Who is D-Law?
Residing in Baltimore and having lived in numerous other cities throughout Maryland and Virginia, this region has truly influenced this artist An incredibly skilled and versatile emcee from the Mid-Atlantic, D-Law has shaped his sound through his life experiences which he tries to convey to the listener. To D and his ever expanding following, the Mid-Atlantic States of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC has a sound and a culture of its own. Though the region is below the Mason-Dixon line the culture and music is a harmonious blend of both Northern and Southern culture. This convergence is the basis for what D-Law refers to as Hip-Hop’s “Middle East”.
Born in Norfolk, VA and having grown up in a single parent home in the South Hampton Roads’ cities of Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, D-Law was greatly influenced by music of the eighties, ranging from New Edition and Michael Jackson to LL Cool J and Rakim. Although his taste in music was very eclectic, young Law’s true love was hip-hop culture, specifically the era of the mid to late 90’s. This translates into his music, in which he shows that he is truly a passionate lyricist, with a strong ability to express his story and paint a vivid picture for the masses.
D-Law has been rapping since he was 10 years old. Upon entering his sophomore year of high school he was a founding member of a well-known and respected underground trio called the Verbal Assassins, where he honed his skills as an emcee. This organization consisted of mainly D-Law (then known as Don L Perfection), Third Eye Ariginool and Shorty Dew-Wop. Their crew later expanded and combined with various groups, like the Visual Prophets and Unified Freestyle Organization to name a few. The crew earned a rep throughout high school and the South Hampton Roads community, battling emcees in cafeterias, hallways, buses, street corners and skating rinks. The zenith of the group was a live performance at their high school’s senior assembly. Where they performed in front of 100s. Upon graduation the group disbanded and went there separate ways. Dew-wop and Don L dabbled in drug dealing; Dew-wop in ATL, and Don L in Hampton Roads. Damien balanced street life and rapping with Community College education and ultimately graduated with an Associates Degree in Graphic Design. Damien, like so many other rappers went through several monikers and underground affiliations. Now known as D-LAW; Dangerous Living Accumulates Wealth.
His life’s experiences have brought about a new project, in 2016, entitled Jordan's and a Gold Chain, with production by Paul Cabbin, Danny EB, as well as M Beatz.