Despot (rapper)
| Despot | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alec Reinstein |
| Born |
May 7, 1982 Queens, New York, United States |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Definitive Jux |
| Associated acts | |
Alec Reinstein (born May 7, 1982), better known by his stage name Despot, is an American hip hop artist from Queens, New York City. He was signed to rapper El-P's label Definitive Jux in 2004. Despot has been a part of the New York underground rap scene for over a decade. Despot is associated with the Smart Crew collective and a co-owner of Santos Party House.
Despot grew up in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens. He became involved in hip-hop at an early age, claiming that its prevalence amongst kids in his neighborhood made him appreciate rap. Around the age of twelve, Despot began to hang out with a Brooklyn gang called the Lo-Lives, most notable for wearing Polo Ralph Lauren clothing. Despot identifies himself as hopelessly addicted to sneakers and Polo clothing.
Despot claims to have been more of a delinquent as a teenager because he constantly listened to Mobb Deep's The Infamous. Upon buying 6 Feet Deep, supergroup Gravediggaz' first album, Despot wore baggy pants and carried a Panasonic boom box around with him. He was given the nickname "Puff" because of his marijuana use. During his years in junior high school, Despot and his friends rapped over an instrumental tape of "Worldwide" by Royal Flush. Despot's friends told him he was the most talented of the group, and he began to write rhymes.
He attended high school in Manhattan, where he and friend Yak Ballz (who was also signed to Definitive Jux) would frequent Footwork, the East Village record store owned by radio personality Bobbito García. It was through Garcia that Despot would eventually meet El-P. After graduating high school Despot attended SUNY Purchase, but later dropped out "after realizing it was boring." Despot still went back to the school to organize its Culture Shock festival in 2004 and 2005, and he performed at the event in 2007.
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