Big Homie D.O.E.

We properly met Big Homie D.O.E. in the winter of ’09 after he wowed us at Mikkey Halsted’s release party, then continue to capture our attention via his movement with Naledge’s Brainiac crew.  While Naledge served to elevate D.O.E’s visibility, it’s been the Big Homie that has capitalized on the open doors, smashing through them like a bull in a china store.  It’s a continuing theme for the Windy City emcee, who titled his latest project The Chicago Bull as a way to describe a never-dying love for his city as well as his tenacity towards his career.

While the mixtape is D.O.E.’s 4th overall, and 3rd with DJ Sean Mac, it’s almost like a debut project as the amount of people following the rising emcee has grown considerably with radio play, show bookings, and internet features.  The streets are buzzing, and we caught up with D.O.E. to ask him some questions about his long-awaited mixtape.  Check it out below.

RubyHornet:  Tell us a little bit about this mixtape, why did you decide to title it The Chicago Bull?  I believe it went through a few delays and changes in size and shape.

Big Homie D.O.E.: The Chicago Bull is hosted by DJ Sean Mac, my 3rd tape with Mac. I wanted to keep this very “mixtape” so to speak. I have originals songs on there, and some freestyles over some nice ‘industry’ beats. The name Chicago Bull, came from my mentality to music and my love for my city. The delays were just me capitalizing off shows, radio play, etc.

RubyHornet:
 Your mixtape is titled The Chicago Bull.   Which former or current Bull do you think would make for the best emcee?

Big Homie D.O.E.:  I believe Derrick Rose will make a good emcee. He’s dominant, a team player, and only gets better with time.

RubyHornet:  Is this your first mixtape?  If so, why is the timing right at this point to drop it?  If I’m not mistaken, you were going to release this last year.

Big Homie D.O.E.:  No, actually this is my 4th, I have 3 with Sean Mac and one with no DJ. I was going to release a ‘street album’ last year, but decided to capitalize off the opportunites I had. There were a lot of great things ahead of me, I felt I should get out do more shows, features, etc.

RubyHornet:  You just released the “Waddup” remix w/Donnis, YP, Scheme, and Mic Terror, what’s the balance between features to help attract eyes vs. too many features that take the attention away from you?  

Big Homie D.O.E.:  The difference between that is timing. You have to know who would fit, and when to put it out. I’d never put out a remix song that big, so it was fun for me. This particular song has been out and gaining buzz for a while. I was blessed to have all the artist that are on there a part of a remix.

RubyHornet:  Who else might we see on the finished product?  Was there any feature in particular that had extra significance to you, like you were buzzing off seeing the verse back in your inbox?

Big Homie D.O.E.

Big Homie D.O.E.:  I kept the features low for the mixtape, and saved them for the album.

RubyHornet:  Where do you see yourself fitting into Chicago’s Hip Hop scene, and do you feel this mixtape will put you in a different “club” so to speak?  Now with a building catalog you can be considered on a more serious level.

Big Homie D.O.E.:  I feel I’m in a good position in the music scene here. I’ve been getting good looks with features and shows, and now its time to show and prove. I feel this mixtape will put me in a different club, it’s a warm up for my upcoming projects I have in store. Anytime you put out music to be heard you want to be taken on a more serious level, it should only get better.

RubyHornet: What are your hopes for this mixtape, do they differ from your realistic expectations?

Big Homie D.O.E.:  My hopes and expectations for The Chicago Bull is to give listeners something fresh, new. I wanted to have fun with this mixtape and wanted people to enjoy listening to it.

RubyHornet:  What was the hardest part in producing The Chicago Bull?

Big Homie D.O.E.:  I would say the hardest part in producing The Chicago Bull was choosing the right songs. I have some big songs in the vault, and I wanted to give them just enough without giving too much.

RubyHornet:  What was the best part in producing The Chicago Bull?

Big Homie D.O.E.:  The best part of producing the mixtape was the recording process. I love being in the studio, workin on projects.
 
Naledge and Big Homie D.O.E.

RubyHornet:  What is one thing you learned about yourself during the course of putting this together?

Big Homie D.O.E.:  I learned to have paitence and captilize off every opportunity. I also learned that timing is very important.

RubyHornet:  What is something you learned about the music industry here in Chicago during this process that will help you succeed?

Big Homie D.O.E.:  Networking and supporting good artists is key in the Chicago music scene. I would say that’s the most important thing that would help me succeed.
 
Follow D.O.E on Twitter @BigHomieDOE