Izzy Dunfore is a genuinely talented and exciting hip hop artist who has the drive, as well as the charisma, to be the next big thing. His influences begin in the Midwest of the U.S. and reach out all over the globe. He has collaborated with over 100 artists, written over 200 songs, and continues to wow audiences everytime he takes the stage. Born Lucas Lloyd Hewitt (9-11-80), Izzy Dunfore has made many connections through his work. He began his rap career recording under the name Luke Dogg and released his first recordings locally on an album called "Little Black Cap on a White Boy" in 2002.
He learned a lot from recording that album because it was his first time in the studio, paying for studio time, so he paid attention to everything the engineers showed him. In 2003, Izzy bought his own recording equipment and began production from home. His first attempts were captured and released that same year on an album called "Double Diamond Presents...". This was about the same time Izzy moved to Des Moines for the third time in four years. He was getting tired of working for other people, always being told what to do, and just going through the motions. Izzy wanted to be held to a higher standard.
He knew if he were going to reach his potential and expectations, he was going to have to live the part. He began selling drugs to make extra money, hung out at strip clubs, and started battling other mc's every week. This was a true test of Izzy's strength in the streets, as well as his ability and raw talent behind a microphone. By 2004, Izzy was living a fast paced life, but going no where in a hurry. He was working on a mixtape called "Originally Jacked" when he began planning a new beginning. Luke Dogg was growing to the point of change, and the "dogg" label was certainly beyond played out in the hip hop culture, and so the name Izzy Dunfore was adopted. He would become the one who never quits or gives up, no matter what is thrown at him.
The change was kept a secret until after the release of "Originally Jacked" and was met with many obsticals and hurdles to overcome. In 2005, decisions Izzy had made in the past couple years caught up to him. He was arrested in 2004, and while on probation, was raided by Ames and Story County Police and Drug Task Force. Unsure about his future, Izzy wrote two songs that would eventually break him into radio under his new name, Izzy Dunfore, which had lived up to it's creation right off the bat. The first song was called "I Can Deal With the Rain". At that time, Tony Tarbox was the host of "The Garage" a radio show which promoted local artists. He liked the song and asked if there was any other material available. Izzy offered him "Another Song of Mine". In that song, Izzy named the undercover officer who filed for the warrant to search his home. The Ames Police Department heard the song on the radio, called the station, and requested a copy of the song for their records.
Soon after, Izzy was asked to guest host "The Garage" and discuss the situation on air. This made the name Izzy Dunfore official, and the debut album "Only I" was released that same year. While "Only I" was being pressed up by Discmakers, Izzy Dunfore met Kombine began working as a group called "Simply Komplik8d". Together, Izzy and Kombine wrote and released "Front Page Newz" under White Trash Records. This was one of the busiest times of Izzy's life and career. He was on probation, in college, working a full time job, marketing a solo album, writing a group album, booking shows and pushing harder than ever before to create a "buzz". In 2006, just a few months after "Front Page Newz" was released, they put out another mixtape called "The Dunfore Project", which featured Kombine and Izzy along with collaborations from many other artists and friends in the MidWest. "Simply Komplik8d" was eventually prospected by DJ Starscream (#0 of Slipknot) and approached to be a part of his upcoming label, Tuff Bong Records.
They recorded eight songs with the new label when Starscream decided to sign Izzy Dunfore as a solo project, rather than Simply Komplik8d as a group. This put the group at odds and in March of 2007, the group split. In December 2007, Tuff Bong Records released the self titled album "Izzy Dunfore" into the world. "From start to finish, this record is a hit!" Izzy was given high expectations for this album, and shared the hopes of great success himself, however conflicts, cancellations, and internal management quarrels left Tuff Bong Records in ruins and left Izzy caught in the middle. He was made an offer to buy out his contract with the label, and did exactly that. Today, through all the drama and turbulence, Izzy Dunfore has found a friend and DJ in Fate, born Samuel Elgin (4-28-82). Izzy and Fate have been performing together across the country for thousands of fans. In 2009, Izzy and Fate moved to Minnesota and openned up the Dunfore Ranch which is home to Dunfore Records. The first release from Dunfore Records is "Fields of Opportunity", a double disc album. Izzy and Fate are currently touring and promoting the "Fields of Opportunity" album, and will be working with many artists along the road. Don't miss your chance to catch this act!! The World is DUNFORE!!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quotes:
"Izzy Dunfore is the genuine article. Every odd is against him and none of it gets in his way. First off, he's a white rapper from small town Baxter, IA, as if Des Moines isn't a hard enough city to make it from. With all this in his way, he holds down a complete album with hit after hit, not to mention myself and Mustache Pete are behind the desk. Izzy's energy at live performances is every bit as amazing as the album!!! Don't miss this guy!!!!
- DJ StarScream aka #0 of SlipKnot
"Izzy Dunfore is a refrehing breath of hip hop at its best. It is GEEfreshing to see Izzy plays with his own rulebook."
- Rob Gee, Adam Worldwide
"Izzy Dunfore is anything but done for, mixing smooth lyrics and hot beats, Izzy is proving himself to be the next king of the hip hop world."
- Brandi Power, Radio Personality KCCQ/105.1FM Ames
"Izzy makes songs that you listen to, not just hear. His music is brining hip hop back to where it needs to be! Izzy Dunfore is not ahead of his time, he's changing what time it is in hip hop. I relate to Izzy's music. Not because my life is similar to his, but because his lyrics put me in his shoes to see things the way he does.
If words could create a picture, Izzy Dunfore would be the Da Vinci of our time."
- Chris Jackson, Music Director, KZIA/Z102.9FM Cedar Rapids
"Izzy Dunfore is not just an audacious, bodacious, in-your-face, intelligent, and fearless rapper. He is a freakin' phenomenon!! I had the privilidge of co-producing his "Only I" cd, an unprecedented affront to hip hop mediocrity. His self-titled "Izzy Dunfore" cd with DJ StarScream (#0 of SlipKnot), takes his performance and sociopolitical statements to an internationally competitive level. Izzy is going to be HUGE!!!"
- Eric Henderson, BumbleFunk Music
"Izzy Dunfore is an artist who lights up the stage and has the crowd jumping from front to back. The shows pop off with a front man that will put is blood, sweat, and tears out in front of an audience. Izzy has a great presence and can make you have a good time. Not only do I see more to come from him, I know he will be around for a long time to come."
- Fonzo, Promoter, Omaha
"Izzy is a down to Earth, intelligent, awesome person who's got an amazing drive, and a great subtle sense of humor. His album is packed with non-stop, in-you-face- killer beats and lyrical rhythm so intense it will punch you square in the face and leave you begging for more. With the backing of Sid Wilson, it's only a matter of time before this guy makes it big."
- Stacia Hassett, Sound Engineer, musician, promoter, Los Angeles
|
