Flatbush native native makes foray into urban music

Up-and-coming hip-hop artist D. Julien’s latest release, Ready For Tomorrow will go a long way towards fulfilling his dream of capturing the urban music demographics ranging from the post-tweens to the 30-somethings.

You will be most impressed with this mix-tape production released on May 31.

“This project for me was about progression! This is my life right here,” says the Flatbush, Brooklyn native.

About musical content? D.Julien explores a range of music as vast as Big L, Nas and T.I. to Kings of Leon and Coldplay because of their lyricism. His dream collaborations would include Kanye West and Pharrell …; but only for their production and NOT for their verses?

D. Julien’s past is as critical to understanding his artistry as his present and future. Ask Julien, he’ll tell you he started rhyming at 10 years of age; but his close friends will tell you that it was actually age 7.

The first album he listened to was a CD by Notorious B.I.G. entitled “Ready to Die”. It was that moment when Julien stumbled across the artistic medium of expression he had been seeking.

For this Brooklynite, influences like B.I.G. and Jay-Z were “local artists that I didn’t see as global” because they were from his borough.

With a father who was a DJ, Julien learned at a young age the importance of lyricists like Jadakiss, Nas, and Big L, because “these were the artists my pops had laying around: lyrical dudes who told stories” and who were tangible to this youngster because of his locale.

By age 13, he’d be cutting his teeth as a battle rapper, gaining confidence with each victory. By and 16, Julien would leave the battle circuit to embark on the journey of structuring songs and “making music.”

Peruse any D. Julien mp3, and you’ll find songs absent of profanity and racially-charged terms; ask Julien, and he’ll tell you that choice “enhances my situation more than hindering me.

“Kanye opened the lane to really be yourself for real, as opposed to being a character. That opens it for me because the music becomes more personal. I’m trying to express emotions to help people connect with my content.”

At the young age of 19, D. Julien understands the potential opportunities he has to branch out within various facets of the entertainment industry. But with major label interest for well over a year based on his self-made buzz, musical prowess, lyricism, artistry and unorthodox content choices, Julien’s focus remains the same: expression and honesty through his music.

“I’m going to continue to do what I’m doing and make music I believe in. I’ll be one of the top artists in this genre. But right now I’m trying to transition from the underground to the next level.”

A young musical scholar who is a student of the past, using the classics to inform his present. The recipe for the futuristic science of spit…meet the future of hip-hop: D. Julien.

Please visit his website at – www.djulien-music.com