Willie D
Encyclopedia
Willie D's official website
Willie D (born November 1, 1966 as William James Dennis in Houston, Texas
, U.S.) is an American rapper who gained fame as the lead member of the pioneering rap group from Houston, Geto Boys
. Despite his reputation for being a hardcore artist who pens often provocative lyrics, Willie D is known for his diligent work in the community and many of his songs contain positive messages. He is often called on to speak at universities, high schools and youth facilities.
A gifted athlete, Willie took up boxing at the age of 11. Willie D was so good at boxing that in 1985, he became the Golden Gloves
Champion for the State of Texas
. With a Golden Glove championship under his 17-year-old belt it looked like Willie D was well on his way to becoming a professional boxer, but fortunately for hip hop
fans fate intervened. Like any teenager growing up in the early 80’s Willie D was captivated by the music of his generation. A fan of hip hop, he listened intensely to the music and set his sights on becoming an emcee.
Soon Willie D was earning a reputation around town as a fierce MC. Eventually Willie’s reputation reached J Prince, founder of Rap-A-Lot Records
. At the time Prince was looking to revamp the now legendary Geto Boys and knew that Willie D would be a key factor in the group’s success. Once Willie D was on board, Bushwick Bill
and Scarface
were added to complete the group.
Considered the classic line up, Willie D, Bushwick Bill, and Scarface first emerged as the Geto Boys in 1989 with their Gold record, "Grip It! On That Other Level
." The record contained the songs "Gangsta of Love," "Do It Like a G.O.," "Size Ain’t Shit," and "Read These Nikes," all penned by Willie D. Willie went on to record a string of critical and commercially successful solo and group albums including the Geto Boys’ "We Can't Be Stopped
" (platinum), which featured the single "Mind Playing Tricks on Me
," co-written by Willie D.
In 2009, Willie D was featured on a song called "Down South Hustlaz", along with Young Buck
, Trae
, Bun B
, and Rick Ross
. He is currently in the studio with Z-Ro
recording a new CD presently untitled.
On November 2, 2010, Willie D was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to a wire fraud charge. Prior to serving his sentence, he will release a single called "Cell Block Ready".
On October 28, 2011, Houston Press reported Willie D was apparently out of prison and on twitter.
Willie D (born November 1, 1966 as William James Dennis in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, U.S.) is an American rapper who gained fame as the lead member of the pioneering rap group from Houston, Geto Boys
Geto Boys
Geto Boys is a rap group from Houston, Texas, consisting of Scarface, Willie D and Bushwick Bill. The Geto Boys earned notoriety for its lyrics which included misogyny, gore, psychotic experiences, and necrophilia...
. Despite his reputation for being a hardcore artist who pens often provocative lyrics, Willie D is known for his diligent work in the community and many of his songs contain positive messages. He is often called on to speak at universities, high schools and youth facilities.
A gifted athlete, Willie took up boxing at the age of 11. Willie D was so good at boxing that in 1985, he became the Golden Gloves
Golden Gloves
The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States. The Golden Gloves is often the term used to refer to the National Golden Gloves competition, but it also can represent several other amateur tournaments, including regional golden gloves...
Champion for the State of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. With a Golden Glove championship under his 17-year-old belt it looked like Willie D was well on his way to becoming a professional boxer, but fortunately for hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
fans fate intervened. Like any teenager growing up in the early 80’s Willie D was captivated by the music of his generation. A fan of hip hop, he listened intensely to the music and set his sights on becoming an emcee.
Soon Willie D was earning a reputation around town as a fierce MC. Eventually Willie’s reputation reached J Prince, founder of Rap-A-Lot Records
Rap-A-Lot Records
Rap-a-Lot Records is a Houston hip hop record label. Rap-a-Lot was created in 1986. Sublabels include Smoke-a-Lot Records. The label was founded by James Prince in the mid-1980s and, with its most famous act the Geto Boys, put the South on the hip hop map. Since then, it has maintained its success...
. At the time Prince was looking to revamp the now legendary Geto Boys and knew that Willie D would be a key factor in the group’s success. Once Willie D was on board, Bushwick Bill
Bushwick Bill
Richard Shaw , better known by the stage name Bushwick Bill, is a member of the American hip hop group Geto Boys. He was born in Jamaica, but moved to Brooklyn, NY as a young child.- History :...
and Scarface
Scarface (rapper)
Brad Terrence Jordan , better known by his stage name Scarface, is an American rapper, and recording artist from Houston, Texas and a member of the Geto Boys. He is originally from South Park, Houston.-Life and career:...
were added to complete the group.
Considered the classic line up, Willie D, Bushwick Bill, and Scarface first emerged as the Geto Boys in 1989 with their Gold record, "Grip It! On That Other Level
Grip It! On That Other Level
Grip It! On That Other Level is the second album by Houston hip hop group the Geto Boys, then known as the Ghetto Boys. Following the disappointing results of the group's first album, Making Trouble, Rap-A-Lot Records replaced original rapping members, Sire Jukebox and Prince Johnny with Scarface ...
." The record contained the songs "Gangsta of Love," "Do It Like a G.O.," "Size Ain’t Shit," and "Read These Nikes," all penned by Willie D. Willie went on to record a string of critical and commercially successful solo and group albums including the Geto Boys’ "We Can't Be Stopped
We Can't Be Stopped
We Can't Be Stopped was the 4th studio album by Geto Boys, released in 1991. It was among their most successful records in terms of units sold. The album is broken down track-by-track by Geto Boys in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique. We Can't Be Stopped was certified Platinum in early...
" (platinum), which featured the single "Mind Playing Tricks on Me
Mind Playing Tricks on Me
Mind Playing Tricks on Me is a single by the Geto Boys, featured on their 1991 album We Can't Be Stopped.The lyrics used within describe various mental states such as hallucination, delusion and paranoia. The sample used in the song is 'Hung Up On My Baby' by Isaac Hayes from his 1974 film Tough Guys...
," co-written by Willie D.
In 2009, Willie D was featured on a song called "Down South Hustlaz", along with Young Buck
Young Buck
David Darnell Brown , also known as Young Buck, is an American Southern rapper. Buck is a former member of the New York City Hip-Hop group G-Unit, also a former artist of G-Unit Records as of Nov 26, 2011...
, Trae
Trae
Frazier Thompson III, better known by his stage name Trae, is an American rapper from Houston, Texas. He is a part of the underground rap collective Screwed Up Click. Trae and Z-RO, along with Dougie D, are the founding members of the group Guerilla Maab...
, Bun B
Bun B
Bernard Freeman better known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK . He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas...
, and Rick Ross
Rick Ross
Rick, Ricky or Richard Ross may also refer to:* Rick Ross , American rapper* Richard J. Ross, a Massachusetts State Senator* Richard Ross , an American photographer...
. He is currently in the studio with Z-Ro
Z-Ro
Joseph Wayne McVey , better known by his stage name Z-Ro, is an American rapper, singer and producer from Houston, Texas. He was named one of America's most underrated rappers by the New York Times.-Early life:...
recording a new CD presently untitled.
On November 2, 2010, Willie D was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to a wire fraud charge. Prior to serving his sentence, he will release a single called "Cell Block Ready".
On October 28, 2011, Houston Press reported Willie D was apparently out of prison and on twitter.
Discography
- ControversyControversy (Willie D album)Controversy is the debut album of Willie D . "Do It Like a G.O." featured Willie D, Prince Johnny C, and Sire Jukebox on this album...
(1989) - I'm Goin' Out Lika SoldierI'm Goin' Out Lika SoldierI'm Goin' Out Lika Soldier is second album by Willie D in 1992. This album was released after a falling-out with the Geto Boys and refers to the incident on the album in the following lyric "I left Charlie Brown on the cut, 'cause I felt like Snoopy, workin for Peanuts", referring to his feeling...
(1992) - Play Witcha MamaPlay Witcha MamaPlay Witcha Mama is the third album by rapper Willie D. It was released in 1994 through Willie D's independent Wrap Records label. Ice Cube, appearing in the title track, is the album's only featured artist from outside of Willie D's proteges....
(1994) - Loved by Few, Hated by Many (2000)
- Relentless (2001)
- Unbreakable (2003)
Charted singles
- 1992: "Clean Up Man"
Chart Position Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs # 51 Hot Rap Singles # 6
- 2002: "Dear God"
Chart Position Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs # 78 Hot Rap Singles # 4