Willie D | |
---|---|
Birth name | Willie James Dennis |
Born |
The 5th Ward, Houston, Texas, United States |
November 1, 1966
Origin | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
Genres | Hip Hop, Southern hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Rapper, record producer |
Years active | 1988–present |
Labels | Rap-A-Lot Records |
Associated acts | Geto Boys, Scarface, Bushwick Bill |
Website | willied.com |
Willie D (born Willie James Dennis; November 1, 1966, Houston, Texas) is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, and advice columnist who gained fame as the lead member of the pioneering rap group from Houston, Geto Boys.
Willie took up boxing at the age of 11. In 1985 he became the Golden Gloves Champion for the State of Texas. Rather than become a professional boxer, he decided to become a rap music MC. He attended Forest Brook High School but in 1986, two months prior to his scheduled graduation, he was expelled for fighting. He never returned to school.
His 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 was featured on a Track on Mike E. Clark's Extra Pop Emporium along with Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid called Scrubstitute Teachers. In April, 2012 he released "Hoodiez" featuring Scarface, D-Boi and Propain. The song quickly went viral and became an internet hit. It is a tribute to slain teenager Trayvon Martin who was shot by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman.