DL Incognito
Encyclopedia
Oliver Nestor, better known as DL Incognito is an underground Canadian hip hop producer
and rapper from Ottawa
, Ontario
who started his career in 1998. The name 'DL Incognito' means Deliverying Lyrics on the Low. His 2004 album
, Life's a Collection of Experiences, received a 2005 Juno
nomination for Best Rap Recording. His third studio album, Organic Music for a Digital World (2006) was also nominated for a 2007 Juno Award
in the same category. DL Incognito faced stiff competition from label mate Classified
but both lost to Swollen Members
.
With DL Incognito's fourth album, A Captured Moment in Time, DL Incognito ranks among the few Canadian hip-hop artists to release four full-length albums.
DL Incognito said in an interview that his main goal is "just trying to give Canadian hip-hop an identity." In another interview, he said what inspires him to rap is life: "Life inspires me, all the ups & downs that people go through, current events, happiness, pain, everything is an inspiration. As I continue on this journey I've realized that life's a collection of experiences and my albums are captured moments in time."
Both him and his twin brother Nick manage their own label Nine Planets Hip Hop.
In many songs DL talks about personal issues such as the loss of his mother:
Hip hop production
Hip hop production is the creation of hip hop music. Though the term encompasses all aspects of hip hop music, it's most commonly used to refer to the instrumental, non-lyrical aspects of hip hop. This means that hip hop producers are the instrumentalists involved in a work...
and rapper from Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
who started his career in 1998. The name 'DL Incognito' means Deliverying Lyrics on the Low. His 2004 album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Life's a Collection of Experiences, received a 2005 Juno
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
nomination for Best Rap Recording. His third studio album, Organic Music for a Digital World (2006) was also nominated for a 2007 Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
in the same category. DL Incognito faced stiff competition from label mate Classified
Classified (rapper)
Luke Boyd , professionally known as Classified, is a Canadian rapper and producer from Enfield, Nova Scotia.-Career:...
but both lost to Swollen Members
Swollen Members
Swollen Members is a Canadian hip hop group from Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada consisting mainly of the duo Mad Child, and Prevail. Frequent collaborators include vocalist Moka Only and producer Rob the Viking, an official group member since 2002...
.
With DL Incognito's fourth album, A Captured Moment in Time, DL Incognito ranks among the few Canadian hip-hop artists to release four full-length albums.
DL Incognito said in an interview that his main goal is "just trying to give Canadian hip-hop an identity." In another interview, he said what inspires him to rap is life: "Life inspires me, all the ups & downs that people go through, current events, happiness, pain, everything is an inspiration. As I continue on this journey I've realized that life's a collection of experiences and my albums are captured moments in time."
Both him and his twin brother Nick manage their own label Nine Planets Hip Hop.
In many songs DL talks about personal issues such as the loss of his mother:
- On the track 'The Ending' off of 'Life's A Collection...' DL raps 'If I never really make it mom it ain't your fault you gave me everything.'
- On the first song 'Welcome' off the Organic Music... album DL raps 'While I was fightin' for radio spins, my mother was fighting a battle she couldn't win, found the strength within, then I lost her to cancer, there's your answer if you ask me where the promos been.'
- 'Make A Difference' (Organic Music) DL raps 'And when I go I'll finally see my mommy again, Miss you mommy twenty four seven.'
- 'Live In My Element' (Organic Music) DL raps 'My brother has my mother's tattoo upon his arm, a portrait of her so life like I, can feel her charm, We will always remember, through us you will live on.'
- 'Reality Bites' (Organic Music) DL raps 'Raise your kids, my mother did, struggled for abit, plus she raised her twins, strong black woman rest in peace mom I love ya.'
Trivia
- Is originally from Ottawa, and now resides in Toronto.
- According to the song 'Reality Bites', DL and manager Nick are twins.
- Is of black (Haitian) and white (French Canadian) ancestry.
- In the UK, his records are released by Wolftown RecordingsWolftown RecordingsWolftown Recordings is a hip hop record label based in Wolverhampton. Formed in 1997 by local artists Tricksta and Late, Wolftown has risen to prominence as one of the UK's premier hip hop labels, releasing records by acts such as Villains, Vicious Circle , Jai Boo, Cee-Rock "The Fury", DL...
. - Was a large supporter of LRG clothingLRG clothingLifted Research Group, most commonly known as LRG, is an Orange County, California based clothing brand headed by Jonas Bevacqua and Robert Wright. LRG produces clothing and accessories, and also has been known to develop a broad range of products including electronic accessories, extreme vehicles,...
until he left (on good terms) and is now sponsored by Scifen. - His song 'Keep It Movin was featured in the ski movie Seven Sunny Days.
Discography
- A Sample and a Drum Machine (Nine Planets Hip Hop) (July 23, 2002)
- Life's a Collection of Experiences (Nine Planets Hip Hop) (November 23, 2004)
- Organic Music for a Digital WorldOrganic Music for a Digital WorldOrganic Music For A Digital World is the third studio album by Canadian rapper and producer DL Incognito.-Track listing:...
(Nine Planets Hip Hop) (June 20, 2006) - A Captured Moment in TimeA Captured Moment in TimeA Captured Moment in Time is the fourth album by Canadian rapper and producer DL Incognito. The album was nominated for Rap Recording of the Year at the 2009 Juno Awards.The artwork for the CD cover is designed by Taktikal Design.- Track listing :...
(Nine Planets Hip Hop) (April 8, 2008) - Someday Is Less Than A Second Away (Nine Planets Hip Hop) (Unknown)
Singles
- "Rugged Raw"
- "Spit Forever 2"
- "Proof"
- "Verbilarity"
- "Live In My Element"
- "Make a Difference"
- "Air Play"