They say that ‘pimpin’ ain’t easy.’ Being a hip hop artist on the prairie music scene used to be more of an uphill battle, before MCs like Regina’s Def3 came along to pave the way. Let’s face it --- Saskatchewan is a far cry from places like Compton or Brooklyn. However, artists like Def3 and his peers have taken the genre and expanded it to fit within our model. And instead of trying to build a career on posing with a hard face, the new breed of hip hop artist is digging in to work harder than T-Pain without his auto tune. And as Def3 will tell you --- hard work pays off. Who’d have thought you could rhyme and be a role model at the same time?
Def3 was a world traveler by the age of six, and made a leap of faith in taking the path he did --- quitting his job to make music his career. He has released (or been featured on) more records than you can shake a mic at, and started his own company called Ship Records, Inc. I sat down with Def3 to shoot the breeze with him about everything from graffiti art to hanging out with Xzibit at Dr. Dre’s studio.
CRAIG SILLIPHANT: First, a little about the man himself. Where did you grow up?
DEF3: I spent most of my life moving around traveling and absorbing the environment around me. I was born in Toronto and then at the age of five, I moved onto a missionary ship called the Anastasis with my family and about 60 others from all over the world. [I] lived on it until I was 11. The company they worked for, Mercy Ships, provided free healthcare, food, and medical supplies to second and third world countries in Central America, Africa, and Europe. Then after that I moved to Texas for a year, and then to Regina.
CRAIG: When did hip hop enter the picture?
DEF3: I started listening to rap and hip hop when I lived in [Texas]. In my junior high school, that was what everyone seemed to be listening to. Shortly after, when I moved to Canada in 93’, that interest led to graffiti culture, which led to [hip hop]. I began with free-styling when I was 14 or 15 and starting messing around recording stuff into a portable cassette player I borrowed from my dad. Then [I borrowed] his turntable, which I later broke, along with most of his audio and stereo equipment over the years.
CRAIG: That led you to making mix tapes, DJing parties, battle rapping, and opening for hip hop acts that came through town. But how did you decide to focus on music full time?
DEF3: I started to teach workshops with inner city youth. That led to several other opportunities within the community and it all snowballed from there. During this time I started recording my first solo album, called "Hug Life", which was basically a reflection of where I was at in my life at the time. I began getting so many opportunities within music and teaching hip hop that one day it just hit me and I took the plunge. I decided to tell my boss off and quit the job I was working, because I hated it. The first few years weren’t easy, but I just kept working at it, constantly grinding and networking.
CRAIG: And then starting Ship Records really solidified things?
DEF3: Once I started Ship Records Inc. it was on. My business became my life. I started it as a vessel to release my friends as well as my own music independently. I am involved in every step of the release beginning to end with writing, recording, mixing, production design, manufacturing, marketing, and booking. I have also acquired a distribution and licensing deal with Universal Music’s Fontana North for my past two records. Running a business has taught me the importance of outsourcing and maximizing your efforts. Risk is everything. Like anything, the more you know about it and the more organized your approach, the better you will do.
CRAIG: Where do you get your ideas? What sorts of things do you write about?
DEF3: I get my ideas from everyday life and everything that happens around me, big and small. There are so many things to write about that it is impossible to run out of subject matter. I just be honest and accept who I am. I write about things that inspire me, make me laugh, make me think, or make me happy, sad, or angry. Whatever comes up comes out. I just make sure that I am always capturing the moment, via recording or through a paint can. The world is my canvas.
CRAIG: How would you describe a Def3 live show?
DEF3: I would say, high energy and usually full of surprise guests. I maintain a positive message in my music and performance and I try to keep people involved, entertained, and dancing if possible.
CRAIG: What major successes have you had over the years?
DEF3: I’ve gotten to do a lot of awesome things through music, rocked some incredible crowds and met a lot of interesting people and celebs over the years. I got the chance to perform a few tracks with Michael Franti and Spearhead at the Regina Folk Festival in 2008. That was awesome. I also got the chance to meet and open for Nas --- one of my favourite rappers. I was given the opportunity to headline the Saskatchewan Pavilion at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics for the first three nights for the opening ceremonies. Those were epic shows. Then immediately following that, I went on a one month European tour. I was also chosen to represent Saskatchewan and perform for Michelle Jean, the [former] Governor General of Canada, for her farewell gala in August this year. I’m really looking forward to what the future brings.
CRAIG: What are some of the places you’ve toured? What was one of the most memorable things you got to experience?
DEF3: I’ve toured throughout the U.S., including Hawaii, Japan, Europe, and all over Canada. One of my most memorable moments on tour was when [Saskatoon hip hop artist] Factor and I were in L.A. in 2009 on the Myka 9 tour. That whole tour itself was amazing. Xzibit was executive producing a record that Factor was making the beats for, so I got the opportunity to go to Xzibit’s house for an afternoon and kick it with him. Then we went to one of Dr. Dre‘s Studios where they recorded a song with him.
CRAIG: What do you think of the Saskatchewan hip hop scene?
DEF3: I think it’s awesome. There are so many talented artists with a wide variety of styles as well as educated fans. Its only weakness is lack of population, but I think this is compensated by an overabundance of support from the fans and the province itself.
CRAIG: Last question --- any advice to up and coming musicians on how to build a career in Saskatchewan?
DEF3: Be yourself and hard work pays off.
For more info, visit www.def3.ca.
By Craig Silliphant for SaskMusic. Photos courtesy Jeff Goff and Chad Coombs. Originally published November/December 2010.
This article is posted as initially published. For reprint/usage permission or any other questions, please contact SaskMusic.
