Daniel Simmons, mostly known as "Diggy" from MTV's Run's House, looks to make a name for himself in the world of hip-hop. Already boasting a mixtape under his belt which dropped late last year entitled "The First Flight", Diggy is not your average teenage rapper. After carefully listening to each track, you can see that his main focus is lyricism - something that today's hip-hop is slowly losing. Along with his skills on the mic, the kid also heads a movement, "Young Crafters", with a few other young tastemakers, Jovany Perez and Lyna Zerrouki. Be sure to stay tuned to his blog and Twitter to keep up with this project.
Check out the quick conversation we had with lil' Simmons after the jump.
Interview by: Angelo Logan
Cutting to the chase, who are your top 5 hip-hop artist out at the moment?
Top 5 in order is hard but out of order goes something like, Lupe Fiasco, J. Cole, Mos Def, Neako, and...
I noticed that you picked J. Cole's "The Warm Up" as your #1 mixtape of 2009, which I felt the same way. What is your favorite track on the tape?
Knock knock or Dead Presidents II.
I know for a fact that you get this a lot, but let's settle this once and for all. Does Daniel "Diggy" Simmons write his own lyrics?
YESSIR.
Can you remember the first time you picked up a mic to start rapping?
5 years old is when I started rapping.
Do you feel a lot of pressure being a rapper, being that your father, "Rev Run" (Run-DMC), is one of the founding fathers of hip-hop itself?
Honestly no I don't for the fact that when i work on whether it's fashion which my Uncle Russell is respected in as well as music which my dad and my uncle are both respected in, it doesn't pressure me because I focus on exactly what I go by simply "Diggy" not Diggy Simmons not Rev Run's son or Russell's nephew, yes I'm aware of what they've done but I know where I'm going.
You released your first mixtape, "The First Flight", late last year. Was it everything that you expected it to be?
I put in a lot more work than I thought I would which wasn't a problem for the simple fact that I love it and it's my passion.
You're also really into fashion. What are a few of your favorite brands?
Ralph Lauren and Rugby, Band of outsiders, all the work that Yohji Yomamato does between all of his brands, Jeremy Scott, Bottega Veneta, and John Varvatos to name a few. On the streetwear side Original Fake, Stussy Deluxe, A Bathing Ape, Wings and Horns and some others.
If you had to describe your style in three words, what would they be?
ME ME ME.
What do you feel is the most important part of a person's outfit?
You can always have a great blazer, great shoes, or denim but knowing what accessories fit that outfit are essential whether it's a brooch, a necktie, a pocket square, or a scarf I feel that accessories are really important in an outfit.
What celebrity has the most style in your opinion? Why?
I switch around but right now I feel that when it comes to men it's Mark Ronson his style is clean, simplistic and timeless as well.
You and a few other influential individuals in the younger generation have a new project in the making entitled Young Crafters. Speak a little on this topic and how it came about.
Well me and 15 year old stylist and designer Jovany Perez used to speak on and off through the internet and then I hit him up and said we need to do a collaborative project together in symbolization of what we do as far as fashion art and culture goes and showing people that we're making moves at a young age in our separate projects but coming together to show the fashion world that there's a lot of us kids out here doing this. Then almost two days after we came up with the concept of "YOUNG CR∆FTER$" I met Lyna through a mutual friend and it didn't take me anymore then a blink of an eye that she wasn't only young but got the direction of where the movement was going and so we both wanted her to be apart.
Any last words for the readers?
WATCH WHAT I'MA DO!!!!!!!!!!!
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