otégé of the artist known as T.I., Young Dro decided to pursue a rap career as an attempt to break the cycle of tribulations from hustling and inner city life. Much of his inspiration came from the success of one of his best friends, Chris “Daddy Mack” Smith from the rap sensation Kris Kros. Young Dro has since been signed with T.I.’s Imprint, Grand Hustle Entertainment-backed by T.I. himself and Atlantic records. Young Dro was most notorious for his infectious “Shoulder Lean” in the summer of 2006. The single is featured on his major label debut Best Thang Smoking released in August 2006. Q: Who are your major influences in the rap arena?
A: “TI, Jay Z, Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs, Lil Wayne and a whole lot more.”
Q: What do you admire most about T.I.?
A: “We’re fighting brothers, we battle a lot, he says yay I say nay, but I love him to death.”
Q: What do you appreciate about growing up in Atlanta?
A: “Befriending the less fortunate in the hood, to me that was a life changing experience, it made me appreciate my city and the struggle I had been through a whole lot more, when I look at my accomplishments now.”
Q: What impact do you think your music has in the rap game?
A: “Well I think it’s changed peoples love of cars (laughs) people have started dressing up cars a whole lot more now, I can say that much.”
Q: How would you describe rappers today?
A: “50% Good stuff and 50% BAD! I’m on the good side though.” (laughs)
Q: Describe your ideal woman.
A: “Taylor Swift” (Breaks out in laughter)
Q: What do you do to relax?
A: “I love watching cartoons man, especially ‘Flap Jack’ and ‘Chowder’.”
Q: What’s your favorite Restaurant in Atlanta?
A: “JJ’s Rib Shack on Campbellton Rd. in ATL, you should check it out sometime when you’re in my city.”
Q: Would you consider living in any other city?
A: “South Carolina or Virginia, I love nature and they’re both pretty green, plus they both got water, I’m also very aquatic.”
Q: If someone doesn’t know you, give me three words that describes you.
A: “Too turned up, cause I’m always ready, those three words just describe who I am.”
Dorrough is an American rapper born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He began his music career handing out mix tapes at basketball games at his high school. His first single “Walk That Walk” was No. 28 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop songs chart and No. 12 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. His second single, “Ice Cream Paint Job,” was his first to reach the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 27. His debut album, Dorrough Music, was released in August.
Q: Are you talking about your own car in “Ice Cream Paint Job”?
A: “One of ’em (laughs).”
Q: Is this your first time performing at an HBCU?
A: “I went to Prairie View, I done it many times.”
Q: Who are your major influences in the rap arena?
A: “UGK, Lil Flip, OutKast and Ludacris.”
Q: Did your debut album reflected you as a rapper? Did you write any of the lyrics?
A: “I’m really proud of it, I think it represented me not only as a rap artist but as a person everyone can relate too.”
Q: Describe your ideal woman.
A: “Pretty, fine and thick (laughs) oh yeah she gotta be smart, make her own money and very ambitious, she has to be able to motivate and support me.”
Q: What is your style?
A: “Laid back, Original, I don’t do too much I just do me.”
Q: Favorite female MC?
A: “Missy Elliot, she ain’t doing anything right now, but she is still the best female MC out there.”
Q: What do you do, when you’re not being Dorrough?
A: “I spend a lot of time with the family, I got a lil girl, I spend a lot of time with her when I’m not working.”
Q: What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
A: “Simply, just be the best that I can be. I have had a platinum selling single but I hope one day to have a platinum selling album you know, that’s what I’m striving for as an artist.