LANK DIZZIM
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LANK DIZZIM

Jacksonville, FL | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF | AFM

Jacksonville, FL | SELF | AFM
Established on Jan, 2013
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"An Interview with Prolegend Movement Artist, Lank Dizzim"

Prolegend Movement artist Lank Dizzim talks with Coyote Music about his new mixtape Hustlemania.

NOTE: Lank Dizzim is currently participating in Music for Good on Reverbnation. Through that initiative, proceeds of select singles are given to Oxfam America, an organization that fights poverty worldwide.

Charity aside, Lank Dizzim's here to talk about Hustlemania, his new mixtape released on April 1, 2013. The anticipation's been high on this one because it was originally scheduled to drop in 2012. So, let's get right to it: you can listen to Hustlemania and download it at www.datpiff.com/profile/lankdizzim.
Coyote Music:Where did the name Lank Dizzim come from?

Lank Dizzim: Lank Dizzim is the name I've been using since around 2001. My government name is Langston so I have always been called Lank for short. The Dizzim came from West Coast influences, namely Snopp Dogg. So for a while my friends added Dogg to the end of my name, so they'd say "What's up Lank Dogg?"...Dogg eventually became Dizzim.

CM: Your influences include West Coast & East Coast rappers, which typically means L.A. and NYC. Coming from Jacksonville, did you feel much pull either to either coast, or were you able to appreciate the music and rhymes apart from any regional tension?

LD: I remember being drawn to more of the West Coast music as far as production and the type of sound that I could eventually hear myself rapping, too. As far as rhyming style and pattern—similes and metaphors—I picked that up from East Coast rappers. The regional tension never swayed my listening choices. I was always able to listen to the songs without bias and initially if the beat was dope followed by dope rhymes, I was a fan.

CM: In your earliest days, your bio talks about an episode of "stage fright" when you were on stage doing a 'say no to drugs' rap. Can you remember any of those rhymes today?

LD: [laughs] It went something like this:

To the man in the big house with 3-piece suits
to the poor guys who want a lot of loot,
drugs are destroying our generation,
if this continues there will be no education,
for kids like us who want to grow up,
and have strongs minds that wont erupt...ughhh!"

CM: Awesome! Thanks for sharing that. Maybe one day I'll show you the video from my band playing my 11th grade talent show. On the 'say no to drugs' tip, since that movement gave you your first gig, what do you think about the presence and promotion of drug use in a lot of today's music? It it just for show? Damaging? Helpful? "Midget Reggie" seems like a dictionary-quality reference tool for weed terminology.

LD: I think the presence of drugs will always be in the music because, unfortunately, drugs have become apart of American culture. But I do think the promotion of it is over-saturated. I mean, I'm sure several artists use them but they don't promote it. I feel like drug use is a personal choice and no one should be pressured into it. But I do understand the music, pop culture, swag, peer-pressure and several other factors do have an influence on our youth—same as it did when I was an adolescent. Drug use has to be a decision people make on their own though. Its presence in music is mostly for show. I think if you make a song about drugs, you must discuss the pros and cons. What we usually hear is all the pros and none of the cons, and this is the damaging effect. In the end it can help an artist sell a record because it's the nature of the society we live in, and the record business is about selling records. And, yes, "Midget Reggie" is a reference for good ol' grass. [laughs].


CM: Tell everyone about The Prolegend Movement. You have two producers and four lyricists. How do six people come together to create something like your latest mixtape, Hustlemania?

LD: The Prolegend Movement is a power house, really and the full potential of this group has not been realized yet. It consists of four individuals, Lank Dizzim, Laf Legend, J.CO, and Mass Pro. We all are lyricists. Mass Pro and Laf Legend double as producers. The Prolegend Movement has several releases online and on iTunes—make sure you go check out all Prolegend's music! Prolegend is also a publishing company for all of the members of the group. Here's how it gets tricky: we all are solo artists as well, like Wu-Tang Clan. I came up with the Hustlemania concept and my 3 comrades came together with me to help put it out. Mass Pro laid some fire ass tracks down for me, specifically "Good Green," which will is the lead single of Hustlemania. Laf Legend and J.CO came in and laid down some verses, helped develop song concepts, and helped with promotions.

CM: Something stylistically about "Grade A" reminds me of the sounds I'd hear in my old neighborhood of Flatbush, Brooklyn, where there was a big West Indies influence. Am I way off, or is there some island influence somewhere in your production and writing?

LD: [laughs] People ask me if I'm Jamaican sometimes, but no, not specifically. I do however feel like i have a connection to the universal African and Caribbean soul that is found in all of our people worldwide and therefore it may come out in the music subconsciously.

CM: Hustlemania contains the hook from Michael Sembello's "Maniac," popularized in the movie Flashdance. How did that hook move from a 1983 movie into this mixtape?

LD: That song was all Laf Legend. He is the master when it comes to concepts for songs, especially for The Prolegend Movement. Once Laf knew my "hustlemania" concept for the whole album, he came to me like " Lank I got an idea," and I rarely decline his musical advice. So I rolled with it, and it became one of the best tracks on the mixtape. All I had to do was lay a 16 down.

CM: What is *your* role in Prolegend? As someone listens to your mixtape, talk about your presence in its production (do you write much, come up with track ideas, etc.).

LD: My role is Prolegend is two part. Musically, I come up with some concepts, but I'm usually known for having a great verse. There was a time when I was producing but It has taken a backseat for the last couple of years. The other role with Prolegend is the business end, where I function as a lead when it comes to paperwork such as publishing, EPK's, promotion, planning, travel, and the branding of our name.

CM: The Prolegend Movement is based in Florida, so I'm gonna put you on the spot. Which way does Prolegend roll: Seminoles, Gators, Hurricanes, or new blood like the UCF, USF, or FIU?


LD: We have a divided house: I'm a 'Nole, J.CO is a Gator, Laf Legend actually attended both schools and I'm not sure what Mass Pro is...

CM: What's next? Riding Hustlemania for a while? Promoting it? Already working on the next release?

LD: 2013 is all about promoting Hustlemania. My next release will be the following year. The Prolegend Movement, Laf Legend and J.CO all have efforts coming in summer and fall of 2013 as well, so stay tuned for all our releases

CM: Is Lank Dizzim about live shows, or is it mostly about producing tracks for clubs and parties? How do you balance performing live with recording and producing?

LD: I'm all about the live show, I love it. I'm also about creating the music that can be played in the clubs and parties as well. I strive to be versatile in these two arenas. It's hard to balance both, but I try to create the product first then promote and perform it, that's usually the cycle.

CM: Finally, from a modern-day approach to the music biz, how does Prolegend approach getting your music to new audiences? Do you try to get in with a major label, or stick with a grassroots approach?

LD: We are using a hybrid of both. Locally, I try to create a buzz in Florida, and I also try to get outside of my territory by using the internet. As far as record deals go, until someone cuts a big enough check, I'm an independent artist signed to PLMG Inc. (Prolegend Music Group).

CM: Thanks for your time, Lank. The mixtape is great. I hope a ton of people check out Hustlemania and download it. Best of luck to you and the entire Prolegend crew. - Coyote Music


"Lank Dizzim: Music With A Purpose"

From notable styles and a stunning stage presence, Lank Dizzim’s music is standing out as an entity all its own. The quality of art, music, and dedication put forth by the industrious artist is definitely making a mark and impact on the music community. It won’t be long before you hear Lank Dizzim’s music nationwide and internationally. Major moves are being made by this amazing talent.

The emcee out of Jacksonville, FL has been writing and recording music for over 10 years. “My musical influences come from artists such as Nas, Snoop Dogg, A Tribe Called Quest, Outkast, and 2Pac. I enjoy making music with a purpose and storytelling,” Lank Dizzim mentions. To date he’s released two mixtapes, Hustlemania (2013) and Vice Gripz (2016), that are available on Datpiff.

Lank Dizzim’s upcoming projects are currently underway with new production and songwriting. “I am campaigning my mixtape Vice Gripz for further promotion and exposure to gain more fans,” he explains when asked what the future holds for his most recent release.

www.youtube.com/lankdizzim
www.soundcloud.com/lankdizzim - RBL


"Lank Dizzim: Find A Platform And Do You"

Skilly: Where did this all start? Tell us about your journey in the entertainment business.
Lank Dizzim: My Journey began in the year 2000 when I started recording at professional studios. Prior to 2000 I was always rapping and writing music with friends in school. In 2003 I joined a rap group called The Prolegend Movement and we released 3 projects and performed in countless venues until 2010. In 2010 I began focusing on my solo career and in 2012 I released my debut mixtape HustleMania which was well received locally.

What would be your biggest piece of advice for the young kids out there trying to do what you do?
The biggest piece of advice I would give to youngsters getting into the business is to just be yourself and trust yourself. Find good mentors to help along the way, but ultimately follow your own vision, have fun, and make music that makes you happy.

What are some of the hardest challenges and tasks in your position?
The hardest challenges in my position are to balance my home and family life with entertainment and industry life. From traveling to budgeting, there is a fine line artists have to walk to keep it all together.

We all know the entertainment business is very tough, but what do you find is the best way to promote and advertise your music?
I find the best way to promote my music is to do everything I can do myself on social media, and then also to enlist the help of other services online to spread your campaign.

Tell us about your city. How are the artists and the fans?
Jacksonville, FL is known as the first coast of Florida. It’s usually always warm and people are generally friendly. The artist base here is very large, but we are not necessarily a music market. The artists here typically hold showcases and bring bigger national acts here to help the scene thrive a bit more. Many artists collaborate and the fans are supportive.

Where do you see yourself a year from today?
I see myself traveling the U.S. and performing for larger audiences with a charting single in rotation nationally.

Who and what were your biggest inspirations? Who do you look up to in today’s world?
My biggest inspirations in life were my parents and older brothers. My parents taught me to never give up and keep pressing forward no matter what. My older brothers were entrepreneurs and also introduced me to rap music. Today, I look up to free thinkers and people standing up for injustice and inequality no matter who they are.

How do you feel about the music coming out today? Do you like it?
I like most of the music coming out today except for anything promoting heavy designer drug use. I like the music with storylines and plots or have a positive message in them.

Where can we contact you and find you online?
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/lankdizzim
YouTube: www.youtube.com/lankdizzim
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lankdizzim
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lankdizzim - Skilly Magazine Online


Discography

2003 -  The Prolegend Movement -  "Revolution Revalationz" - Debut Studio album

2010 - The Prolegend Movement - "Black Diamonds EP"

2011 - The Prolegend Movement - "Black Diamonds Mixtape"

2012 - The Prolegend Movement - " Daily Bread Mixtape"

2013 - LANK DIZZIM - " Hustlemania Mixtape"

2017 - LANK DIZZIM - "VICE GRIPZ  Mixtape" hosted by DJ SMOKE


Photos

Bio

A native of Jacksonville, FL, LANK DIZZIM grew up on the city's
Northwest side. Mainly influenced by his older brother, the inner city neighborhoods, and 90's Hip Hop, he began writing Rap music as a teen. Influenced by rappers like Chubb Rock, A Tribe Called Quest, Outkast, 2pac, Snoop Dogg and Dj Quik, LANK DIZZIM , with brother, Laf Lgend, and childhood friends, Mass Pro, and J.Co formed the Hip-Hop Group " The Prolegend
Movement"in 2003. The Prolegend Movement would go on to record over the
next decade putting out local music and video releases. LANK DIZZIM began is solo recording career in 2012 and has released two mixtape projects. Lank Dizzim's latest project " VICE GRIPZ" is currently available on Datpiff.com. Support LANK DIZZIM on all your favorites social media sites @ lankdizzim .




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