Interview: Drew & Fev (Part One)

Here's the first of our two part exclusive interview with DNF, a local North Carolina rap duo.

What's the first rap record you remember listening to and really connecting with on a personal level?
"I would have to say Eminem - The Way I Am." – Drew
"Ice Cube -Today Was A Good Day." - Fev

When did you know you wanted to be a rapper?
"I always was a huge fan of music/lyrics since I was young, but I realized around 22." – Drew
"Around 17."- Fev

Who do you recommend your music to?
“Anyone, only ‘cause I feel like there’s no category for music, it’s either good music or bad music. My goal is to attract all types of people.” – Drew
“Everybody.”- Fev

Rap's all about one upping everybody else. What sets you apart from the crowd?
“I feel like I’m on a 5 lane highway going 120 while everyone else is in one lane; tunnel vision.” – Drew
“I’m going to be able to record a song with Snoop Dogg, Limp Bizkit, Elton John, Christina Aguilera, and Rick Ross and still be the same person through each experience.”- Fev

What's in heavy rotation in your iPod right now?
“D.N.F, Wiz Khalifa, Tyga, Fabolous, Rick Ross, Pusha T.” - Drew
 “D.N.F, Rick Ross, Tupac, H-Town, AZ, Nas, Mint Condition, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly.” - Fev

What's your proudest moment as a rapper so far?
“To watch myself grow/improve after every track I make.”- Drew
“Making 125 in a year’s span.” – Fev

It's pretty common to rap over someone else's beat. What kind of pressure is there to get on a track and compete like that?
“There’s never any pressure, ‘cause it’s not a competition. If I like the beat, I’m gonna rap over it.” –Drew
“I’m not trying to compete with the artist, I’m just trying to put my swaver on it.” – Fev

Walk us through your writing process. How do you arrive at a finished product and
think "This is the song I want to release"?
“[I’ll] pick a beat depending on the mood I’m in, start writing, lay the track and it’s a wrap. I think the key is to keep making music ‘cause you never know which one is the hit.” – Drew
“Find a beat, come up with a hook, and if I’m in the mood to write I will; otherwise I’m just going in, frestyle.” - Fev

In your opinion who is the most underrated in the game right now? The most overrated?
“Underrated is Joe Budden, overrated is Jay-Z.” – Drew
“Underrated is Tyga, overrated is Jay-Z.” - Fev

If you can hop on a track with any one rapper, alive or dead, who would it be, and why?
“I would have to say Big L (R.I.P.), ‘cause he was so ahead of his time, it was crazy. In ’95 he was saying shit that would be relevant now.” – Drew
“Tupac (R.I.P.) ‘cause he would bring something out of me I didn’t know I had in me.”- Fev

What are your plans for the next few months and a little longer down the line?
“Keep making music, hit as many open mics and just network and keep grinding.” – Drew
“Make another 200 tracks and mass produce them.” - Fev