DAZE G.S.D.: Waking Up Hip-Hop from Her Coma

The Makings of DAZE GSD

On stage or sitting in a coffee shop, DAZE brings with him the same sincerity that he puts into his music. Born Michael Braxton, this Bronx native is doing plenty to take his music and his company Get Shit Done Worldwide (G.S.D.) global. On the grind for 11 years now, DAZE found his “first love, my first drug” in High school. At the age of 17, he began manipulating his poetry school assignments into messages for the masses. He recalls his music lair being equipped with nothing more than a PlayStation, the FunkMaster MTV Music Generator video game, and headphones he used as a microphone. He shares, “My cousin connected the PlayStation to the stereo to the computer. That was our first studio. If we messed up, we would have to record the whole song all over again. That was crazy”

His music alias DAZE started out as a neighborhood nickname. Soon the Bronx rapper discovered his mic delivered bars left his audience in the daze he was named after. “When I started performing the audience wouldn’t clap or would stay stuck looking at me. In time I found out it was a good thing. I basically like confusing my fans, stimulating their minds a little bit,” DAZE GSD says. Avoiding the cliché “I’m a real rapper” description, fans have come to expect lyrics they can relate to in this recession. “I’m bringing them pain, joy. I bring an emotion to the music which has been lost for a few years now,” DAZE says.

In an industry that tries to put labels on artists, DAZE GSD mentions, “I wouldn’t say I’m a rapper. I just like getting my point across through rap. I feel more like a messenger just following God’s plan.” Keeping faith and the blessings he receives from his fans close to his heart, up until recently, DAZE experienced a three year absence from music. “A close friend got murdered right in front of my building. In ‘07 I fell into a depression,” DAZE GSD shares. In 2003, DAZE almost lost his life after being sliced in the neck and stomach by someone he considered a friend. DAZE explains, “Faith and believing in God is what keeps me grounded. I actually have a tattoo on my wrist that says believe in God.”

What DAZE GSD Music is All About

His last mixtape State of Confusion, released as a free download in December 2010, leaves out the groupies and expensive lifestyles associated with mainstream hip-hop. Instead, DAZE’s bars are stitched together with hunger, passion, and talent. Performing tracks off of his mixtape, the audience noticeably absorbs his fervor. “It could be two people, ten people, or ten-thousand. I don’t care. It’s the same way I rap in front of a mirror. You have to give it your all. There is no difference,” DAZE GSD says. And he gives his all every time he grabs a mic speaking directly to “people that have struggles, wake up, and go to work to pay the bills.”

Currently DAZE is working simultaneously on two mixtapes: The 90’s Mix-Tape and a follow up to his first mixtape titled State of Confusion Vol.2: The Warning. The 90’s themed compilation is intended bridge the ages of then and now. Dj Peeto will be the host on The 90’s Mix-Tape scheduled to be released around September 21^st 2011. State of Confusion Vol.2: The Warning is set to drop December 2011. Both mixtapes will be available on http://www.GSDWORLDWIDE.comas free downloads.

DAZE GSD is transitioning his dreams into tangible goals. As he tries to find a balance between promoting himself as an artist and managing G.S.D. Worldwide, DAZE GSD shares his vision for world recognition. “Eventually I want to head out to the mid west, west coast, over seas, even Japan. Right now, I’m worried about DAZE. I’m pushing myself out there as many places as I can go. At the same time I’m representing the company. I really believe I can make G.S.D. Worldwide into a million dollar company,” he says.

Hip-hop may be many things right now, but DAZE GSD brings his own truth to the genre. With two mixtapes set to drop less than 6 months apart, DAZE is ambitious with very few limits. “I have no idea what is it but something’s there. I’m just knocking on the door for the world to hear me,” he says. Taking his Bronx roots and infusing his lyrics with the gritty struggle for recognition, DAZE GSD could possibly be the next name following the current Bronx movement set by Fred The Godson. “New York is the powerhouse of hip-hop. We never lost it. We just took a back burner and let other people rock out. Hip-hop is great because it’s global, but it’s missing me,” says Daze.

–
Keep up with DAZE and his G.S.D. movement at one of the following links:

Facebook – Twitter - Reverbnation -  G.S.D. Website

Words with DAZE GSD

What has 11 years in the game taught you?

When I first started I signed with this company in Brooklyn. After my contract was up my manger was murdered at the studio. That did put my career on hold for a few years. I basically had to deal with a lot of growing up to do emotionally, spiritually. I lost a lot of close friends. A few artists I knew got murdered. All types of crazy shit happened in my life but I take that as a blessing because I learned not to take life for granted. But I also noticed how you have family. Some family help and some family don’t show up until the money comes in. That’s the sad thing about life. Some friends become enemies and some enemies become friends. That’s just the business. That’s what I’m seeing now.

What was the premise of G.S.D. Worlwide?

It embodies what I do. It started off as a little crew from the block rapping in the room. I decided to take it a step further and take it seriously. I started G.S.D. from scratch. I made it into a company and started making revenue for my talent. I don’t have a management or a budget. It’s me, my crew, there’s DJ’s, producers. I’m on the run all over the place but the acknowledgement feels good.

What’s your most memorable performance?

My first performance at Iguanas earlier this year. The energy behind it knowing it was my first performance in three years. I came out of a three year depression. In 2007, a close friend got murdered right in front of my building. Iguanas was my comeback and I really appreciated the love. I had the crowd jumping everyone had a good time.

When will you be able to breathe? What will it take for you to sit back and say wow I got here?

I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied. 2010 changed my whole sleeping order. The day I relax is when I’m old and can’t do much else. My thing is I love art period. If you have talent I want you to be successful. It’s cool that I’m an artist but I’m trying to build that bridge from the streets to the industry. DJ Megatron RIP was a good bridge from the streets. They took away his life because of stupidity.

What’s your goal in making music?

To touch people’s soul. Try to make a difference in their life and in their mind state. Bring them to a positive more productive mindset. Try to just keep away from the negative and bring love back. There’s too much hating and I’m better than you going on. I’m just trying to enjoy life and speak to the world through my mic.