Diz Gibran

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Diz Gibran is one of those rappers that started young only because of the love for rapping. He never actively pursued a career in music, until recently, and now that he has been in the game for some years there seems to be a growing interest in this LA based talented artist. As a west coast rapper Diz Gibran is not of the typical sort. No gangsta but witty and introspective lyrics, kind of classical material.

Son of a diplomat, Khalil Bernard Kinsey (named after the great Lebanese poet) aka Diz Gibran spent a lot of time traveling around the world. He had seen the world by the age of 16 and, therefore, he had a different point of view and a lot to talk about. Music wasn't the only thing in his life even though he always loved it. In LA, he grew up skateboarding, spraying walls and rhyming. At Lincoln Elementary in Santa Monica, he had a group and they called themselves The Ill Kids - fun fact: Guru of Gangstarr came out on the Ill Kid Records - and in high school Diz got into the battle circuit. At this point, it was all still just for fun, no professional intentions yet. He also dwelved into the fashion side of it and is known as the co-owner of the skate shop Diamond Supply Company.

In 2005, he dropped a mixtape called Spin City vol. 1 which is his first one.

Download Spin City vol 1

There was supposed to be a second part but he got sidetracked and vol. 2 never came out. Spin City was made while he lived in Miami and the album has about 50/50 original material and mixtape instrumentals. Back then the recognition wasn't huge.

In 2009, Diz got back and bigger as his Soon You'll Understand tape came out. It was brought to us by the lifestyle clothing brand Crooks and Castles. Produced by Moonshine, the album has evoked a lot of attention in two years. He has performed with such names as Mos Def, Busta Rhymes, The Game and Clipse, he's been adopted by bloggers all over the world and the industry is starting to warm up, too. Back in 09 Hip Hop Official posted about the album and gave huge credits: "it’s doper than Amy Winehouse’s blood stream".

The buzz keeps on growing. Diz Gibran is a favorite of mine and I believe that he'll be huge in some years. I'm really looking forward to his new stuff to come out because the co-operation with Moonshine has definitely pleased us listeners. Soon You'll Understand represents also the kind of hip-hop that Diz really wants to do so probably the two will keep on working together and bringing us good quality stuff.