The Dirtball
Encyclopedia
David Alexander better known by his stage name The Dirtball is an American
recording solo artist, a member of hip-hop rap group Kottonmouth Kings
whom he joined in early 2010, and the punk rock group collaboration X-Pistols
with Daddy X
of the Kottonmouth Kings and members of So Cal punk group D.I.
, After wreaking havoc on the road rocking sold out crowds across the country, Oregon based rapper The Dirtball is bringing it home with the release of his third solo album, Crook County. While in the past his accelerated rhyming skills have kicked his career into overdrive, now with his latest release it’s his songwriting skills that have him cruising in the fast lane.
Inspired by the beauty of his home state and his love of creating music, Crook County’s diverse mixture of rock and hip-hop is eclectic enough to leave fans of all genres salivating for more. Powered by the machinegun attack of his motor-mouth and irresistible hooks, the album can dazzle fans of Southern Rap (Ying Yang Twins
, Lil Jon), battle mainstream heavyweights (Twista, Lupe Fiasco), or stands toe-to-toe with underground legends (Tech N9ne
, Kottonmouth Kings
, or Insane Clown Posse
).
“Crook County is actually the area where I live in Oregon. I was born and raised here, which ties into the record and how I’m bringing it back to my roots. I have a lot of old friends that I used to play with back in the day on this record and my parents have a blue grass band so they made it onto a track,” says the Pacific Northwest based rapper. “It’s definitely a different kind of album for me, but it’s a pretty well rounded diverse eclectic mixture of musical styles with a good group of guests. Each track is totally different from one another and I’m stoked about it.”
Crook County also features guest appearances by some of the heaviest hitters in the underground and detonates an explosive line-up of powerhouse collaborations. “Just a Friend” utilizes the breathtaking melodies of Lady Love to craft an infectious track about the hardships of maintaining relationships while out on the road, while Daddy X of Kottonmouth Kings drops by on “Mushroom Cloud” to expose the Dirtball’s psychedelic eating habits. Meanwhile, Suburban Noize heavyweight Big B appears on the track “All In”, La Coka Nostra ‘s CeeKay rips through the track “Nightshade”, Johnny Richter of Kingspade duets about the rigors of the road on “Grind” and Psychopathic Records’ Boondox, drops some rock flavor on the track “Tried, Trued and Tested”.
Since the age of 15, The Dirtball (aka David Alexander) has dedicated himself to his music. Growing up in Oregon, Alexander quickly became preoccupied with drums and would be the rhythmic backbone for a number of different bands in the North West. In 1995, Dirtball decided to take his musical aspirations to the next level and formed funk-rock hybrid Chola and would tour the region cultivating a grassroots following. After six years of constant touring and recording with Chola, the band was on the brink of a national breakthrough, but personal and creative differences lead to the band’s demise.
“Chola opened the door and kind of schooled me in the art of rhyme, which helped me develop my style. Then, when the band finally disbanded, I knew right away I didn’t want to hide behind the drum kit anymore, so I just started focusing on developing my skills as a rapper,” Dirtball says of the switch from banging drum kits to spitting on the mic. “I grew up listening to rap and that’s what I loved. I never set out to be a fast rapper, it’s just this kind of unharnessed thing that I developed.”
After half a decade behind the kit, Dirtball decided it was time for a change and focused his efforts on perfecting the art of rhyme. His efforts proved fruitful when he developed a knack for creating a machine gun rapid fire flow that quickly became his trademark style. With a conscious effort to create super tight flawless lyrics, Alexander began his solo path as an MC and The Dirtball was born.
After recording a demo, The Dirtball’s rapid-fire rhymes caught the attention of California based Suburban Noize Records who signed him for the release of his debut, Pop-A-D-Ball. The album quickly jump started his career and propelled him into two years of non-stop touring. His sophomore effort, Raptillion, was released in 2006 and became an instant underground classic that prompted PopMatters to say Dirtball’s “Rapid-fire rhymes and an ear for catchy choruses distinguish the rapper’s style, which at times sounds something like a sharper-edged Big Boi.”
The Dirtball is at the forefront of a bubbling underground scene that is taking over the hip-hop and rock scenes. In a time of record label closures and spiraling record sales, The Dirtball has rocketed into national fame with the persistence and will to survive in the jungle that is the music business. His strong work ethic and explosive live show has earned him tours with Tech N9ne, Hed PE, Kottonmouth Kings, Insane Clown Posse, and monstrous Strange Noize Tour, which went on to become one of 2007’s highest grossing independent tours. Silently lurking the underground live networks, Dirtball snaps off raps and will make listeners think twice about the capabilities of white rappers.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
recording solo artist, a member of hip-hop rap group Kottonmouth Kings
Kottonmouth Kings
Kottonmouth Kings is an American rap rock group from Placentia, Orange County, California. Kottonmouth Kings officially formed in 1994, and describe themselves as "psychedelic hip-hop punk rock"...
whom he joined in early 2010, and the punk rock group collaboration X-Pistols
X-Pistols
X Pistols is a Punk Rock band from Southern California and Oregon, formed in 2010. Brad "Daddy X" Xavier , David "The Dirtball" Alexander, D.I. members TNT, Joey Glock, and Colt Clayton make up the band...
with Daddy X
Daddy X
Brad Xavier,born around 1965,known by his stage name Daddy X, is a hip hop artist and record producer. He was previously in the punk/hardcore band Doggy Style, in which he was going by the stage name of Daddy X. He is currently the frontman for Kottonmouth Kings, Humble Gods, and X-Pistols...
of the Kottonmouth Kings and members of So Cal punk group D.I.
Biography
, The Dirtball was interested in music at a young age. He started his first band called Chola which stayed together for six years until creative differences caused the group to split. After the groups separation, The Dirtball began his solo career in hip hop signing with Suburban Noize Records. Starting with his debut album (Pop-A-D-Ball) David has gone to record 4 other albums on the label with his newest album Nervous System which came out March 1, 2011., After wreaking havoc on the road rocking sold out crowds across the country, Oregon based rapper The Dirtball is bringing it home with the release of his third solo album, Crook County. While in the past his accelerated rhyming skills have kicked his career into overdrive, now with his latest release it’s his songwriting skills that have him cruising in the fast lane.
Inspired by the beauty of his home state and his love of creating music, Crook County’s diverse mixture of rock and hip-hop is eclectic enough to leave fans of all genres salivating for more. Powered by the machinegun attack of his motor-mouth and irresistible hooks, the album can dazzle fans of Southern Rap (Ying Yang Twins
Ying Yang Twins
The Ying Yang Twins is an Atlanta-based American crunk rap duo consisting of Kaine and D-Roc . The group debuted in 2000 and rose to mainstream popularity in 2003 collaborating with Lil Jon in his single "Get Low"...
, Lil Jon), battle mainstream heavyweights (Twista, Lupe Fiasco), or stands toe-to-toe with underground legends (Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne
Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...
, Kottonmouth Kings
Kottonmouth Kings
Kottonmouth Kings is an American rap rock group from Placentia, Orange County, California. Kottonmouth Kings officially formed in 1994, and describe themselves as "psychedelic hip-hop punk rock"...
, or Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...
).
“Crook County is actually the area where I live in Oregon. I was born and raised here, which ties into the record and how I’m bringing it back to my roots. I have a lot of old friends that I used to play with back in the day on this record and my parents have a blue grass band so they made it onto a track,” says the Pacific Northwest based rapper. “It’s definitely a different kind of album for me, but it’s a pretty well rounded diverse eclectic mixture of musical styles with a good group of guests. Each track is totally different from one another and I’m stoked about it.”
Crook County also features guest appearances by some of the heaviest hitters in the underground and detonates an explosive line-up of powerhouse collaborations. “Just a Friend” utilizes the breathtaking melodies of Lady Love to craft an infectious track about the hardships of maintaining relationships while out on the road, while Daddy X of Kottonmouth Kings drops by on “Mushroom Cloud” to expose the Dirtball’s psychedelic eating habits. Meanwhile, Suburban Noize heavyweight Big B appears on the track “All In”, La Coka Nostra ‘s CeeKay rips through the track “Nightshade”, Johnny Richter of Kingspade duets about the rigors of the road on “Grind” and Psychopathic Records’ Boondox, drops some rock flavor on the track “Tried, Trued and Tested”.
Since the age of 15, The Dirtball (aka David Alexander) has dedicated himself to his music. Growing up in Oregon, Alexander quickly became preoccupied with drums and would be the rhythmic backbone for a number of different bands in the North West. In 1995, Dirtball decided to take his musical aspirations to the next level and formed funk-rock hybrid Chola and would tour the region cultivating a grassroots following. After six years of constant touring and recording with Chola, the band was on the brink of a national breakthrough, but personal and creative differences lead to the band’s demise.
“Chola opened the door and kind of schooled me in the art of rhyme, which helped me develop my style. Then, when the band finally disbanded, I knew right away I didn’t want to hide behind the drum kit anymore, so I just started focusing on developing my skills as a rapper,” Dirtball says of the switch from banging drum kits to spitting on the mic. “I grew up listening to rap and that’s what I loved. I never set out to be a fast rapper, it’s just this kind of unharnessed thing that I developed.”
After half a decade behind the kit, Dirtball decided it was time for a change and focused his efforts on perfecting the art of rhyme. His efforts proved fruitful when he developed a knack for creating a machine gun rapid fire flow that quickly became his trademark style. With a conscious effort to create super tight flawless lyrics, Alexander began his solo path as an MC and The Dirtball was born.
After recording a demo, The Dirtball’s rapid-fire rhymes caught the attention of California based Suburban Noize Records who signed him for the release of his debut, Pop-A-D-Ball. The album quickly jump started his career and propelled him into two years of non-stop touring. His sophomore effort, Raptillion, was released in 2006 and became an instant underground classic that prompted PopMatters to say Dirtball’s “Rapid-fire rhymes and an ear for catchy choruses distinguish the rapper’s style, which at times sounds something like a sharper-edged Big Boi.”
The Dirtball is at the forefront of a bubbling underground scene that is taking over the hip-hop and rock scenes. In a time of record label closures and spiraling record sales, The Dirtball has rocketed into national fame with the persistence and will to survive in the jungle that is the music business. His strong work ethic and explosive live show has earned him tours with Tech N9ne, Hed PE, Kottonmouth Kings, Insane Clown Posse, and monstrous Strange Noize Tour, which went on to become one of 2007’s highest grossing independent tours. Silently lurking the underground live networks, Dirtball snaps off raps and will make listeners think twice about the capabilities of white rappers.
Albums
- The Dirty D Project, Vol. 1 (2002)
- Pop-A-D-Ball (2005)
- Raptillion (2006)
- Crook County (2008)
- Nervous System (2011)
Kottonmouth Kings
- Long Live The Kings (2010)
- Legalize It (EP) (2011)
- Sunrise SessionsSunrise SessionsLimited Edition vinyl-Additional personnel :Additional personnel include:*Mike Kumangai & Patrick Shevelin – Mixing*Tom Baker – Mastering*Patrick Shevelin – Additional Production...
(2011)