D.Focis Interview

Hip Hop Interviews at DJBooth

The path to musical success is hardly ever a straightforward one, but D.Focis’ career has taken more twists and turns than most; though he began as just one of countless aspiring emcees dreaming of getting their moment in the limelight, Focis’ artistic journey has since taken him all the way from his hometown of Detroit, Mich., to Tokyo, where he spent just short of a decade crafting beats for Japanese hip-hop’s best and brightest, and back. Now residing in Atlanta, Ga., the successful producer has picked the mic back up to record The Be Strong LP, a set of feel-good jams he hopes will inspire listeners and aspiring artists alike to do just as the title says. Though D.Focis’ boardwork on cuts by Bobby Creekwater (see “Rainman”) and Donnis (see “Over Do It,” “High”) scored him points in the Booth, it was the emcee/beatsmith’s work as a solo artist that cemented him as a reader favorite. Heralded by Booth smashes “Miracle” (ft. Bobby Creek), “Forgiveness” (ft. Kamillion & Sashay) and “In the Beginning” (ft. The Mr), Be Strong dropped Sept.1, and is available now in stores and online. In an exclusive interview with our own DJ “Z,” D.Focis steps into the Booth to discuss the difficulties of adjusting to a foreign hip-hop scene, the tragic event that spurred him to create Be Strong, and DJBooth.net’s vital role in promoting talented artists working below the mainstream radar.