P-Duble

About P-Duble

 

P-Duble

As one of the hottest up-n-coming artists in the industry…and more than 10 years older than most of his comrades, P-Duble has experience and maturity to bring to the table.

     P-Duble is thirty-four and was almost 10 years removed from his last release, “Birth Uv A G,” in 1999.  The record, and P-dub’s voice—classics in the now popular, but still young, Christian Hip-Hop World—set the stage for his hiatus and allowed him to learn some important life-lessons until the time was right for him to step back behind the microphone.

     Thanks to the persistence of such cultural icons as Sup C, Mr. Solo and T-Bone and reinforced by a mainstream culture that loves to occasionally dust off classic adages, P-dub has never really left the game, or missed a meal.  He couldn’t be happier that the Lord has continued to fuel his calling into the hip-hop ministry.

     “I appreciate that the Lord has allowed me to still stay in this game and I thank Him for the blessings He has bestowed upon me,” P-dub says. “Not talking financially, just talking about my family, life and being relevant in His scheme.”  P-dub hasn’t relied on samples alone to stay and get back into the game.  He came-back on the scene with a vengeance with his 2006 release, “No One.”  This self-produced project tossed itself into more than 10,000 heads and set the stage for what has been a spiritual re-awakening on a major hip-hop scale.

     As for the rest of his history, P-dub first formed a group with some of his boys called “Dead On Arrival,” back in 1990.  P-Duble dropped himself from the group and saw the remaining duo sign with Philadelphia-based Bodybag Records and release an album…and then…saw it collapse on the shelves.  P-Duble (known as Lil’ Pookie at the time) then proceeded to drop his own underground projects, such as “Blak + Wyte” in 1992, “Bottom of my Boot” in 1994, “Pooc OG: tha’ gangsta’ chronicles” in 1995 and then “Birth Uv A G” in 1999.

     In between these individual releases, he combined with Michigan-based Luppy to form the “Outsiders.”  They worked together and collaborated on one-project that was released in 1996 and opened-up the door for Luppy to jump onto the scene with his own group, “LPOutsiders.” 

     Lup and P-dub saw a future together, but the business and differing aspirations ultimately took a toll on their relationship.  “That relationship got really messed-up for awhile,” P-dub says.  “I was so immature that I wouldn’t allow myself to see eye-to-eye with him, which was a mistake, because he was right and he was so talented and was really the heart and soul of what we were doing. The music business is notorious for breaking up relationships because of everything that it entails. Ego, money.  Those are usually things that are pieces of the problem, but it never should’ve been, especially with where we were both coming-up from and the fact that we were both Christian artists.”

     P-Duble laughs matter-of-factly at the situation, and then turns his attention to today.  He’s preparing to enter the game with a thump through his reincarnated Pike Street music, the same company that released the final three of his previous releases back in the day.

     “One of the singles off this one is called ‘This Is Why…’ and features Mims and is based on the concept of the old records and MC’s.”  The album is titled “If I Die,” but P-dub believes that hip-hop is ready for someone to push the music forward creatively.  “These topics they talkin’ about. We already covered that in the 80’s and 90’s.  You know, ‘I Get Money?’  Why hasn’t the artist progressed conceptually?  They’re not diggin’ deep enough.  I wanted to dig deep and come up with neat concepts and things that haven’t been done before.”

     The high-pitched excitement that characterized his delivery as an MC also shows up in his speaking voice.  In discussing his whereabouts, he’s honest to a possible fault.  He admits that he was and still is hesitant to pick up the mic as a mature adult because many may not want to hear a grown man rap.

     However that hasn’t been the case at all.  The public’s reaction has surprised even P-dub himself.

     “The response has been crazy,” he says about his comments in other interviews, which generated a great deal of fan reaction. “They didn’t touch on the age thing.  Maybe it’s not as big of a deal as I thought it was, but then again the Lord has a way of over-coming even the most ominous of obstacles…there isn’t any that He can’t overcome.  I mean, Jay-Z is older than me.  I’m thirty-four.  He says he’s thirty-eight.  We know Dr. Dre is in his forties.  Even 50 is in his thirties.  Personally, I would like to forget bout that and listen to the music.  If it’s hot, it’s hot.”

 

Influences

Gospel Gangstaz, GRITS, C-Loc, Down South Gangstaz, Crooked Letters, David Banner, DJ's...

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YO! - I'm finally spilling my guts...

user image 2008-03-27
By: kscarlett
Posted in:

What Separates the Amateurs from the Pros

Too many Christian hip-hop artists I meet have no patience. They get all amped up about a new single they are going to drop or a new album they are planning and they are gung ho! After a few hours in the studio, they lose motivation, they lose their drive. "Why is this not working?" They frustratingly ask. Then they get mad, "why doesn't my stuff sound like this or that?" Or they complain that they don't have enough money or time.

    That is a bunch of bologna!
     What it is, is they have no patience. Rome was not built overnight. When you began your training as an artist, it did not come overnight. You did not practice for a year and sound like a pro. It took you years. Why not, then, look to the people who have been doing music production for years, people who have been in the game to help with your project. I mean, if you're going to represent the Lord, then represent Him!  If he's called you to minister through music, then do it to the best of your ability; don't rush it to just get something-out...don't cut-corners because you need to keep-up with the artist down the block...listen to those whom He has placed around you with more experience and what they have to say, advise, etc...they are there for a reason: God put them there!
     I have been practicing my delivery, patter and writing for years. I have fallen and I got back up and became stronger each time. It takes trial and error to get good at this stuff. Paul says in his letter to the Colossians (3:17) - "Whatever you do, do it all for the Glory and Honor of your Lord Jesus Christ." Do you really want to represent Jesus with some half-way done, mediocre production and lyrics that were thrown together on a napkin while you were eating at the local Taco-Bell? Doesn't the Lord deserve the best you have to offer; even if means taking more time and spending more money? "Well, if I spend more time, I'll run out of money and then I'll never get my message out..."...yada, yada, yada...I've heard it all before and you can keep it...I mean, whose message is it really?...and who always has the right timing? Paul speaks about this in his letter to the Phillipians (4:13) - "I can do all things through Jesus Christ whom strengthens me." So, don't give me this I can't afford it or I don't have the time excuses for your uninspired and mediocre releases. I don't care how often other artist's release stuff, it's not a race against anyone, but rather, isn't it a quest to produce something that is going to reach those that need to be reached?
     If you understand music and production enough to even be in a studio, then why not pull-back, not release something till it's completely ready for release and ride with the Lord much more quickly than most.
     What we, as Christian Rap Ministers need to understand is that once you drop something, it's dropped and there's no retracting it. So, when you drop it...really drop it!  Like the bomb it is! Through prayer you'll find the right guidance.
    For example, what works good for one artist's hook and sound might not work good for another. That is why you need to understand who you are, whom God has made you and what direction He is leading you. If you don't understand these three aspects yet, then, you may need to spend some more-time in prayer than in the studio. You see the key to reaching the sick, is giving them the medicine they want and need...even if they don't know they need it.

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