If inspiration ends when an individual loses passion for what they are doing, then Yas, Bobby & D.J. Dopey will be making music until the day they die. The fiery forces behind Dead Celebrity Status have been making music since they were teenagers. What is so special about their sound is their refusal to become stagnant and their drive to continually grow as creators and people.
The seeds of Dead Celebrity Status were planted as far back as 1988. At the early ages of 12 and 13, Yas and Bobby discovered their true home on stage. Creating their first group Project Wyze, they quickly built a reputation as gifted lyricists and explosive performers.
Yas recalls those early days, "I remember being so young, and playing some of our first shows. It was like 1991, Fear of a Black Planet just dropped, and we were one of the first Canadian groups to play with the legendary Public Enemy. That was incredible."
It was experiences like these that impelled Yas and Bobby to become the innovative and imaginative artists that they have grown into.
"One of the things that I am most proud of," says Bobby, "is the diverse range of artists who we have been blessed to share the stage with. We went from Public Enemy to Warped Tour to an arena tour across the country with Ozzy Osbourne."
The years spent in Project Wyze were strewn with many hardships. These difficulties include touring across America in a dilapidated van with only enough money for one hamburger a day to being shot at in Cleveland.
It was during these trying times that Yas and Bobby began to conceive of a new vision for their music.
"Dead Celebrity Status grew out of boredom and unhappiness. For real, Yas and I were frustrated and tired of dealing with people who were not on the same page as us. DCS was an outlet, and a way of challenging ourselves again. It was a new beginning."
Despite their irrepressible inspiration, the bridge between Project Wyze and Dead Celebrity Status was not easily crossed. In fact, the band spent the past two years plagued with the politics and red tape of the music industry.
Notwithstanding their seemingly endless obstacles, Yas and Bobby began writing and recording what would later become DCS' debut album, "Blood Music" at the end of 2002.
However, one weapon shy, they called upon an old friend, a genius behind the turntables, DJ Dopey. Dopey had already acquired international acclaim as one of the world's premier DJ's, winning myriad battles. Most notably, in 2003, Dopey garnered the most coveted DJ title, winning the Technics World DMC Championship. Dopey muses, "When Yas and Bobby came to me to start this group I knew there was something special. We understand each others creative vision. It's a perfect fit."
With new life and a new vision, armed with World DMC DJ Champion, Dopey, Yas and Bobby stared their adversities in the eyes and focused their energy on their new project.
They quickly caught the attention of some high profile American producers, and while showcasing in LA, they garnered the interest of revered producer Danny Saber. Saber has worked with artists such as The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, U2, Busta Rhymes, Public Enemy, Black Sabbath and Jadakiss.
"From the moment we met him, we knew he was the obvious choice," Yas recalls. "There was mutual respect with Danny from day one. Having an understanding producer was an integral part of making an album we believed in."
During the summer of 2004, the band divided their time between Los Angeles, Toronto and Vancouver to record the album. It was during this period that they collaborated with some of the music industry's brightest and best.
Blood Music features guest appearances by Joss Stone, Dave Navarro and Steve Perkins of Jane's Addiction, Twiggy of Marilyn Manson and subsequently A Perfect Circle, DJ Lethal of House of Pain and Limp Bizkit and Bif Naked.
"All of the guests that appear on our album agreed to do it for the love of creating music, and not for money. We consider these people true artists and friends for life," Bobby reflects.
One can state with conviction that the most important story is the one that the music tells; the music should speak for itself, and DCS speaks volumes. Blood Music delivers an original dose of infectious melodies, seductive grooves and witty wordplay. It is an album born out of emotion and infused with honesty; an utterly candid cross section of the sentiments of its authors. Finally, it is an intimate look into the dark recesses of hip hop music.
Like the rising of the Phoenix, Yas and Bobby are reborn from the ashes of their past to bring Dead Celebrity Status to you and yours.
'Music is blood, blood is oxygen, breathe it in.'
Source: http://www.muchmusic.com/music/artists/bio.asp?artist=1113
