I make all my music on GarageBand on my phone. Most of it was recorded outside in one take with no lyrics written down so some of my songs I don’t even know the words to. I just post what I have here so I have a constructive outlet for the Big Sad. It’s all bittersweet. Feel free.

Dopeboy Ra…. Artist, Producer, Dope Republic Inc…  Born Rodriquez Smith, business-savvy, and street smart, these are only a few words that describe the rap game's phenomenon. His life reads like a compelling novel about a young man struggling to survive, spending half his youth under the guidance of his grandmother and the remaining half being raised by the streets. Atlanta-born and bred reigning from the infamous Zone 3 all the way to Zone 6, this promising athlete enjoyed football and attending school until problems at home and street temptations led him astray.

A product of a working-class family, Dopeboy Ra was raised by his grandmother and the streets equally. Witnessing the lowly-behavior that often comes along with deprived living condition caused him to grow up fast, not giving him the opportunity to make a lot of childhood friends.
Instead, the self-admitted attention-craver found companionship in his older brother and cousins who as he stated "were living the life I wanted to lead." Even though their hustle-by-day and party-by-night lifestyle attracted his young eyes, it was the music they listened to that intrigued him the most.

Citing 2Pac as the first artist that captured his full attention, Dopeboy Ra was also exposed to the likes of Southern Hip Hop icons Outkast, UGK and 8Ball & MJG. Before long, the youngster was memorizing the raps, which lead to him writing his own. So instead of spending time in class, he was either on the block or in the studio, learning as much as he could about the music business. Once he was able to navigate his way around the sound boards, he began recording. Initially, his songs were just unformatted freestyles over tracks but, as time progressed, Ra began to see his potential and how much the street life didn't have to offer him.

Therefore, he studied the art of making music by observing local producers and upcoming artists. Although Ra’s life has been filled with many hardships, he was dedicated to change his situation and confident that his musical talent will be the vehicle that drives him into the speakers of hip-hop music lovers around the world. Ra vows to live his life reaching for the top because the bottom is just too crowded.

www.DopeRepublicInc.com

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