I’ve been following Big Homie D.O.E. for a while now. His catchy hooks and lyrics to go along with them made him stand out amongst the pack, and his recent move to our homie Naledge’s Brainiac Society has only served to increase his visiblity, improve his work ethic, and place him in the right situation where opportunity meets preparation. Many people wondered how the somewhat intellectual approach of Naledge would work with the “in your face” personality of The Big Homie D.O.E., but as he said, it’s not as much of a stretch as some may think. Sticking to his vision to “express the thoughts and feelings of myself, my peers and others through timeless music,” D.O.E. has found synergery with Naledge through similar goals pertaining to the music. With that being his main focus there’s almost no way that Naledge and D.O.E. couldn’t work well together because at the end of the day making timeless music is what Hip-Hop is all about, right?
RH’s Ashydakid caught up with The Big Homie D.O.E. for a candid First Look. Check it out below..
RubyHornet: So, the Big Homie D.O.E. is kind of new on the scene. So can you tell our readers your vision and sort of what you’re out to accomplish?
Big Homie D.O.E.: Well…my vision is to express the thoughts and feelings of myself, my peers and others through timeless music. I plan to the be the voice of Chicago music. We have great artists that are out now from the Chi, but the picture of the whole Chicago has yet to be painted. I want people to hear my music and vision every aspect of the city, good or bad. By this city being so diverse, it adds to my imagination and creativity and lets me touch on a lot of different subjects.
RubyHornet: I know you used to be with a group called FLY Ent. What caused you to make the move to Naledge’s camp, Brainiac Society?
Big Homie D.O.E.: F.L.Y ENT is not a group, it’s my label that I started in 2006, and I am still very much involved with my company. I signed to Naledge’s Brainiac Society in early 2009 as a solo artist after performing at a Mikkey Halsted event. I chose to sign because I felt it was a great opportunity for me. Also, I respected the vision that Naledge had for the movement, as well as the plan to further assist with my career.
RubyHornet: How has that transition been working out for you?
Big Homie D.O.E.: It’s been great, very smooth. I’ve been getting a lot of work done, as well as huge features. People may think our music and style would contrast, but it worked out great. At the end of the day we’re all artists, and share the same passion for music.
RubyHornet: What have you picked up from being around Naledge that you could see yourself needing in order to gain that success in the game?
Big Homie D.O.E.: Well, I can say he works extremely hard. I’ve learned that, Lol…Every time I come to the studio, I better have some 16’s stashed somewhere. You never know what Naledge may want a verse for. Overall, I’ve learned to be prepared for anything, and capitalize on everything.
RubyHornet: Almost everyone knows that Naledge attended college and Rawkus sort of used that in marketing Kidz In The Hall’s first LP, School Was My Hustle. What’s your approach, or ‘hustle’ to the game?
Big Homie D.O.E.: My approach is somewhat, ‘in your face’…I say that because that’s how a lot of my music is. I was always the type to show out, only because I work so hard. And my music reflects that. I’ve always wanted and hoped for the best out of some of the worst situations, and never gave up. So I feel I have the right to have the confidence that I have in myself. I have that drive to always succeed at whatever I’m doing, if I did it good the first time, I want it to be great the next. That’s how I am.
RubyHornet: So Chicago Picasso just dropped and you’re on it. There’s a track called “Look At Them Hips” featuring Bun B and Curren$y. How does it feel to be on a song with Bun B so quickly?
Big Homie D.O.E.: Yup! Chicago Picasso is on iTunes now! But being new to the rap game, and being on a song with a legend like Bun B is unreal. Being in a situation that I’m in with Naledge is unreal. I feel blessed and obligated to capitalize on everything. Many artists never get a chance to work with artists like Curren$y, Naledge, and Bun B, for me to work with them on one song was a great experience and helpful to my career. It’s a weird feeling working with artists who you respect and listen to, because at one point in your mind your like ‘damn, i gotta go hard on this s**t!’
RubyHornet: A lot of people would probably say they hadn’t really heard you before the Mikkey Halsted listening event. Before you actually performed at that show did you anticipate the importance that it would have play in your career?
Big Homie D.O.E.: No I didn’t realize the importance of that event, and it’s funny because I wasn’t planing on attending, let alone performing. I’ve known Mikkey for years, so when I showed up he wasn’t trying to hear that ‘I ain’t performing’ s**t, lol, good looking big homie! But being there was good for me, that’s how I got back in tune with Dra (Naledge’s assistant), and that was a formal introduction of me to a whole different scene of Chicago Music.
RubyHornet: So I hear that you’re a Soundscape studio rat. From being in the studio so much have you picked up any professional skills in engineering or any other aspect of the industry?
Big Homie D.O.E.: Haha, yeah, I can’t lie about that! I haven’t picked up any engineering skills, but it’s fun to see how different engineers record and their many techniques. I know Kolar does a great job at having the professional environment for artists to feel comfortable.
RubyHornet: Can you tell our readers about any other projects that you have in the making as of now that they should be on the look out for.
Big Homie D.O.E.: I have my Brainiac Society debut coming in just a few weeks (Aug 2009). I got nice production on there along with some good feats. Tha Bizness, Nez & Rio, LoKey, Kosine…it’s gonna be classic. Trust me!!! Other than that, I’m still grinding, recording doing more features. Also I’m on “Cake-A-Holic” Naledge ft. Young Chris: a mixtape banger!! I recently did a verse for “Iraq” (remix) for Big Sean, and something with Ray Cash, so you will always hear from me.
RubyHornet: This will act as a formal introduction to a lot of our readers. Can you tell our readers 3 reason why they should follow and find more of your music and where they can find it?
Big Homie D.O.E.: For one, my music is something new, it’s a breath of fresh air. Secondly, I do music for my peers and those around me. I relate to real people! Lastly, when was the last time you saw a team winning like mine? Haha, ok…96-97 bulls, haha. You can check out some of my music on www.RubyHornet.com, lol I have a dope FITP! myspace.com/flyentdoeboy, and keep up w/ me on twitter.com/DoeMarley.
Photography by: Virgil Solis