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?
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.
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?
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?
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.
RubyHornet: What are your hopes for this mixtape, do they differ from your realistic expectations?
RubyHornet: What was the hardest part in producing The Chicago Bull?
RubyHornet: What was the best part in producing The Chicago Bull?
RubyHornet: What is one thing you learned about yourself during the course of putting this together?
RubyHornet: What is something you learned about the music industry here in Chicago during this process that will help you succeed?