When DL Incognito’s first record came out in 2002, he was proclaimed as Canada’s
bestkept urban secret, a newcomer breathing life into a semi-comatose hip hop
scene. The album, called A Sample and a Drum Machine, dug deep into the crates
to bring the authenticity of old school hip-hop back to the forefront.
Earning his hip hop stripes the old-fashioned way, DL Incognito began his hip
hop career in 1998, performing at showcases, rhyming on mixtapes, appearing on
radio shows and steadily developing the reputation he has grown to deserve.
Four years later, and all the buzz about DL being someone to watch out for in
the future has been replaced with acclaim for his present accomplishments. A
veritable presence in Canadian hip-hop, DL Incognito has succeeded in building
on the success of his first album.
DL Incognito released his sophomore album in 2004, called Life’s a Collection of
Experiences, which received a 2005 Juno nomination for Best Rap Recording. This
nomination served to cement his status as one of Canada’s premier hip hop
artists, and was a reflection of a career that had taken him from music
showcases, such as NXNE and the Toronto Urban Music Festival, to headlining his
own shows, opening for major hip hop acts on tour and featuring on several
seminal Canadian hip-hop tracks. In addition, DL’s music has made it overseas to
the UK and Asia, proving the accessibility and appeal of his music.
As an emcee, DL Incognito (which means ‘delivering lyrics on the low’) has been
consistently recognized for his lyrical ability and his flow. Music magazine
Exclaim! praised his first album, stating that “he [DL] came out of the box
slinging similes and metaphors with punch line swagger, dope self-production and
a voice reminiscent of the celebrated late MC Big L, ea rning the respect of
those who heard it.”
DL Incognito’s appreciation for hip-hop is demonstrated by his dedication to his
craft – his music achieves authenticity in a music industry that has become
commercialized almost beyond recognition. Known for his live shows where DL
delivers “a trip down memory lane, you get beats, rhymes and life. No gimmicks
just straight hip-hop.” Rounding off his set of talents, DL Incognito is equally
respected as an artist and producer, while his beats receive as much attention
as his lyrics and performances. DL has his feet firmly planted in all aspects of
the hip-hop industry as founder of the independent music label Nine Planets Hip
Hop.
DL Incognito’s third album, Organic Music for a Digital World, is now avialable
on URBNET Records.
