Dissikuss performs with Tech N9ne
Wednesday, May 25 on the Canuck the Industry Tour
Evergreen Hall 9291 Corbould St., Chilliwack
Show time: 8 p.m.
Admission: $30-$40
Tickets at the door or www.reverbnation.com/dissikuss#!
When Dissikuss moved to Langley last year, it was in pursuit of greater things for his music career. With his producer, Sean (Two-Bit) Lennox, he has been working on a new extended-play disc of about five tracks, to be released directly to iTunes later this year.
Dissikuss started playing around with hip hop beats when he was 14, while he was hanging out with friends, playing ball in Surrey, he said.
In 2008, the rapper decided to take his music and pursue a career in hip hop, using his lyrics to tell true-to-life stories and share his experiences.
“I try to keep it as true to who I am and what I do as possible,” he said.
In 2009, he pre-released his single “Collateral Damage,” which went No.2 among all genres on the MySpace charts. The positive response the song got on MySpace prompted Dissikuss to finish the album, which was released on April 1, 2010 under the same title.
“This, basically, is just a big voice,” Dissikuss said. “I’m in a position where I can get out there and talk to people on a big scale.”
Using the chance to speak to people, he tells them to “take a second and breathe in your life, and realize what you have. Even if you come from different upbringings, different trials and tribulations in your life, you can always find a positive energy in it.”
His rap name, Dissikuss, represents a different message.
“It’s a derivative of ‘I Discuss,’” he said. He’s bringing a raw look into his life, discussing situations in his life in an open forum, sometimes in an encrypted context.
Over the past three years, he has performed with KYPRIOS, Swollen Members, DJ E-Swift and Westcoast Familia — also based out of Langley.
“I’ve never felt more love for my music than when I moved to Langley,” he said.
“The community’s really embraced it.”
Dissikuss writes his own songs, but he gets his inspirations from other artists, beat makers and music genres. Every opportunity to meet with a new artist is a chance to learn, as he tries to make his way to the top.
His latest single, Life Story, was featured on www.hiphopcanada.com in February, 2011.
Like most artists, Dissikuss has an inner critic and as a result, he throws away hundreds of songs to get to 20 and then takes that down to five.
He feels he can get the best creative piece that he can present by collaborating with producers and music workers on his music.
“I’m probably my biggest critic,” said Dissikuss. “I throw a lot of ideas in the garbage can and some people come over and listen to it and say like, ‘What are you talking about? This is actually really good.’”
Representing himself and his music has put him right into the thick of everything in the music industry, from producing in a home-studio, to selling tickets outside of his shows two minutes before the start.
He takes no shortcuts in doing what he can to help his fans enjoy the music in his pursuit of a professional rapping career.
He and Two Bit say that they have even delivered tickets to people’s doors for them.
He worked with Fuel house designs and Ear Art music studios to make Collateral Damage, which he says he sourced thousands of other songs to find inspiration for the 11 on the CD.
“Working with other artists, producers, they’re constantly pushing you to be better,” he said.
To learn more about Dissikuss, to hear his music, or for info about upcoming shows visit http://www.reverbnation.com/dissikuss#! or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dissikuss.