Artist Spotlight: D-Man
Massachusetts isn’t exactly well known for its overwhelming presence in hip-hop. In fact, after Eminem ethered Benzino, the only person that most people can think of when it comes to Boston’s hip-hop scene, the rap community all but turned its back on the Bay State. But Danny “D-Man” Goncalves could be the guy to change all that.
Born in the Dorchester area of Boston but raised in Brockton, D-Man has lived through situations that would break most people. “My pops was murdered when I was 14, throughout my childhood I was poor and livin’ in the ghetto on almost every government program. My mom dukes had cancer, we got kicked out of our home, all my boys were gettin’ killed or locked up. “It was a crazy environment, but instead of succumbing to it, I picked up my pen & pad and started writing about it.”
If anything positive came out of his terribly unfortunate life circumstances, it was his impressive lyrical skill. “I started rappin’ when I was like 10. I was always that lil’ shorty rappin’ for his boys, or rappin’ for the older people, hell…I was battlin’ people twice my age and givin’ them the business!” says D-Man, with a laugh. With his talent flourishing, he began to feel restricted by using only the instrumentals he could get his hands on. He wanted things to sound exactly how he imagined them in his head, so he did the only thing he could do to make that happen—make his own.
“I started producing when I was 13, and man I was terrible. So bad, but I never stopped practicing and each day I got a little better to the point where I am today.” Today, he is both an established MC and producer, producing respectable tracks for many local artists. But his first love is being on the mic.
Now that we’ve done the big talking for the emcee, we’d be happy to back it up with a sample from his debut mixtape, Back to the Future, Return to the Past. Check out “In The Zone” below, which he produced as well. Don’t say we didn’t tell you about D-Man before he blows up. So spread the good word.
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DOWNLOAD: D-Man – Back to the Future, Return to the Past [Mixtape]
Good stuff D I’m definitely feeling the song…keep doing what your doing.Your setting a good example for them other kids that are going through hard times.Myself and the rest of the boys are going to keep supporting you.keep going hard and don’t forget bout the peps you grew up with.And I’m definitely going to spread your name to my friends.
Good Shit D-man! almost brought a tear to my eye to read a lil bit of your story and how you keep striving against all odds. Even the lil sample song here had me like wait I didn’t catch everything he just said “rewind” lol-so proud of you!
Nice stuff Danny!! I can’t believe all the stuff happened to you man! I think we lost touch back at age 13. I remember the days when we were 10 and you were putting out those raps lol. Keep up the good work man
I’ve listened to the mixtape a few times, and every time i do, i hear something i didn’t hear before, a new texture, a new rhythm or pick up on a new bit of cleverness. The vibe is there, the thought is there and the delivery is most certainly there.
Word up! D Man is putting in the work and making a name for himself. Brockton on the map. And with the best representative!! Good luck with all you do! U a champ!!
yoo this guys nice. the beats nice. his flows nice. true meaning of a go getter. real talk. keep doing watchu doing and you’ll go far
Good stuff D-MAn!! success stories like that I like to hear about and If you don’t know it as yet stories like that help to encourage us youths in places where you lived like Brockton and Boston keep up the good work!
Wow…way different then what i expected when derek posted this on my wall…good stuff…Finally some inspirational stuff for us youth to look up 2
Now you Already know son… We been doing this for a minute now, it was only a matter of time. Everyone knows the tracks are fire. And reflections remains the dopest.
Mixtapes Tuff Keep doin ya numbers bro
big up to my Bro D ! Knew you for life homey all the rappin and hard work is startin to pay off! Don’t stop now turn it up on them! Hold it down for the Brock! You alreadyyyy know
THIS YOUNG MAN IS A PROBLEM…NEW ENGLAND HIP HOP AT IT’S FINEST!!!
Keep it up! Sounds great, Because everyone’s ” Pronunciation ” isn’t great BUT YOUR IS:) Got my vote sweet heart!
Like a brother to me….One of the most lyrical rappers I’ve ever heard bless the mic….. inspires me to go hard everytime i’m in studio with him….Best up and coming producer i call him the musical genius…4th and 10 all day….We moving Fam!!!!!!
My big cuz, kinda like my big brotha. I rememba the days when he was jus a lil one fillin up books wit rhymes lol. Its been years since then, nd u put in LOTS of hard work…nd its finally payin off. Keep it up D.
Thanks to everybody on here showing me all this love, especially those from my hometown. I had no idea how much the city embraced me and now that I have a firm grasp of how much you guys really do, I’m making it a vow NOT to let you guys down!! And even bigger thanks to the homie Modi Mo taking the time to write this piece on me! Well appriciated!!
I don’t know the the hell wrote the intro to this but Boston AND Massachusetts actually has a long list of legendary & highly respected emcees, DJ’s & producers & this area occupies an important space in Hip Hop history (including the recently deceased legend Guru of Gang Starr). D- Man is one of the MANY bright shining stars currently in Boston/MA Hip Hop right now. I know this is about Danny but Boston got a Hip Hop station 2nd after NY so don’t act like our presence in Hip Hop is equal to North Dakota’s, get your facts straight first.
Dart Adams
Bastard Swordsman/Bloggerhouse
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by DManthetruth: http://bit.ly/9xQ2OC – Just in case yo’ ass forgot….
good shit..keep it up
Keep it up fam good shit!
This brotha goes hard!! Good shit D!! Your what the game needs…more lyrical rappers!! You bout to put Mass on the map hard body!! keep it up
I have to say each time I hear some new shit from D-MAN I become more drawn to the fact that his flow cannot be replicated. He is simply a “BEAST” on the mic as well as on the boards. Can someone put this fire out?? I highly doubt that’s possible now after hearing “BACK TO THE FUTURE: RETURN TO THE PAST”. Check it out if y’all got any sense!
After downloadin his mixtape, I can say with confidence that this dude might be one of the greatest rappers I ever heard in my life. He is THAT nice.
I’ve said that least 3755411 times. The problem this like that is they are just too compilcated for the average bird, if you know what I mean