Never underestimate a petite blond!
Don't let the pretty face and blond strands fool you, this Toronto duchess will blow your mind in 4 lines or less. I got a chance to catch up with my former school mate as she continues on her journey to make her way to the top.ANO: State your name, age, and hood.
DD: Duchess aka Duch Dillinger, 22 years, Scarborough born and raised.
ANO: Where did "Duch Dillinger" come from?
DD: I originally came up with Duchess when I was 15 writing the grade 10 literacy test. It pretty much came to me out of nowhere, but I just felt like it represented me and went with it. When I started taking things more seriously, I realized quite a few other ladies had also thought the name repped them. I wanted to stand out [in peoples minds...AND on Google] so I knew I needed an alias. I wanted to keep Duch...so I added Dillinger because a) it sounded good and b) John Dillinger is pretty bad ass. Look him up if you don't know!!
ANO: Now we went to college together for fashion for a year and a half...what made you wanna change your mind and focus on rapping?
DD: Don't get me wrong..I love school. I love to learn and I certainly love fashion. But between the traveling time and the tedious workload, I felt like I wasn't giving my music a fair chance. The production of the music itself...never mind all the promotion and traveling that comes with it was becoming too much. I decided to work full time and invest everything I had into my true passion. To me, school will always be there. I just didn't want to wake up one day and ask myself 'What If...?'
ANO: Who's your inspiration?
DD: My sister. We've been through everything together and she's one of my very closest friends. She inspires me because she is a reminder of how two very different opinions can still see the same beauty in an art. Have the same respect for a passion, even if its not your own. Respect for a talent. She has been in attendance at every show I've ever done...knows every word I’ve ever wrote…and her support through some of my hard times has been what’s kept me going in the pursuit of fulfilling my dreams.
ANO: Dead or alive, who would you love to do a duet with?
DD: Eminem. I'm talking..the 'Renegade' Eminem. His undeniable power on tracks like that would push me to do the same. He's got a knack for making my hairs stand up, and I would leap at the opportunity to contribute to that emotion with him. I mean, if I could flow with him on his best day and bang out an epic record...I would say that’s grounds for a pat on the back. And then some.
ANO: Whats in your CD collection? or on your Ipod?
DD: When I'm in the process of writing new material, I'm actually listening to old hip hop. There are a couple reasons for this...first being I don't want to unintentionally swagger jack, and I also find it inspires me to write. The level of execution on Big Pun's "Super Lyrical" really gets me going. GZA's "Duel Of The Iron Mic", Joell Ortiz, old Outkast, little bit of Gang Starr and a whole lot of Rakim. As far as new music goes...I FINALLY got my hands on the new Slaughterhouse, I adore the Cool Kids (Gone Fishin Mixtape On SMASH) and I’ll be a Jay-Z fan ‘till I’m over and done with. BP3!!!
ANO: How do you feel about the Hip Hop scene in Canada?
DD: I feel like it's making moves - respectfully. There's a palpable sense of hunger in a lot of these cats...a lot of faith. Which is really a beautiful thing. The talent levels are off the charts-- the list of people I want to collab with is endless. Our sense of unity has really grown recently…something I’ve been waiting to see for a long time. The progress we’ve made as a movement is almost unreal… but it's not quite the music-friendly environment we all love to perform for yet. We aren’t the screwface capitol for nothing! But once we get over that, I strongly feel we're unstoppable. We have everything else necessary to succeed, and a strong foundation to expand on.
ANO: Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?
DD: In 5 years I plan to have a successful (both in a public AND personal point of view) album, and be partially through another. I'm hoping to get into touring soon, and I would ideally like to have a completely thorough understanding of not only the industries politics...but be well versed in its law as well. I see myself maturing and growing with my music, and potentially opening up quite a few closed minds. Oh, and being able to buy out Sergio Rossi on a regular basis wouldn't be a bad thing either!!
ANO: When you make it big, what will be your first splurge?
DD: That would be a couple tickets to Amsterdam for me and my closest. Something that I could enjoy with others before the novelty wears off. We'd then proceed to live it up and hold it down like we're invincible. Diamonds and shoes aren’t going anywhere...but youth is limited. Gotta enjoy that shit while you can!
ANO: Describe your fashion style.
DD: Funky Glam. I like to stand out and dress loud. When I go out I like to doll up, but I always try to keep an edge. Can't lose the tattoo-and-sneaker vibe! Its way too fun! You can pretty much find me in anything from pencil skirts and 5 inch stilettos to cut off Levis and hightop SBs. I like to express myself as a confidant woman who knows how to have fun. I’m drawn to luxury…but I like to mix it with pieces that are raw and energetic. All that glitters baby! (Or all that's neon)
ANO: What do you do on your free time
DD: I work! I have a 9-5 right now that pays for my music. Any free time I get is spent writing, in the studio, promoting or some otherwise music related activity. When I do get a night off, I hit the club and network. If I'm too tired for that, then you can find me at home...probably listening to music and blunting myself stupid. I spend time with my friends and fam whenever possible...and lucky for me they accompany me on most my life journeys!
ANO: Describe the perfect man DD: Do those two words belong together? [kidding fellas] I like a man who's confident. Someone who's straight forward and funny...someone who's SMART. If you can't hold a conversation with me....you can't hold ANYTHING with me. I like a dude who can flirt without coming off too strong..and someone who likes to have fun! He has to be into music (not necessarily hip hop) and he has to be respectful to me and what I do. As for looks...I can't tell you what my favorite type of guy is because I'm sure I haven’t seen them all yet. I have a thing for tattoos though (especially on the neck for some reason), and I'd be lying if I said a real fresh pair of kicks didn't get you at LEAST a second look!
ANO: If you were a super hero, who would u be?
DD: Wonder Woman! I could go through the generic reasons why one would pick her...she's fly (literally), fast, super strong etc....but I'm more concerned with that lasso of truth. The idea of possessing a "weapon" with which you can force your enemies to speak honestly (how dangerous!) is crazy. I'd say the same applies with well-thought out lyrics. I mean, I may not be able to stop everyone from talking shit...but if the songs raw enough you can sure make 'em reconsider! Yippi-ki-yay!
ANO: What three things would you bring to a deserted island with you?
DD: Well if I had my choice of any three things in the world.... the first thing would be some pre-rolled honey berry’s to kill the time. Chill out for a while, catch a tan. Then the second thing, my Ipod (stocked with the latest tunes) would come in handy. Jam out island style. Then when the battery dies and I’m all golden, I would turn to the third thing I brought: a boat. 0:)
ANO: Whats in your purse right now?
DD: Wallet, gum, Ipod, keys, lipgloss, countless receipts, some weed crumbies (that I didn't notice until now), some mixtapes, sunglasses, tons of loose business cards and a water bottle.
ANO: Favorite drink?
DD: Crown and Ginger. Though I just recently tried the green tea lemonade at Second Cup and I'm going to have to go ahead and say it's pretty stellar. I’m also known to crack a Red Bull (or 3…or 10…) from time to time.
ANO: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play you?
DD: I would probably want to cast for someone new. I'm sure my story will be a Cinderella one...so why not give some unknown actress her chance for her own? It would be more real!
ANO: Come up with a 4 line rhythm for ashley nicole online.
DD: So Whos The Blog With The Raw, Hype News and.../
Whos The Blog With The Dumb Nice Shoes Like../
Mirror Whos The Fastest Fashion Addicts Of Em All?/
Like The Baddest Of Em All? Like Whos The Baddest Overall?/
And That Mirror Startin Laughin Till It Rattled Half The Wall.../
"I Dont Know Why You Have To Ask..Thats Ashley Nicole!"
ANO: Anything else you would like to let the people know?
DD: I’ll be competing at an event organized by Cream Entertainment and 9-0 Nickel on October 2nd at the Big Sexy(Oshawa). I’m the only female on the docket…I would appreciate any and all support! Contact me (duchdillinger@gmail.com) for tickets or questions! Also…DILLY FRESCO...the brand new mixtape (that I've been blood-sweat-and tearing over) will be available for release in a couple weeks!!! It will feature the debut track, HANDS TO THE SKY f/ Kaliente, as well as appearances by Nes, Peter Jackson, Flex, Shaka, Alex King and GENERAL. You can keep in the loop at duchdillinger.com or follow me on twitter!
make sure you go to her site to listen to her music!!
xo.
t.ashley
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