GET FAMILIAR: DarealaFlex45

These days, southern Vermont artist DalrealaFlex45 has been busier than ever, juggling his own music, working with The Horsemen team, and being a tireless advocate for some of the 802's most overlooked artists. Fresh off the release of his best project yet, The Manifesto, it was past time to talk shop.

As you're about to see, the man is a fascinating mix of provocation and diplomacy, deeply respectful of the local scene but still ready to agitate for improvement. That's nothing but a good thing, and this was an excellent, thoughtful conversation. Enjoy.

VTHH: Who do you consider your influences in terms of your style and approach?

DarealaFlex45: When I first started writing, I had a heavy influence from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Every time I bought one of their albums, on the surface, it was a mystery what they were saying. It made you pay attention in order to decipher their lyrics. This intrigued me to no end. In one way I didn't want to be considered a “biter”, so I approached their style, while putting some Southern Charm on it. The more collaborations Bone did, the more my musical library grew. They turned me on to The Notorious BIG, Pac, Pun and it branched from there.

My approach evolved over the years. Ten years ago you would have heard a different subject matter throughout my music. Seeing the music industry today, I feel the narrative needs to change. Awareness of what is going on in the world today is more important than making someone dance. I remember hearing a Cardi B interview. She said she was not responsible for being a role model to the young girls who listen to her music. I completely disagree with her statement. This is why the narrative and approach changed for me.

VTHH: What was your sense of the Vermont scene when you arrived? Was it obvious there was Hip Hop here or did it take awhile to find?

DarealaFlex45: I had no clue Vermont had a Hip Hop scene. It was not until I got introduced to live shows at Club Metronome in Burlington. Colby Stiltz opened the door and David Phair showed me more. I paid to have a spot on that stage. $25. I was under the impression, in order to be a part of the scene, you had to pay to get in. I know now that is untrue.

VTHH: When it comes to the southern VT scene, do you think the problem is just getting artists into venues and onto local radio -- or is there also a ton of undiscovered talent because of that lack of outlets?

DarealaFlex45: I feel Southern Vermont has some talent but the talent we have has nowhere to flourish. I have been put on to a location in Rutland, Vermont that welcomes Hip Hop. I was unfamiliar with the place but intend on establishing a good working relationship with them. Burlington is a hike for the artist here and it would be refreshing to have a type of venue where local talent can shine. Where the culture is accepted as it is in Burlington.

I see Southern Vermont being like the south was in Hip Hop, in general. When Andre 3000 went to The Source Awards and said “The south got somethin' to say”. Publications would barely cover the south. Great pieces of work get unnoticed which makes the grind that much harder.

VTHH: When I interviewed Just Cauz, he mentioned a show at Magic Mountain at the genesis of The Horsemen. How did that gig come together? Had any of you guys shared the stage before that?

DerealaFlex45: Nothing against my brother, Cauz, but that was not the genesis of The Horsemen. It was a great show but not the genesis. We would be asked to perform at different places but on separate sets. We would be placed one after another. We hung out so much outside of Hip Hop I just asked the guys if they would prefer me making a Super Set. The way I put the sets together, it made the DJ's job 10 times easier. It would be just one MP3 instead of 16 different files. So, we started doing the Super Sets. Hampton Beach, Keene, and Babes Bar. Super Sets were the formula.

Magic Mountain came about due to Hip to the Hops, asking my manager (at the time) David Phair. He got in touch with me about wanting to do a 45 minute set. In my infancy of performing, I was super intimidated by the size of the set. I got a hold of Forever Fresh and asked him to bless the stage with me. He was more than happy to help. Fresh and I killed that set. After we got off stage, the promoter asked if I had more material, because a group didn't show. Just Cauz and SirhcoBangz came to Magic Mountain to support. They were not on the card. I told the promoter that my team was in the building and probably had something. Sirhco brought his laptop, not knowing he would have to use it. He had sets for him and Cauz so they went up there and killed it. We then left Magic Mountain to go over to Donovans in Bellows Falls and rocked out with Street Religion and Raw Deff. That's how that night went.

The genesis of The Horsemen involved Raw Deff, Forever Fresh, SirhcoBangz and myself. We were at my house, making a track for my album, Best Kept Secret. That song is entitled “5 Oh Foe”. After we showed Deff The Minute Song, he was like “Yall should call yourself 'The 4 Horsemen”. We loved the idea. We filled Just Cauz in on the idea. He was game. The only issue was Konflik was involved with a northern Vermont group by the same name. Him and I talked about what we were doing. Imma real dude. Konflik and his crew had the name before us so I lobbied to change our name to The Horsemen. Everyone agreed and the rest is history.

VTHH: Is it accurate to call you The RZA of The Horsemen? What is your long term vision for the crew and the brand?

DerealaFlex45: I can't honestly say “I'm The RZA” of The Horsemen. I'm “Dareala” of The Horsemen. I honestly see The Horsemen like The Marvel Cinematic Universe. Started out with Iron Man, The Hulk, then Captain America, then Thor. Then they all came together to form The Avengers when it was necessary. We came into Vermont Hip Hop as four individual artists, coming together to make a Supergroup.

I don't claim to be a “leader” of the group. I let my dedication to the culture, my craft, my work ethic, and finally, my projects show who I am. I put the same effort into a Horsemen album as I do my own solo project. At the end of the day people will come to the conclusion they feel. All I know is if I have a goal, I want to accomplish that goal. I will be super focused on that goal. If that makes me a leader to some... I can dig it. As for the future, who knows where it's gonna go.

VTHH: Your latest LP, The Manifesto, covers a huge range of styles and feels. Was that a calculated move to reach multiple markets or was that just a reflection of your own taste and the music you love?

DarealaFlex45: Every LP I work on, I approach it like Quincy Jones approached Thriller, with Michael Jackson. So many singles that were great! The song placement in the track list is important! You don't wanna have one half, hyped, and the other half somber. I feel an artist should grab the listeners attention, out the gate! This is why “By The Hour (Flowers)” was the intro to the album. It's very lyrical and grabs the ears of the ones listening to the album. Then you wanna follow with a single. “GTFU” is a single as well as a statement track. It's kinda like “Beat Drop” from BKS.

I'm also an artist who wants to put my listeners on to the “real talk” of my content. Some people are not trying to hear conscious Hip Hop, but if you can insert the consciousness into dope beats, great rhythms and memorable cadences, those conscious lyrics will be overlooked and become embedded in their minds without them knowing it. LOL It's kind of like the Underground Railroad of Hip Hop. Wade in the Water style!!!

VTHH: Your team just delivered a heavy track for the NAACP down in Rutland, “Black America.” In the aftermath of all the protests and conversations that 2020 triggered, do you feel like Vermont culture has shifted and changed, or is it just the same attitudes as before, only with Black Lives Matter signs on their lawns now?

DarealaFlex45: I feel Vermont culture has changed in a way to where more people want to have the conversation. I feel as though more attention has been brought to the topic of black lives and the plight of the minority. Some would rather place a “BLM” sign in their front yard instead of going on the corner and protesting. Some do it for the trend. I can only tell you from my own account: I have seen the discrimination. I have experienced racism, whether in the justice system or the neighborhood; down south as well as in the Green Mountain State. I try to conduct myself as a student, learning what I can about myself and my community so people around me know it is ok to have the conversation. It's needed in order to heal and move forward. To answer your question, I feel there is a shift as well as a resistance to the shift.

VTHH: Do you feel your personal goals, in terms of your music career, have evolved and changed over the past 5 years?

DarealaFlex45: As I said in my track, “What If” off The Manifesto: “The older I get the more that I sit. Just think about shit and let my psyche wander a bit...” The older I get the more I want my message to impact someone in a positive way. I want people to be able to relate to what they hear. One thing I can't STAND is listening to “rappers” talk about things they do not have. Things they do not do. You know these people, personally, and you know they don't do 90% of the content they rap about! I feel it is dumbing down our culture.

When I first started in Hip Hop, I said to myself: “If I can make $80,000, to buy my Grandmother's home after she passes, I have reached my goal. I will do it for free after that.” At first, it was all about getting that money. Now, it's about the message. It's about showing people Hip Hop is not all about killing and jewelry. It's not all about drug usage and degrading women. Being in Vermont, Hip Hop is not automatically accepted as it would be in places like New York, LA or Atlanta. We are in a Bluegrass state. Our Hip Hop package has to be so attractive that even the Bluegrass lovers will respect our craft and respect our culture.

I remember when I put out “2018 A Slave”. Jibba The Gent called me the next Andre 3000, due to the subject matter I put in that song. I definitely took this as a compliment but continued to work to be the first someone and not the next someone. So, I continue to strive to better myself and my craft.

VTHH: For independent artists, the hustle is basically DIY everything. Out of that constellation of roles and job descriptions you have to take on, what are the areas you'd like to get professional, experienced help with the most? What do you think 802 is missing, in terms of our music business?

DarealaFlex45: With my music as well as The Horsemen's final project, I wear A LOT of different hats. What I try to stress to others is the importance of learning the steps as you go along. You know, why continuously send your stems to someone to mix down for you when you could do it, yourself? Instead of sending thousands to another person, invest that money into getting what you need in order to be more self-sufficient. I would personally like to get professional help with marketing and promotion.

I feel Vermont Hip Hop is missing exposure. There are a lot of talented men and women who pick up the microphone here. Men and women who adore the culture, want to learn from it, and most importantly, give back to it.

I feel it is missing true inclusion. It's funny to sit back and look at the Vermont Hip Hop scene because even though we ALL are underground... There is a mainstream in VT Hip Hop. Some people are invited to it and some are left to the underground. Some get more “props” while the others don't. I was asked by a guy I truly respect, as a person and an artist: “Why do you look for other rappers' validation?” I don't feel it is looking for validation. If Eminem put an album out and MTV didn't mention it, I bet he would wonder why. With a small number of outlets that highlight local Hip Hop, it's looking for the same inclusion.