Big Deal Bill$: First of a Dying Breed

Big Deal Bill$ is a Brooklyn born rapper raised in the streets of Red Hook who has had a passion for creating music that began at age 12, influenced by artists such as Biggie Smalls, Method Man & Jay-Z.  Although his teenage years were riddled with drug selling and violence which eventually lead him to prison, in 1999 Bill$ founded a hip hop collective, “Dying Breed“, an extension of himself comprised of many other talented artists. Upon his release from prison, Bill$ choose to take his music more serious and started his career in earnest in 2009. Since then, Bill$ has performed in several New York City hip hop hot spots, such as the Time Square Arts Center, Marfa Lounge, Bowery Poetry Club, just to name a  few. He has also worked with underground artist like T. Parris, Trife Boss, General GC and a host of others. Bill$ can be seen on Booth Burners DVD Vol. 2 and heard on DJ G Hanes’ Back On the Grind Vol. 5.

Bill$ is out to set a trend of a more “down to earth” hip hop, expressing his true reality through his music. His motto is simple: “The more real you are with your music, the better the sound.” Big deal Bills is the newest winner at the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program and N.A.B. caught up with Bill$ to discuss his win and his movement.

N.A.B.: Congrats on your recent win at The Elegant Hoodness Musical Program. Tell me about your first experience at Elegant Hoodness, what was going through your mind before hitting the stage, and your feelings after your performance. Did you know you would win?

BIG DEAL BILL$: My first experience performing for the Elegant Hoodness Musical Program was CRAZY! Hitting Bowery Poetry Club’s stage in front of a big crowd had my blood rushing! They had some good people rocking with me on stage too. I have high confidence in my music and my performance, but did I know I was going to win? Nah. I just did me.

N.A.B.: What does BIG DEAL BILL$ mean?

BIG DEAL BILL$: Well, Bill$ has been my rap name for the past 11 years. The “Big Deal” part of it is symbolizing the confidence I have in my personality and my music. Might sound cocky but my persona and music together can make people feel more confident about listening to unsigned hip hop, and that’s a “Big Deal”.

N.A.B.: How long were you incarcerated? And while you were incarcerated was music a big part of your survival in jail?

BIG DEAL BILL$: I was away for 2 1/2 years. Maxed out too! Writing lyrics during that time was a means of mental survival. Not physical.

N.A.B.: Do you think you have found your lane in music because of being locked up for so long?

BIG DEAL BILL$: Yes, I did find my lane in music in prison. The reason being is the fact that I was doing a lot of self realization and examination, which helped me tap into my passion for making music much deeper and more real. Instead of writing battle raps that where filled with little truth and a lot of imagination, I started writing my life. That’s why people can appreciate my music, because I don’t escape my reality.

N.A.B.: Can you break down “Dying Breed” for our readers?

BIG DEAL BILL$: “Dying Breed” is a state of mind that is expressed through the way I live. Honesty and loyalty with no hidden agendas make my team and I a “Dying Breed”. You don’t come across too many people that display those characteristics consistently nowadays. Funny thing is, you could tell an artist is a “New Breed” through the music he or she makes, by listening to their lyrics and seeing their lifestyle doesn’t add up to what the audience hears. Fake! I’m ME, 100% of the time. 24/7, 365! So are my people around me. That makes us, or anyone displaying these characteristics, a “Dying Breed”.

N.A.B.: You are very energetic and passionate in your stage performance. How important is it to “bring the house down” when you’re doing a live show?

BIG DEAL BILL$: It’s important for me to give a great performance because the crowd needs to be entertained, so they could look forward to my next performance. Bottom line… Sure my music may have you bopping your head while it’s in your ear, but I want to make you move your body when I’m on stage. My fatalistic nature gets me caught up in the moment of telling my story, so I get extra energy to do so because, well, it’s ME you’re listening to. Can’t sound one way on a track and be another way on stage. There has to be a balance. You get me!?

N.A.B.: What is your goal musically for 2010?

BIG DEAL BILL$: My goal musically for 2k10 is to release my debut EP Count Me In. It’s a classic! Trust me. Also, to get Dying Breed’s engine up and running. I got some talented people with me who are ready for the world.

N.A.B.: Any shouts out and last words for our readers?

BIG DEAL BILL$: I would like to say this, perfect planning and consistently being determined to make your dreams reality will pay off. Just as long as you don’t let nothing, and I do mean NOTHING, hold you back! ‘Pac said it best: “Against All Odds”. Big shout out to Birthplace Magazine for the interview. Shout to A.D. The General, for the opportunity to grace The Elegant Hoodness Musical Program’s Bowery Poetry Club stage. Shout out to Dying Breed. Shouts to all who have helped me follow my path in this music biz. Follow me on Twitter @bigdealbills. Five of my tracks are on www.myspace.com/bigdealbills to listen to along with show dates. Any producers or promoters want to howl at me or for any bookings, hit me up bigdealbills@gmail.com.

Written by A.D. The General and Ms Fefe (N.A.B)