DRASTIC
NEW RELEASES
This is the of Drastic
His educational journey,
which continues to be a life priority, began at the meek age of three at Phillis Wheatley
Elementary School. Even in those early years, it was apparent that he was destined to perform on a variety of stages -
academically, athletically, and especially, musically. Yeah, he was THAT student - dynamic, multi-faceted, and driven to
excel in many settings be it at the desk, the soccer field, the basketball court, or the summer enrichment camps at
UW-Madison.
His earliest performances
were in classrooms where he was a ‘one-man-band’ just trying to entertain his peers. David
further enhanced his skills in middle school as he played both the string bass and the harmonica. Ultimately, though, it
was in his freshman year at James Madison University High School that a new identity was born - Drastic (shout-out to
older peer and fellow Milwaukee rapper, Micole L.O.V.E. Gentry, for being part of that process). The cafeteria became
his new venue to showcase his beats, his rapping, and his battle abilities. That transferred with ease to the Miramar
Theater, the Rave, Club Leoric, Club Zarkos, Diamonds, and so on, and marked the beginning of a now decades-long
commitment to honing his craft so as to make a permanent impact on the Milwaukee hip hop scene. The onset of
adulthood brought both strides and setbacks in this journey.
To his credit,
in 2004, two years after graduating from high school, Drastic and high school friend Tristan VSS a.ka. Mke
Tristan Polnitz, co-founded Militia Minded Records which included thirteen members. This local pursuit became an
entity of the regional independent label (entertainment/distribution company) they also co-founded - the Midwest
Alliance. Under Drastic’s leadership and via the use of company-based social media outlets, this remains a place for
Midwest artists to promote their content and to access supporting services such as writing, production, photography,
videography, and engineering.
To his detriment,
in 2007 and 2008 Drastic wound up in legal trouble (a shooting case) that resulted in prison time just as Universal Records was taking an interest in him. When he was released in 2009 from Boot Camp, he continued his
musical pursuits and quickly created a buzz once again. Unfortunately, that was short-lived due to another incarceration
(drug possession) later that year. After being released at the end of 2012, he traveled back and forth between Madison
and Milwaukee collaborating with long-time family members and friends: Marquese D.J. Sixteen Ford, Lemondre Big
Poppitwang Johnson, Brian Killa B. Suggs, Hamp Squad, and Hamp Vill (KVC). Regrettably, he returned to prison in 2013
for a short stint and was released after serving a parole violation. He was only out for four months before being indicted
for being the keeper of a house of prostitution, which was ultimately dismissed on trial, but still led him to serve three
years revocation time.
In spite of interruptions
resulting from incarcerations, his aspirations remained intact. His experience in the system
profoundly impacted his worldview and the results of that are clear in many layers of his musical approach. Drastic’s
songs, such as: “Black Sheep,” “Drastic - Politically Incorrect,” “Elohim King,” “The Minstrel Show: The Willie Lynch
Episode,” “Black KKKlansmen,” and “War Goin’ On” all put that reality on blast and hit really deep. Yet, even in the midst
of personally grappling with those effects, he looked for ways to redirect his energy so as to uplift his future (and that of
his daughter, Kailani, born in 2019) and to lend support to others. From this place (of renewal and growth?), he and J.
Billa co-founded Bev Boyz in 2021. They have already completed one album together, “Our Piece of Art,” and future
projects are also in the works. Additionally, Drastic is currently running a revamped version of FACT (Felons and
Community Together), a program originally founded in the late 1970s by his father and his uncle, Michael McGee (a
renowned Black Panther), to make resources available to ex-convicts. He aims to follow in their stead by being a
change-maker and building off of their successful efforts in the greater Milwaukee area because, once again, the
community is facing drastic times and is, therefore, in need of Drastic’s measures.
Between 2023 and 2024
He aims to finalize a single song deal with Sony (Buss Down), graduate with an Associate of Arts
Degree from MATC, and start his Bachelors in Business Administration. Each of these will help to move him closer to
fulfilling some of his other objectives:
- ● Promoting the Bev Boyz album, “Our Piece of Art”
- ● Releasing his solo album “Better Late Than Never”
- ● Continuing his Mixed Tape Series (Level Series, No Features Series, The Making of a Real Emcee, Alien vs. Predator)
- ● Reigniting the FACT Program
- ● Elevating the status of the Midwest Alliance
He is driven to achieve for the benefit of his greatest life accomplishment - his darling Kailani!If you choose to evaluate him by his “numbers” (after all, this IS America), here are a few of them to remember beyond his five bids:
- ● 35: the age when he intentionally became a father
- ● 300 : the number of college credits he intends to earn
- ● 300: total number of songs he’s dropped so far
- ● 5,000: total number of songs he’s recorded so far
- ● 10,000: total number of songs he’s written thus far (from country rock to R&B to rap/hip hop. etc.)
- ● Countless: amount of performances he’s done so far
His life has made him who he is - Drastic - a poet, writer, engineer, producer, executive director, short film creator, and, ultimately, an entertainer.