D.U.I. (Direct Underground Influence) was born David Andrew Stephens. He was born and raised in Atlanta Ga. and grew up in various parts of the city, mainly in East Atlanta and Decatur. Son of a drug kingpin, and very savvy “numbers” and business man, and a mother who graduated high school at age 16 and attended college. D.U.I. was born with the mental tools to excel in whatever field he chose. Unfortunately, that field became the streets.
By age five, his parents no longer together, D.U.I. was exposed to many hardships and adversities that a broken home creates. A very versatile lifestyle he had brothers, sisters, cousins and grandparents who were both white and black. Bouncing between two worlds he experienced riches when living with his father and poverty with his mother who never could regain her footing after parting with his father.

When D.U.I. was fourteen his father was sentenced to 20 years in Federal prison. However, he did instill in his son a good work ethic by allowing him to work at several businesses he owned. D.U.I. was often angry and felonious throughout his teens, resulting in an 8 year prison sentence at age 19 for aggravated assault and several other charges. The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) had ceased the previous year allowing inmates to earn a college degree, so while incarcerated D.U.I. exhausted the prison libraries. Having served 7 1/2 out of 8 years, D.U.I. was finally released in ’03,but old street ties lead him back to prison in ’06 for a 1 year sentence. It was in that year that D.U.I. finally matured and “grew up”. He read educational books such as ‘Guns, Germs and Steel’ by: Jared Diamond and ‘The Tipping Point’ and ‘Blink’ by: Thomas Gladwell Thinking back now, he says, “The one year was harder than the seven and a half!”.

D.U.I. grew up listening to Run-DMC, Whodini, N.W.A., Spice 1,Tupac and BIG. He says they were among his favorites and the most inspiring. He wrote his first rap at age 17 and when friends heard it they were amazed. It was their reactions that made D.U.I. realize he had a gift. Throughout his stays in confinement he honed his skills by jumping in ciphers. A natural at writing, a talent acquired from his mother, along with his life experiences and his self education give D.U.I. a unique edge he exudes when in casual conversation and on the mic. D.U.I’s nonchalant but confident charisma is evidence that he will be a significant presence in the music industry. With a flashy smile and dazzling eyes he will undoubtedly continue to capture the hearts of the ladies. D.U.I. IS Atlanta’s next self-made Capo!

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