Entertainment
Get Down with Dizzy
Dizzy Wright will be 26 years old in November, but he’s no stranger to the world of hip-hop music and entertainment. From a young age, he was into rapping and making hip-hop music, and his uncles are Layzie Bone and Flesh-N-Bone from rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Though he is originally from Las Vegas Nevada, he moved throughout his young teenage life to California and parts of the East Coast, before returning back to his home state of Nevada. Wright has been established as a rising talent among underground hip-hop and blends his skills as a lyricist MC and Rhymer with a sense of optimism and positive vibes that are spliced throughout his music. He has collaborated with so many other hip-hop artists and rappers throughout his career and currently released his new 702 EP, which came out in July. He recently took time to speak to CULTURE about his life in Sin City, what it’s like to work on collaborations, versus making music solo, his everlasting positive attitude, and his thoughts on what should be done with the capitol and tax money legal cannabis can raise in the state, if voters pass a bill that would allow for recreational use for adults in the November election.
Can you tell us about your new release, the 702 EP?
It is very personal to me. It has a lot to do with growing up in Las Vegas, as I mentioned. There are eight tracks. I have a guest appearance from Reezy and Easy Redd make Skate Maloley. It is just very raw and personal to me but I love the music, and I hope my fans enjoy it too. Timing was an issue. I wanted to continue what I am doing with making unique original music coming out of this town. There is a good scene and sound, not just myself but others that Vegas has to offer musically. I want to bring that out there to let the world hear.
“I personally think [cannabis] should be decriminalized at the federal level. I think most cops won’t mess with you unless you’re blatant in public or some big time drug dealer or pusher. Other than that medical marijuana is huge here, and there are lots of patients.”
With as many collaborations as you have done, do you find it easier to work by yourself or with others?
It’s a balance I find between both. If it’s an artist I like and respect genuinely it makes it easier. We all work together. Two brains do work better sometimes when it comes to lyrics and beats. But, I do work well by myself too. Whatever is pertaining to me in my life, I go off those vibes by myself. But I enjoy both working with other artists too.
How do you maintain such a positive attitude?
I’m naturally a positive person. My mother instilled a lot of good energy in me from when I was a little kid. It’s just always been in there with me. I always try to figure out how to be a better me, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I just find and use positive inspiration when it comes natural.
What is the cannabis scene like in Las Vegas? Do you think all 50 states will eventually decriminalize cannabis?
Absolutely I do. And as far as the weed scene here in Nevada, it’s half and half right now. Medical cannabis has made a big presence in the city, but there are still a lot of people who have an old way of thinking. They think that cannabis is a “gateway drug,” and can lead to the heavier harder drugs. Whatever happens if they don’t vote to legalize, medical weed will still thrive in this city. There are lots of people and groups that are for and against it. I personally think [cannabis] should be decriminalized at the federal level. I think most cops won’t mess with you unless you’re blatant in public or some big time drug dealer or pusher. Other than that medical marijuana is huge here, and there are lots of patients.
What do you think would be some of the positive aspects of the state(s) legalizing and taxing cannabis much like in Washington, Colorado, etc.?
Well, in Nevada for sure, I would say we could learn a thing or two from Colorado, in terms of the schools. A lot of people might not know that here in Las Vegas we have one of the richest cities with all the money flowing in, but one of the worst public school educational systems in the country. There is just not enough for kids to learn in school and take with them in life. I feel that leads to the wrong direction. Especially when it’s thrown in with a fast paced city, people just want to go after fast money, the wrong ways often times. But with the tools to be able to succeed in something without criminal activity should be the goal. I feel like the money raised for our schools from cannabis can do a lot of good if they use it and invest it in our students and schools. Plus, the money could be used to give the teachers and staff what they need. The city has a lot of money put into the strip but the local government needs to put more money into the residents and the kids. This isn’t known to be the most kid friendly town but our education systems could be better; I have a family with young children, so that’s just how I think about it.
