear about out
there. I do what I like to call “Reality Rap”.
Harsh and immaculate truths from the heart.
DSB: So tell us, where were you born and
raised?
NDL: Napoleon Da Legend, the son of an
immigrant mom and dad, was born in Paris,
France. We later again migrated to
Washington DC when I was 4. From that
point, I took my opportunities and ran with it.
Even at a young age, I somehow understood
the huge blessing it was for me to be in the
US. Maybe, it was from all the stories of the
American Dream I would hear, or maybe it
came from my cousins back overseas being
so curious about how life was in “Almighty”,
“Hollywood” like America they would see in the
movies. Went from man-child to a man while
living in the infamous D.M.V. Life gets real, we
grow up fast out here out of pure necessity
and will to survive.
DSB: When did you first discover music? Did
you know then that being an artist is what you
interview you, can you introduce yourself to
our readers?
NDL: The pleasure is mine. I certainly
appreciate the look. I am Napoleon Da
Legend Aka the Grimy Gentleman. Let me
start off by making it clear to the masses out
there speculating, I don’t do Gangstar Rap, I
don’t do Conscious Rap, I don’t do Dirty
South Rap, I don’t do Up North Rap, I don’t do
Crunk, I don’t do any of the “conventional” so-
called rap categories that you hear about out
there. I do what I like to call “Reality Rap”.
Harsh and immaculate truths from the heart.
DSB: So tell us, where were you born and
raised?
NDL: Napoleon Da Legend, the son of an
immigrant mom and dad, was born in Paris,
France. We later again migrated to
Washington DC when I was 4. From that
point, I took my opportunities and ran with it.
Even at a young age, I somehow understood
the huge blessing it was for me to be in the
US. Maybe, it was from all the stories of the
American Dream I would hear, or maybe it
came from my cousins back overseas being
so curious about how life was in “Almighty”,
“Hollywood” like America they would see in the
movies. Went from man-child to a man while
living in the infamous D.M.V. Life gets real, we
grow up fast out here out of pure necessity
and will to survive.
DSB: When did you first discover music? Did
you know then that being an artist is what you
were destined to do?
NDL: As soon as developed the ability to hear sound in my mom’s belly, I discovered music. Music had a divine
omnipresence in my life since I was conceived. My pops was a music addict and we always had records playing
reggae, soul and pop at the crib. It’s always been part of my life, like my limbs. So it’s the same thing as asking me
when I discovered my arms, they were always by my side right. Much blessings for that.
I had NO idea whatsoever that becoming an artist was even in the cards for me. Never even thought it was
something that I could do. I was such a fan and so consumed by the feeling I got from listening to it, I never even
contemplated it. Fell in love with Hip-hop early, but it wasn’t until I seen some of my boys rapping and recording it on
tape that I actually believed it was at arms reach for me. Then, even when I started spitting, it was liberating
experience for me, but never did I intend for it to become a career of sorts. Time stood still when I was making and
doing music. I was in another zone altogether. Wasn’t until I started seeing the reactions I would get from my peers
and others that I started believing it was something I could actually pursue for myself.
DSB: What are some of your major influences in music?
NDL: All artists that come from the heart and soul with their music influence me. Whether famous or unknown, it don’t
matter, I don’t discriminate. Certainly love the Legends in their genre, such as Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Pun
and G-Rap. I’m influenced by all of them. I love real shit, well crafted, genuine material, point blank.
DSB: I see that you're a versatile artist, blending rap, reggae,and dancehall into your music, do you find that being
a challenge?
NDL: I do what comes natural to me and what’s true to me, you know. I don’t force it. I’m always looking to have the
undeniable freshness in my sound for real. I try not to limit myself to one thing you know. As long as I stay Napoleon
Da Legend on the track, I can flip to anything I please. Everything is a challenge you know, even waking up out of
bed can be a challenge some days lol. I just always try to put my best foot forward and let that feeling take over me.
As far a reggae and dancehall, I have so much love and respect for those vibes, and those artists. I do Reality Rap
in the form of Hip-hop. So, as long as the instrumental has rhythm and a good vibe, I’m a do my thing on it. So when
I hop on a reggae influenced beat or what not, I’m bringing that Hip-Hop to it, that NDL shit.
DSB: How do you feel about where Hip-Hop is going today?
NDL: I try not to pay so much attention to where it’s “supposedly” going and where the “industry” is trending towards.
Hip-hop evolved into becoming big business you know. I drop my jewels for the People with an all-encompassing,
capital “P”, first and foremost. I ain’t trying to Hefty bag my sound like that. Gotta remain fresh. The one thing I can
say is that at the time where I fell in love with Hip-Hop, everybody had their own identity and style with the sound.
Nowadays, everything from the artists, to the production, to “swag” is starting to look similar to me. It’s like I catch a
case of Déjà vu every time I turn on the radio or flip the channel on music videos. I’d like to see more surprises,
more “authenticness”. Nothing wack tho, just something truly fresh for my soul to feel. I truly believe that the overall
feeling you get when you talk to people is that they are tired of the same ol’ cookie cutter rap songs.
DSB: Any big projects we should be looking out for? Such as a mixtape, the next hot album?
NDL: Yea I got things in store for this year and the future. I’ll be dropping some science for yall here and there, just
keep ya third eye open. Album coming soon, ain’t much more to be said. It will be my first ever.
DSB: Other than your music, any other projects we should have our eye out for?
NDL: Got many collabs in the works with artists from the D.M.V. as well as abroad. My man 4Dubb coming out with a
Street Code project I’m a be featured on. Working with my people Knowledge Born from the Chi, Ransom from the D.
M.V, Black Ice from QBC and Rasi Caprice from the D.M.V. also on different projects. All certified flame spitters. Also
check me out on the latest “We All Sinking with the Ship” video featuring Doe Cigapom, Adversary and myself where
we promote unity in the D.M.V. as artists.
DSB: Where can our readers get more info on you?
NDL: You can follow me on twitter.com/napoleondaleg where you can catch updates and what the hell I’m up to.
Also, on myspace.com/napoleondalegend. You can always google the name and see the latest things to hit the web.
DSB: Once again thank you on the interview, any last words you would like to leave our readers with?
NDL: Appreciate yall reaching out to me for this. I just want to take the opportunity to sincerely thank everybody for
the love they’ve been showing for my music. Expect much more fire from me in the near future, as well as many
surprises. I constantly remind myself that this music thing is a gift and not an entitlement. More love, less violence,
more unity. Put ya gun away and shake a brother’s hand. Most importantly my heart and prayers go to the
thousands affected by the earthquake out in Haiti. They are already one of the poorest countries in the world and
now this is happening. I urge everybody to help out even if it’s a penny. Love is love.
Interview conducted by Reezy
Email: Reezy@DaStreetBuzz.com
www.twitter.com/StarReeZZy
NDL: As soon as developed the ability to hear sound in my mom’s belly, I discovered music. Music had a divine
omnipresence in my life since I was conceived. My pops was a music addict and we always had records playing
reggae, soul and pop at the crib. It’s always been part of my life, like my limbs. So it’s the same thing as asking me
when I discovered my arms, they were always by my side right. Much blessings for that.
I had NO idea whatsoever that becoming an artist was even in the cards for me. Never even thought it was
something that I could do. I was such a fan and so consumed by the feeling I got from listening to it, I never even
contemplated it. Fell in love with Hip-hop early, but it wasn’t until I seen some of my boys rapping and recording it on
tape that I actually believed it was at arms reach for me. Then, even when I started spitting, it was liberating
experience for me, but never did I intend for it to become a career of sorts. Time stood still when I was making and
doing music. I was in another zone altogether. Wasn’t until I started seeing the reactions I would get from my peers
and others that I started believing it was something I could actually pursue for myself.
DSB: What are some of your major influences in music?
NDL: All artists that come from the heart and soul with their music influence me. Whether famous or unknown, it don’t
matter, I don’t discriminate. Certainly love the Legends in their genre, such as Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Pun
and G-Rap. I’m influenced by all of them. I love real shit, well crafted, genuine material, point blank.
DSB: I see that you're a versatile artist, blending rap, reggae,and dancehall into your music, do you find that being
a challenge?
NDL: I do what comes natural to me and what’s true to me, you know. I don’t force it. I’m always looking to have the
undeniable freshness in my sound for real. I try not to limit myself to one thing you know. As long as I stay Napoleon
Da Legend on the track, I can flip to anything I please. Everything is a challenge you know, even waking up out of
bed can be a challenge some days lol. I just always try to put my best foot forward and let that feeling take over me.
As far a reggae and dancehall, I have so much love and respect for those vibes, and those artists. I do Reality Rap
in the form of Hip-hop. So, as long as the instrumental has rhythm and a good vibe, I’m a do my thing on it. So when
I hop on a reggae influenced beat or what not, I’m bringing that Hip-Hop to it, that NDL shit.
DSB: How do you feel about where Hip-Hop is going today?
NDL: I try not to pay so much attention to where it’s “supposedly” going and where the “industry” is trending towards.
Hip-hop evolved into becoming big business you know. I drop my jewels for the People with an all-encompassing,
capital “P”, first and foremost. I ain’t trying to Hefty bag my sound like that. Gotta remain fresh. The one thing I can
say is that at the time where I fell in love with Hip-Hop, everybody had their own identity and style with the sound.
Nowadays, everything from the artists, to the production, to “swag” is starting to look similar to me. It’s like I catch a
case of Déjà vu every time I turn on the radio or flip the channel on music videos. I’d like to see more surprises,
more “authenticness”. Nothing wack tho, just something truly fresh for my soul to feel. I truly believe that the overall
feeling you get when you talk to people is that they are tired of the same ol’ cookie cutter rap songs.
DSB: Any big projects we should be looking out for? Such as a mixtape, the next hot album?
NDL: Yea I got things in store for this year and the future. I’ll be dropping some science for yall here and there, just
keep ya third eye open. Album coming soon, ain’t much more to be said. It will be my first ever.
DSB: Other than your music, any other projects we should have our eye out for?
NDL: Got many collabs in the works with artists from the D.M.V. as well as abroad. My man 4Dubb coming out with a
Street Code project I’m a be featured on. Working with my people Knowledge Born from the Chi, Ransom from the D.
M.V, Black Ice from QBC and Rasi Caprice from the D.M.V. also on different projects. All certified flame spitters. Also
check me out on the latest “We All Sinking with the Ship” video featuring Doe Cigapom, Adversary and myself where
we promote unity in the D.M.V. as artists.
DSB: Where can our readers get more info on you?
NDL: You can follow me on twitter.com/napoleondaleg where you can catch updates and what the hell I’m up to.
Also, on myspace.com/napoleondalegend. You can always google the name and see the latest things to hit the web.
DSB: Once again thank you on the interview, any last words you would like to leave our readers with?
NDL: Appreciate yall reaching out to me for this. I just want to take the opportunity to sincerely thank everybody for
the love they’ve been showing for my music. Expect much more fire from me in the near future, as well as many
surprises. I constantly remind myself that this music thing is a gift and not an entitlement. More love, less violence,
more unity. Put ya gun away and shake a brother’s hand. Most importantly my heart and prayers go to the
thousands affected by the earthquake out in Haiti. They are already one of the poorest countries in the world and
now this is happening. I urge everybody to help out even if it’s a penny. Love is love.
Interview conducted by Reezy
Email: Reezy@DaStreetBuzz.com
www.twitter.com/StarReeZZy