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Dubcnn Exclusive – Danny Boy
By: Todd Davis
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Dubcnn: Welcome back! Let's just jump right into this...

There have been talks of your exceedingly overdue, yet still anticipated, solo debut for quite some time now, and despite the storied rise and, later, fall of your label Death Row -- What has really been the hold up?

I wanted the album to come out years ago. But, with the falling apart of Death Row, Suge, and the death of Tupac, other labels were afraid to deal with me.


Dubcnn: Damn, for real?! Well, now that the imprint has been relinquished from Suge Knight, and re-launched by WIDEawake, how in the world did you end up back over there?

First, I want to thank WIDEawake for resurrecting Death Row. It is a great business venture for myself. There’s great music in that vault. I'm glad someone is willing to give that music a new shot.  


Dubcnn: Yeah, you and me both! So, you titled your album It's About Time, and although pretty self-explanatory, can you expound on why exactly you opted to name the record this?

WIDEawake named that record. For me, it gives people a chance to hear the gift that I was blessed by GOD with. I will choose the next title though.


Dubcnn: How much of the material is new, versus what you had previously recorded?

This is all old material. From the vault stuff. I have over 300 songs.


Dubcnn: Who all did you work with in terms of production? And, are there any special guest/cameo appearances?

DJ Quik and DeVante (Swing) produced tracks on the album. K-Ci & JoJo did a track with me on the album as well.


Dubcnn: Do you have any particular favorite track(s) on the set? If so, why that/those choice(s)?

“It's All About U." That’s a Hot song!


Dubcnn: Prior to now, what have/had you been doing during your musical hiatus? And, why'd you wait this long to return?

From the falling apart until now, I've been an electrician, security guard, waiter, mortician, and many other jobs. But, my music was always there. It's my gift from God. I never stopped. God protected me throughout it all. It was a humbling time for me. But, God was there. I was able to spend time with my family. I had time to repair relationships that I probably did wrong in the past. It was humbling.


Dubcnn: Unlike many former Death Row artists you seemed to never, at least publicly, have any ill will towards Suge -- So now that the Death Row catalog is in someone else’s hands, what are you feelings as far as the possibilities of this altogether new situation?

Suge did a lot for me and my family. I have no ill feelings. You have to forgive people. Now, it's a new situation. I'm trying to see how it goes. I've been through a lot, for sure. I feel it will be a much better time than before.


Dubcnn: You were there during all of the peak years at Tha Row -- What was it like for you as an artist to be working with the legends; Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and the late, great Tupac Shakur? What was it like for you back when Mr. Knight was running the Death Row show?

I'm a church-boy from Chicago. When I arrived and was around Snoop Dogg, I knew I was around stars. I always wanted to be a star. They were already representing. They were big. And, there I was, Danny Boy.  


Dubcnn: Since these are some enormous, larger than life personalities -- What was the vibe actually like when all these individuals were in one single room together? When most people think of it, they probably picture it more like a movie than something that would happen in real life -- What was your view of it at that time? And, also now, looking back on it all?

It was big. Real big. It was like a movie. When you saw 'Pac, you always felt like you were part of a movie. They were huge. Snoop and Dr. Dre, 'Pac. They were stars. I always felt like I was a part of that.  


Dubcnn: Going back to the very beginning, how did you initially start singing? Who inspired you to pick up the mic? And, as far as the tone and feel that you developed and how you wanted to come across as an artist, where did that come from?

My mother and my grandmother, and Deleon Richards. I was a momma's boy. It was in church. It took me a couple of Sundays. Aunt Delores really made me stand up and sing, to touch people with my voice. My voice is my gift.


Dubcnn: How did it come about that you came on-board, in the first place, to contribute to the, now classic, soundtrack Murder Was The Case LP? And, subsequently, become part of the whole Death Row movement?

DJ Quik was a big part of that. I wasn't even signed to Death Row, but they had the best deal on the table.


Dubcnn: Do you have any funny and/or memorable stories or anecdotes from that era?

Memorable story, Mothers Day. Death Row would rent out the Beverly Hills Hotel, and feed 10,000 single mothers. We would all perform. Tupac, Mary J. Blige, everyone performed. Tupac sung “Dear Mama” at the event. I will always remember that.


Dubcnn: Do you remain in touch with your, former, Death Row label-mates and cohorts? If so, when was the last time any of y'all spoke? And, is there any chance of a slight reunion either on stage and/or wax?

I speak to Daz and Kurupt. I haven't seen Snoop Dogg in a long time. I might try to pull something together, one day.


Dubcnn: That'd be so dope! Well, outside of music, do you have any additional aspirations?

I have coffee shops; My Soul Coffee and Cafe in Chicago, then another in Atlanta. "My song, My soul, My coffee” is the slogan. (And,) we have a production company here in Atlanta as well.


Dubcnn: What are your thoughts on the current state of R&B -- Are you cool with it?

I have a fifteen year old daughter, and she loves it. Maxwell, I appreciate him and others. We have to get back to music that's going to touch people. That's where it's at.


Dubcnn: To date, what has been the biggest highlight of your career?

Performing with Tupac on Saturday Night Live, for sure. My grandmother had the opportunity to see me live on SNL. I was seventeen. My grandmother was so excited. She never watched SNL. She was a Christian lady, but she watched me on it. She was proud.


Dubcnn: As for the immediate future, what's next for Danny Boy?

I'm always doing hooks for different people. People can contact me. I don’t want to compromise myself or my music. I want to act. I love to act silly. It's in the works.


Dubcnn: Has the lead single/video been determined yet? Album, It's About Time, slated for release when? Are you planning to tour behind it?

“It’s All About U” is the first single off the album. The album will be in stores on April 20th. No plans for a tour yet, but it is possible. I'll get out there to promote the Danny Boy brand.


Dubcnn: Do you have any final words for everyone reading this?

Thank you all for hittin' your boy up! You can check me out on my Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube.


Dubcnn: Sadly, Thursday, June 25th 2009, the world lost the greatest entertainer who ever lived -- What was your first reaction upon hearing the tragic news? How does Michael Jackson’s untimely passing affect, not only you, but, music in general? And, in the wake of his demise, what does this mean for the future of recorded music?

I met Michael Jackson. I was friends with his brother. It was a great loss. I could never imagine it happening. To see the tribute after was sad for me. Michael never got it when he was alive. I learned we have to have our lives together. You just never know. No guarantees. Michael Jackson was an icon. My five year old son is singing Michael Jackson songs. It shows other artists that music lives on. Your music has to touch people to do that. Michael Jackson's did.

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