DEADLEE - Rapper turned Actor

Deadlee Lyrics

So a lot of the homiez have been asking me for lyrics to my songs - so I have created a lyrics page! I will eventually get around to posting all my lyrics - but I did surprise you with the first Deadlee song lyrics tonight!  Here is the link - and if you have a request - the songs with the greatest requests will go up first! thanks homiez!  http://anotherdeadleeblog.typepad.com/deadleelyrics/ 

Sexuality and hip-hop at University at Buffalo

So my ears were burning-and I see my college educated homies are talking about the Deadlee Revolution! Check out the link!

http://www.ubspectrum.com/article/41194 

DEADLEE REEL

YouTube Video Resizer

DEADLEE Stand-Up Comedy at THE ICE HOUSE!

I have dusted off my funny bone & I am ready to make you laugh! I have not done stand-up for about 2 years, so this is your chance to come and support! World famous comedian Beny Mena is the host, and there will be a lot of laughs all night! Come support a homie & I hope I don't hear crickets!  THURSDAY, JANUARY 21st!

 

www.myspace.com/benymena

www.twitter.com/deadlee2213

DWD - DRIVING WHILE DEADLEE

I thought since the nation has been glued to the Professor Gates and Officer Crowley soap opera and subsequent "BEER SUMMIT" with President Obama, this would be a good time to share my police stories. I still remember my first exposure to police abuse when I was 16 years old. I was driving back home having just finished football practice. I saw the flashing cop lights in my rear view and pulled over. The first thing the cop said to me was - "Your head must be up your fucken ass"!  I sat dumbfounded and perplexed as to why I deserved such a comment. The cop said I was going too fast in a school zone. I had taken this route before and knew to slow down in the school zone. School hours were over, but I did not argue with the cop. He let me go, but left me with a warning - " I will let you go, but if it happens again I will take you in for being a dumb-ass."

Since that incident at 16 years old, I have been pulled over driving, walking, and even getting off airplanes, about 30 times in my life. I have a few favorite stories or I guess my least favorite was on my birthday. My mother came to visit me on my B-Day and we had just had brunch on the Venice Boardwalk. We began our trek back to my pad in Downtown L.A..  I noticed a lot of vehicles pulled over on Venice Blvd, like every half mile. I knew this stretch of road was in the notorious KKK town of Culver City. I was about half a mile from the L.A. border, when I saw the cop lights behind me. I pulled over in my mom's car with Colorado plates. The cop right away questioned who's car it was and basically being condescending the entire time. My mom spoke out once telling the police woman on her side that we had just come from birthday brunch - the cop lady responded. "Shut up mam, we were not talking to you." The incident ended by the cop giving me a ticket for invalid plate stickers?  When I later went to court on the incident, the judge didn't even understand why I was there and why the cop was wasting his time. 

I have been stopped walking from my apartment to my garage about 50 feet from each other. I left something in my car and went to my garage to retrieve it. Walking back to my door I was greeted by two cops with their guns pointed in my face. "Get down on the ground! what are you doing?"  I told them I lived here and was walking to my car and back inside. They asked for my ID which was back in the house. They continued to admonish me for not having my ID on me at all times. I didn't think a 50 yard walk to my garage meant I had to carry ID. I see with the Gates incident, even having ID in your own home is not enough for a man of color. My mom was visiting again at the time and when she heard the commotion outside,  asked what the matter was -- the police woman told my mom " Shut up mam or we will take you in too"!  When has it become a crime to ask a question to a cop? I felt bad because on at least 4 occasions my mom has been present when the cops are on DEADLEE watch.

The police assault on Deadlee is not only in Los Angeles. I went back to Denver to stay with my mom for a few months. I was enjoying a Cinco De Mayo Fair when I was circled by 10 cops. They questioned me on  why I was at the fair and gave me the third degree. I asked what I had done, and they said a lady complained to them that I looked like "I was up to something". I told the cops - that meant if I see a  lady I think is "up to something" would they go frisk her too? The cops looked stuck on stupid. I may look like a tough guy with tatts and a shaved head and brown -- but does that warrant being stopped for having cotton candy at a fair?

It was May of 2006, and I was flying back from doing a show in Minneapolis. I arrived back in L.A., and when I got off the plane - I remember seeing 10 guys all in Hawaiian shirts in the terminal. I didn't think much of it, as it may have been a group of tourists flying to Hawaii or something. I went into the men's room, and when I got out I saw the same 10 guys in their Hawaiian shirts outside the restroom. I continued to walk to get my luggage. I was waiting for my luggage, when I noticed the same 10 guys in Hawaiian shirts were now positioned all around the luggage area.  Now I am beginning to get suspicious. I am now thinking this may be a group of kidnapping brain-washers or something. My luggage drops down and I retrieve it. I start to walk to the exit doors and see that my roommates have arrived at the same time. I motion to them when all of a sudden the 10 Hawaiian shirt guys became 20 Hawaiian shirt guys. Ten of them stopped my friends and the others surrounded me.  They pulled out there FBI badges and said they needed to talk to me. Here I was being humiliated in front of all the passengers at LAX.  They questioned me on why I had gone to Minneapolis and who I was and if I had ever said anything bad about the President.They also wanted to search my bags - which seems weird when they were already taken through security. I kept one eye on the FBI agents looking through my bags so they didn't plant anything.  After a 30 minute questioning I was let go. The only thing they said is I was on a list and they couldn't tell me anymore?  Big Brother is watching our every move  and if you really think this is a free country - you are wrong!  I remember the entire plane ride I was reading a book by OSHO - who someone may have thought I was reading the Osama Doctrine or something lol. 

  

This is OSHO!! not OSAMA!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osho_(Bhagwan_Shree_Rajneesh)

NOTE TO FBI - Not all bearded brown men are terrorists!!

 

This brings me to an incident this last March. I work part time as a Health Aide, and was taking my client to an appointment at the hospital. I was driving their vehicle when about 2 blocks from the hospital a patrol car pulled up to the red light next to me. I kept my eyes forward, but felt the burn from the cops staring over at me.. The light turns green, and I see the cops slow down and get behind me. I signal and move over to the next lane since my destination is one block away. The cops do the same and turn on their lights. I turn right into the next block which is just one block away from my clients hospital. The police come to the truck with caution and suspicion. The cop asks me " Sup BOSS? - you think you run these streets boss?" I answer back -"boss?" He says - "Do you know where you are boss? this is Inglewood boss." I again replied boss? because I did not understand his line of questioning. I asked him why I was stopped and he told me -- "Let us do our job here boss and there will be no problem"-  He asked for my ID(Drivers License), and I told him it was in the back seat in my backpack. He questioned me why my ID was in the backseat and not on me. I really need to check California laws to see if an ID must be in your pocket at all times. I had an ID in the vehicle, but he told me to get out the truck. He proceeded to pat me down and frisk me.  I was wearing shorts and it may have been by accident but his hand swiped over my genitals when his hand went into my boxers and not just my shorts. He asked if I had drugs or contraband on me. He than put me in handcuffs after I asked him again what I was being stopped for. He put me in the squad car and began to search my clients truck. His partner came back to the vehicle and watched over me and my client who was also handcuffed and brought back to the police car.  I asked him what his partner was looking for when I told him my ID was in my backpack. This kind of search seems very unlawful to me - as it would be very easy to plant any kind of contraband in a vehicle.  5 minutes later the head officer comes back with my wallet and has me pull out my ID.  I questioned his partner again on how they could just put us in the car handcuffed without running my ID or telling us what we had done. He replied that Inglewood had a lot of terrible people and I need to understand that cops just want to get home to their families. I told him that they were profiling based on my look, and he said that Hispanic cops can't profile.  This cop was obviously the second in command and looked just as intimidated by his partner as we were. I have left out a lot of condescending words and intimidating posturing of the cop - my client asked me later if I knew him before -- because we looked like mortal enemies. 

When my ID was clear - the cops let us loose from the chains and told me if I had just cooperated from the start -- this would not have happened. My only "lack of cooperation" was asking what I was stopped for and why he kept calling me boss" - Ok - this is were it gets good - I get my ID back and we began to walk back to the truck still not knowing why we were stopped. I turned around and asked the cop - "may I have your badge number".  Let me tell you this right now  - asking for a badge number from a cop may be the worst thing to do. I saw the anger and fire from his eyes as he charged toward me and grabbed my ID out of my hands. He said  " the only way you get my badge number is on a ticket" He went back to his car with my Id and came back with a ticket. The rage in this man was something I had never witnessed in my life.  We got back into the truck and I looked at the ticket. He had charged me with STRADDLING THE LANE. Now if this was the charge from the start, why would he not have told me right away? There was no Straddling the Lane, and there was nothing I did wrong but DWD - DRIVE WHILE DEADLEE  -

 

I write this blog to put this out as public record -- because I fear for my life. That cop was Denzel Washington in TRAINING DAY times 20! I slept with one eye open a month after the incident.  I am now going through the court system to fight the ticket - which has already cost me days of worry, missed work days and over $200 in bail. I have also been stopped since that day and have decided to make the US ATTORNEY GENERAL aware of this abuse of my CIVIL RIGHTS.

I thank my family and friends who have had to be subjected to unfair treatment just because they were with me. Here is the letter I have sent out --- thanks !

 

 

 

HERE IS MY LETTER:

 

Subject:  VIOLATION OF MY CIVIL RIGHTS

I have a grievance – and by submitting this statement explaining my situation, I hereby request protection for my safety.

The exposure I bring about unfair practices and harassment by city and county law enforcement officials, primarily in Los Angeles City and County, but not excluding the City and County of Denver, has reached the point of causing a considerable amount of stress, and the inability to live a normal life, without fear of being subjected to undue and unjustified stops by police. I feel like a prisoner in my own home, because I feel unsafe and fearful; therefore, prohibiting me from having the freedom, as an upstanding American citizen, to leave my home, to work, to continue my education, to make trips to the market, to go out to dinner, to entertain guests (including my mother), walk my dog, to drive my vehicle – which is essential as my health care provider duties require transporting patients to and from medical facilities.    

Incidents have reached a serious level! I can’t count the number of times I’ve been stopped by police; being subjected to behavior by officers which is unacceptable, abusive, disrespectful, menacing and, in one case, a personal assault which I will explain in detail when I am afforded an audience or the opportunity to speak, in person, with authorities.

Most incidents did not justify a citation; however, “ticketed” incidents necessitated numerous court appearances – all of which were dismissed. In the eyes of the court, there were “no violations” or justification for officers writing citations.  These court appearances required a number of trips to court causing inconvenience, absence from my job/s, loss of income, stress and valuable time wasted. 

 I have never in my life had as much as a traffic violation, nor have I ever committed a crime. My adult life has been spent counseling at-risk and homeless youth –in group homes and in correctional-type facilities.

During the past year, I discontinued my youth service work and now am employed as a State of

California

certified caregiver.  My other job, and primary focus, is to pursue a career in acting, creative writing, and managing hip-hop artists.  I am the rapper known as DEADLEE.

 

I no longer have peace of mind nor the freedom to live in comfort and peace – all due to continued police harassment.  As I spent Independence Day, July 4, in my apartment, I thought to myself, “This is the land of the free” but where is my freedom?”  This, I pondered, only a few hours after being subjected to a stop by three police vehicles when I went to the market to buy milk.

During all incidents mentioned above, I have had witnesses in my vehicle: if not my mother, a friend or two.  For my safety and theirs, I held my composure and respect for the officers, although I did question the reason/s for the stop/s but responses from officers were rude, threatening and in some cases personally abusive.  Even my mother was subjected to verbal abuse and disrespect.  I can no longer tolerate unnecessary abuse at the hands of law enforcement and it is absolutely necessary and critical that these forms of harassment cease.  I do not have a history of violating civil or criminal laws and my question is: Am I being targeted by police because of the way I look?  I am a person of color.  Am I the subject of racial profiling? There has been no justifiable reason for police activity.  My civil rights have been violated and I have come to the conclusion that this is the reason I am being pursued by police – my physical appearance!!

There is so much crime in society which should be addressed by law enforcement.  Why are so many officers focused on stopping innocent citizens? It doesn’t make sense!

My mother is aware of all of the above and I am concerned about the stress and worry this is causing which could potentially escalate her current poor health condition. 

More in-depth detail will be provided upon request and/or response to this statement.

In an effort to bring attention to my grievance, this statement will be sent to city, state and federal officials. 

________________________________

Joseph T. Lee II

When Worlds Collide and Converge

I have just been added to this great event! Get your tickets now!

Artists include Jewish Trans Rapper MetaHuman, Gay Asian Performance Artist Eric Arimoto; the INFAMOUS DEADLEE, Asian Drummer Jang Woo Nam
Supported in Part by the Generosity of Doug Moreland, Roland Palencia and others

 

4 more info - http://anotherdeadleeblog.typepad.com/deadleegigs/

 

SF here I come!

I will be in SF in just one week! Check out the Fresh Meat site 4 info!

 http://www.freshmeatproductions.org/ 

NOH8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 http://noh8campaign.com/

"It's about the journey, not the destination."

Where do I start, without sounding old, bitter and/or jaded. I am sick and tired of some of the new breed of rappers I have been dealing with.  I have come to some conclusions after much introspection and just in time for the 'PICK UP THE MIC' DVD release.

I first need to rewind and clue you in on how I became the DEADLEE you see today. It was 1994 when I began to rap with my best friend ROQUE at house parties. From 95-2000 I was basically rapping as a hobby. It was not until 2000 that I decided to get serious. I was at my lowest having just ended a 6yr relationship, my car was stolen, and I was starting a new job. I put any extra money I had into recording. I took the bus to my producers twice a month for over a year recording my first CD, SEVEN DEADLEE SINS.

In 2001 with a completed CD I began playing open mics, Sunset strip bars, Gay bars, and basically anywhere I could. At the end of 2001, I got my first mention in a publication, called BLUE from Australia. That article became a launching pad for me. Juba Kalamka from the original gay rap group RAINBOW FLAVA and of DDC fame, saw the article in BLUE and invited me to the 2nd PEACEOUT FESTIVAL in Oakland in 2002. PEACEOUT was an international gathering of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender hip-hop artists, activists, fans and supporters to celebrate the LGBT presence in hip-hop music and culture.

I took my posse of 8 including BBoy dancers, my DJ, and HYPE guys up the 5 FREEWAY from Los Angeles to OAKLAND! I was in hip hop heaven, as I was amongst other gay rappers. Before this festival,  I had only heard of one-- JUDGE "DUTCHBOY" MUSCAT had been mentioned in VIBE Magazine as an open gay rap artist. I was honored to meet the only gay rapper I had known of as well as many others. Some of the others included, TORI FIXX, GOD-DES and SHE, CAZWELL, DDC, and MISTER MAKER followed by JENRO and JOHNNY DANGEROUS and QBOY the next year.

2003/2004 was non stop shows, recording a 2nd CD - ASSAULT WITH A DEADLEE WEAPON, and a lot of hard self promotion hitting papers, magazines, TV shows, and PRIDES. I was the subject of not one, but 2 documentaries- HIP HOP HOMOS and PICK UP THE MIC.  All this was going on while I continued working as a counselor full time. During this same time, I took a trip to NYC just to record a song with DUTCHBOY and spend some time with one of the OG OUT RAPPERS. I knew that if I wanted to make it, I had to learn from the ones that started it. 

My CD completed, I became frustrated that as a gay rapper there was not a lot of interest or buzz. My CD was collecting dust and was packed away in boxes. It was in 2006, I found a manager in Camilo Arenivar who believed there was still life in my CD. MYSPACE was the upstart site that finally gave me access to thousands of fans around the world. I also found a USC film school student, JOHNNY SKANDROS, who was so touched by one of my songs -'GOOD SOLDIER 2'- that he wanted to film a video.  LOGO TV came out in 2007 just in time for my video to debut on the station and eventually be one of the best of the year. 

This was just a set up for the HOMO REVOLUTION tour, which was the brainchild of my manager, and executed by both of us. Camilo knew that in order for us to really get attention, we would have to take our act on the road. We gathered a variety of LGBT rappers including some from PICK UP THE MIC, and some new ones. Just the name, HOMO REVOLUTION TOUR, got us attention that resulted in appearances on HOWARD STERN, TYRA BANKS, CNN and a lot more mainstream press. I would have to say that GAY RAP was on the HIP HOP radar!

2008 was time to see the fruits of our labor. So many of the rappers from PICK UP THE MIC made great professional gains with tours, videos, and great albums. I think the biggest and best surprises was the impact on the next generation of rappers. So this is where the conflict comes in. A lot of the new gay rappers that started to pop up claimed they had never heard  there were gay rappers already, or just didn't appreciate our styles. Whatever the case, it was already documented in PICK UP THE MIC. Some rappers took another route and reached out to the pioneers to help with their young careers. CAPTAIN MAGIK was a catalyst in the formation of OUTHIPHOP.com which was eventually created by Camilo Arenivar in 2008. 

I too was inspired by the new crop of out rappers, that I started LIL MILO MANAGEMENT in the tradition of my manager -- to advance the next generation of rappers with knowledge I had already attained. DREW MASON, DaLyrical, and CAPTAIN MAGIK are 3 of my out artists that I am proud to be a part of their growth as artists. I also made an impact on renowned author and iconoclast KHALIL AMANI S.A. - who became the spiritual advisor to out hip hop. He has been one of our few straight allies who not only wrote a book about our scene, Hip-Hop Homophobes, but regularly advances our cause  with a vicious tenacity.

This leads me to my only gripe! There are a few of the new rappers that do not know what being an artist is all about. They do not want to be artists, but they want to be stars. Maybe it is because the PICK UP THE MIC artists were before the MYSPACE, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE and TWITTER days when the struggle was part of the journey. We were picking up the mic because we grew up on and breathed hip hop. The stardom followed, but that was just reward for years of being on the grind!

Don't get me wrong, I see a lot of the new out rappers that understand what being an artist is all about. I also know that the work we PICK UP THE MIC artists have done whether you like it or not, has had a direct impact on the evolution of out hip hop. The overall message is that knowing our past will prepare us for the future.

I have had some personal struggles and animosity toward some of these newer artists that think they are stars overnight. A mention in SPIN magazine was not necessarily of their doing, but I think the fact they got some notice before a lot of struggle has left some with a warped sense of reality. I recommend all out rappers pick up a copy of PICK UP THE MIC when it comes on DVD so you can see the evolution of our revolution. The revolution is far from being over, but just a footnote to the newbies. ALL this didn't happen overnight so stay on the grind and make it easier for those that come after you.

Spiritual Advisor To Gay Hip Hop