Music Review and Interview with DEPZ
Versitale Records and Northside Hustlaz Clic created DEPZ in May 2015. DEPZ has currently recorded two (2) single’s; Ten Hutt Tha Movement and Tonite.
Ten Hutt Tha Movement was inspired by the recent events in Ferguson, Madison, and Baltimore, South Carolina and most recently, McKinney, TX as well as the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
Versitale Records and Northside Hustlaz Clic was created in January 1994 in North Minneapolis by Lloyd J. Rhoden. DEPZ has four members, Trey80, Philthy Money, Dolla Trill & Freakey Zeakey (which three are pictured above). Two of the members from NSHC makeup DEPZ. The genre of music for these two groups are Rap and Hip-Hop, however, Freakey Zeakey (not pictured) is mainly R&B. Versitale Records/DEPZ can be found on ReverbNation and CD Baby as well as various internet radio stations, ie. iHeart, Spotify and Tidal, just to name a few!
On Sunday, August 2, 2015, DEPZ will be preforming it’s first live show at the “Live Music Showcase” hosted by the Minnesota Music Cafe in St. Paul, MN and is currently working with Bedlam Theather in Lowertown, St. Paul, MN on scheduling a show at their venue!
“Ten Hutt Tha Movement”
People love to talk about how much they love the scene in Minneapolis, MN. Musicians from both out-of-state and the Twin Cities have gone out of their way to pen odes to the city and its vibrant community. So let’s talk about DEPZ and how they’re making big waves in the music industry, with one of their first singles “Ten Hutt Tha Movement”
Opening with a march to motivate, to raise awarenss and to promote change in the way our communities are policed – over a powerful, punchy hip-hop beat that demands attention.
According to the national police Misconduct statistics and reporting project statistics there has been 5,986 reports of police brutality that are reported resulting in 382 of deaths… A great majority of these individuals have been black men and women. But due to the amount of fear that police uses to terrorize the black community these numbers just represent only the alleged reports that reached a court room and where even charged… Most victims of police brutality do not report it to the proper authorities for fear of retaliation from a police force who has sworn to serve and protect them.
Along with the tragic events in Ferguson, Mo., the death of Eric Garner in New York after a chokehold was put on him by police is both a tragedy and an outrage. In the New York case, based on publicly available tapes of the killing, the policeman applying the chokehold should have at least been charged by the grand jury with the use of excessive force.
Eric Garner would have been arrested involved his selling a few individual cigarettes without paying a few pennies or a few dollars of taxes. Garner posed no physical threat to the policemen. He engaged in no violence. He did not attack them. He had no weapon. He threw no punches. For Garner to be thrown to the ground by a group of policemen and then held in a chokehold that was banned by the New York Police Department, and for that chokehold to continue after Garner repeatedly said that he could not breathe, clearly involved the excessive use of force, at a minimum. For this to be on tape, and for the grand jury to refuse to act after reviewing the, is beyond all reason.
In situations like Ferguson, where there is a heavily black population policed by a mostly white police department, there should be major outreach to recruit, hire and train black policemen and women. This should happen in countless communities throughout America where there is a racial disparity between the local population and the local police.
Let us stand together now as we show our elected officials locally, nationally and globally that we are willing to come together to end the tyranny of corrupt police officers and share this track and let “Ten Hutt” be “Tha Movement” that motivates us all, regardless of color.
Overall, this is a very impressive release from Versitale Records’ DEPZ showing their serious artistic tone, unafraid to explore and confront the darker sides of life and the human conditions. This gives the album a huge emotional range and power.
[Please see FM Radio Play below via Exposed Vocals FM Broadcast Partners Sponsorship Program]
Phoenix 98.0 FM Radio Broadcast of “Ten Hutt”
KISS 104.7 FM Radio Broadcast of “Ten Hutt”
By HBdidit – Exposed Vocals Music Reviewer and Breaking News Contributor.
A NYC fashion designer, music reviewer and lover of life!
Exclusive Interview:
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
DEPZ: I saw Exposed Vocals on Twitter. I was looking for more exposure for our new group; DEPZ!
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
DEPZ: My name is Lloyd J. Rhoden; owner of Versitale Records and Northside Hustler Music. I was born in Toledo, OH and moved to Minneapolis, MN in the 70’s. It runs in the family; my father was a songwriter/producer.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
DEPZ: The name came from the nicknames of the members of the group. We just took the first letter of each artist’s name to come up with the name, DEPZ.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
DEPZ: It’s a double-edge sword; damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Yes I do, it’s part of the promotion process.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
DEPZ: Yes, be true to yourself, give 110% to your craft, be passionate and believe in what you are doing and don’t ever let anyone steal your dream!
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
DEPZ: I have before. Fix it and keep moving; usually the other members carry you until you catch-up!
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Artist: Not yet…but have some leads on some prospective tours.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
DEPZ: Life experiences. Every member writes their own verse and it just happens to fit.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
DEPZ: Yes; www.VersitaleRecords.com. Facebook, ReverbNation, Twitter, CD Baby, Spotify and iHeart Radio.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
DEPZ: I would go on vacation with my family; basically live our lives in another state!
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
DEPZ: Not at the moment. We work out of the same studio that Prince Rogers Nelson once did.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
DEPZ: Through Facebook, Twitter, iHeart Radio, YouTube, etc… All of them.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
DEPZ: Overseas and it would be with my favorite rapper of all time; Tu Pac. He’s the best rapper of all time!
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
DEPZ: A LOT! Since I own my own record label, I have other artists that I’m working with on their solo projects. Philthy Money has a single we just released called, 350, be on the look-out for it, it’s HOT!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
DEPZ: Interesting question since I’ve never thought about it, my family has always been into music.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
DEPZ: Yes, Public Enemy. They’re da shit!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
DEPZ: Knock ’em down at it comes!
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
DEPZ: The whole DEPZ album, my solo artists releasing their own singles and our up-coming show(s); Our first live show is at a club in St. Paul, MN called, The Minnesota Music Cafe and hopefully playing at a venue called, The Bedlam Theater.
