011 Hardcore Underground Rap / Hip Hop Artist – Lord Ezec (Danny Diablo)

Danny Diablo / Lord Ezec
Hardcore Underground Rap / Hip Hop Artist

Heavily tattooed, New York based, underground hip hop recording artist Danny Diablo a.k.a. Lord Ezec, is a hardcore Jew that I am proud to introduce you to. Who is Lord Ezec / Danny Diablo you’re wondering? Well in 1994, Lord Ezec / Danny Diablo who’s real name is Daniel Singer, formed the critically acclaimed New York Hard Core (offshoot of the NYC punk scene) act Crown Of Thornz under the moniker Lord Ezec.

In 1995, Lord Ezec branched off with members of NYHC act Madball to form Skarhead. Skarhead epitomized the hardcore lifestyle, living day to day, hand to mouth in an unforgiving world filled with drugs and violence. Skarhead toured with The Misfits, GWAR and Hatebreed. Skarhead toured around the United States and the world and peaked at the 1999 summer Warped Tour alongside acts such as Suicidal Tendencies, Eminem, Sevendust, Ice-T, Dropkick Murphys and Blink 182. Skarhead eventually called it quits in 2002 because the idea ran its course. The moniker Lord Ezec would give way to Danny Diablo as he began to explore hip hop.

Danny went on to found the multi-MC collective, the Shotblockers along with Danny Boy of House of Pain, Slaine, Big Left, Hoya Roc, Prince Power Rule, Panic, G-Fella, Puerto Rican Myke and Damian Burnz. Danny is the head of the pack with the world wide crew called the Dirty Money Syndicate. Danny is also involved in a project with Underground juggernaught Necro and Toronto based gangster rappers Riviera Regime called Jewish Gangsterz which is an all Jewish MC group.

Who are the Jews in your family? Both Mother and Father Jewish?

Both my Mother and Father.

Any interesting Jewish family? Interesting lineage?

My Grand pa’s family on my father’s side came came from Poland. He was a second or third cousin to Isaac Bashavis Singer, the famous author.

How do you define yourself? A rapper? A hip hop artist? Producer?

I am an all around entertainer but most of all an underground artist.

Where did your “name” come from?

My street name is Lord Ezec which comes from the biblical name Ezekiel. I used Ezec as a graffitti name and then for my early bands as a stage name. I now use Lord Ezec when I produce music. I use Danny Diablo now for stage and screen.

Are you signed to any labels?

I have my own little underground label called ILL-ROC Records. I am also in a band called Icepick with Jamey Jasta from Hatebreed and we are signed to Stillborn Records. I am now signed as Danny Diablo to HellCat/Epitaph Records which is owned by Tim Armstrong who is in the band Rancid. I am also affiliated with Suburban Noize records which I put a record out last year and Psychological Records which I have a group called Jewish Gangsterz with Necro and Riviera Regime. I almost forgot, I am in a group with Grizz Rock which we represent Ruff Ryders. The group is called Kaos 13. I think that is it with the labels.

How many CD’S/Albums have you released so far?

I Have been putting records out since 1995. With all the side groups and bands I don’t even know!!!

Who were your biggest musical influences when you started?

Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags, Leeway, Run D.M.C, Schooly D., Beastie Boys, Bad Brains, Black Sabbath, The Fat Boys, Kool G. Rap, Celtic Frost, Megadeth, Hell Hammer, Sheer Terror,Arron Neville, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstandt, Ron Isley, Neil Diamond, Eazy E, Carnivore, Eric B. and Rakim. The Force M.d.’s and The Cure.

Whose music influences you today?

Psycho Realm, Everlast, Hatebreed, Cypress Hills, DMX, Chino XL, Deftones, Rancid… I can keep going for days.

Where did you grow up, where were you raised and where is home for you?

I was born and raised in Jackson Heights, Queens!!! N.Y.C. I am proud to say that I am from Jackson Heights. Don Rickels and Gene Simmons are 2 other Jews you might of heard of who grew up in Jackson Heights. My Cantor who actually prepared me for my BarMitzvah was the Cantor who performed the marriage service for Don Rickels. His name was Cantor Yahniff. I now live in Los Angeles and I miss New York every day.

Is Tupac really alive?

Was he Jewish???

Whose music rubs you the wrong way?

There are only 2 types of music. Good and Bad. Bad music rubs me wrong. Fake music that is put out by big money rubs me the wrong way. No soul!!!

How did you get to where you are now? What were the big breaks and events?

I have always toured. No matter what I do I work hard and put out good music. I flood the underground with my music so kids can have new music. People want to hear new shit all the time. All my fans love the fact that I put out real street music and that I appreciate the fans. If it wasn’t for the fans I would be no where. I push the Dirty Money Syndicate and the artist who belong to the crew.

Has there been anyone who has mentored or really helped you along the way?

Danny Boy and Jamey Jasta have helped me big time. I would also say Necro always looks out and treats me with respect. Estevan Oriel and D110 have helped me too.

When did you first start getting into the performance side of music?

My first show was at C.B.G.B.’s 1990 with my first band Discipline.

Who do you hang out with, anyone noteworthy?

The all mighty D.M.S Crew, Soul Assassins and P.L.R.

What song has had the biggest impact on you personally?

“We Gotta Know” by the Cro-Mags.

What do you write about in your songs?

I write about the struggles and strifes in my life. I also talk about street shit.

What bothers you about the music business?

People are greedy. They are fake ass people who know nothing about music and don’t care about real music , only about checks.

How has being a Jew or in other less popular words, has having Jewish blood
in your veins made a difference in your life?

I am a proud Jew and I represent it in my music through my lyrics. MY whole style and the way I carry myself has to do with being a proud Jew.

Is being a Jew important to you? Please explain.

Like I said before, I am a proud Jew. Being Jewish is important!!!

Is there anything today about Judaism and the Jewish world that really
affects you or really bugs you?

When Jews don’t take Israel’s back!!!

What do you do for beats?

I use beats from my own D.M.S camp. Damian Burnz, LDEE and D.J. Spae are my main dudes. I also use D.J. Stress, Nigel Starr, D.J. Muggs and D.J. Lethal. Those last 2 dudes are LEGENDS.

Do you play any instruments?

I started playing Bass guitar. I can play a little guitar and piano also.

What is your favorite city?

NEW YORK CITY by far!!!

Have you been to Israel?

Yes I have and I love it. My sister and her husband live out there in Rehovet. I was in Israel when Tupac got shot and killed in Vegas. It was 1996 I think…

Do you know what tribe you are from? Levi, Judah?

Levi like my Dad.

Do you pay attention to what is going on with Israel?

Yes, my mom and Brother in Law are always schooling me on Isreal and what is going on in the politcs out there.

What’s coming up for you?

I am releasing my new solo record for Danny Diablo. It is called ” International Hardcore Superstar”. It will be on Epitaph Records. I am also doing a Kaos 13 street c.d. and a ShotBlocker street c.d. this year. I will be touring the U.S.A. and Europe. I want to play Israel so bad. If any promoters see this and want to bring Danny Diablo overt to play Israel please hit me up!!!

What’s your favorite piece of musical equipment?

Bass.

Any tours and if so, with who and where are you touring?

Touring with Rancid with Danny Diablo. Will be playing shows with Necro also all over the world. Doing Europe with Psycho Realm and The Subhoodz.

Which one of your songs do you like the most and why?

I love doing “Livin’ By The Gun” cause it brings smiles to peoples faces when ever I rock it on stage!!!

How do you feel about the state of the world, life and shit?

I want the world to live together in peace. Life is such a struggle nowadays. We need to find a better way to live with one another. Need to treat humans and the Earth better.

Have you been in the media yet, and if so, how so?

Been in the media a few times!!! Good and Bad.

Are you a spiritual or religious person?

Yes I am. G#d save us all, please.

Thanks

Joshua Andrews

www.myspace.com/dannydiablo