Dean (rapper) - Career

Career

Dean was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1985. Soccer was his passion until he was introduced to American hip-hop by school friends. Dean migrated to the United States at the age of 17 and instantly began producing music for himself and other artists in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2002 Dean met Nod Dred (Drizzymane), the Richmond artist who would serve as his music industry mentor, Drizzymane introduced him to Street Blaze, a local Virginia production team. It was at Street Blaze studios that Dean would record his 2006 release, Richcity Blues...A Collection of Crunk Hits. The album spawned the regional hit the 4 Door Cadillac. The album performed well independently and is heralded as a classic Virginia hip-hop album. After the release of his debut album Dean moved away from recording and shifting his focus to production and songwriting, this background position prompted rumors that he was retiring from music even before his career got truly started. Dean resurfaced in the summer of 2008 with Time Machine, his biggest single to date (in terms of ring tone sales and digital downloads), and a noticeable shift from the hard-hitting crunk anthems found on Richcity Blues. Dean is also taking advantage of the internet and digital sales as the main outlet for his new music. His forthcoming album will be digitally released in the summer of 2009 featuring two tracks with T.I. protégé; soul crooner Governor.