Maryland’s hottest rapper, Relentlezz Dre, is a hardcore hip hopper and a hardcore fan of Mortal Kombat: Deception. A battle MC who decimates mixtapes, slicing and dicing rappers at will, Dre recently released his debut album, The Rel One, to critical acclaim. Influenced by everyone from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to TechN9ne, Dre’s style mixes gangsta thuggery with intricate wordplay and catchy chorus hooks to come up with a sound all his own, one that is quickly becoming the talk of Maryland.
Nominated for "Best Solo Hip-Hop Artist 2003" at the Urban Independent Music Awards, Relentlezz Dre’s regional song “MD, DC, VA” remains the in the Top 10 hip hop songs on Music Chart MPulse. Not bad for a kid who started rhyming in 1998 and didn’t record his debut track until 2001.
Dre took time to chat with us about his favorite game, Mortal Kombat: Deception, hip hop, video games, movies, and all things important to us joystick ridin’, rap music bumpin’, Hennessey drinkin’ Gs.
How did you get into Mortal Kombat: Deception?
I saw the commercial for it. I love fighting video games so I asked for it as a birthday gift.
Were you into the earlier Mortal Kombat games?
Naw, not really. I played them every now and then. This one seems to be more violent, and has more stage fatalities.
Are you into cheats?
Well, I’m not into cheats. I like to defeat the game on my own. Right now, I’m still workin’ on super combos by each player.
Who is your favorite character to play as?
Kenshi.
What age did you start playing video games?
Man, I wuz like…. Ummmmm…. I can’t remember. That's how long it’s been.
What were your favorite games back in the day?
Super Techmo Bowl for Nintendo. That’s got to be everybody's favorite game.
What are some other newer games you dig?
Well, the only other new game I have for PS2 is Street Fighter 3 Special Edition.
So what the rap scene like in Maryland?
I’m from the south side of Maryland, and the rap scene is a big struggle out here ‘cause nobody really put Maryland on the map. So everybody is tryin to out do each other instead of helpin’ each other.
Who are your rap influences?
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.
What rock bands do you like?
Ummmm….. Well, to keep it real, I like rock, but I don’t know the bands names.
What was the last movie you saw?
Resident Evil 2.
Favorite DVD?
Blade 2.
Favorite food?
Anything fried.
Favorite book?
Paradise Lost.
Favorite drink?
Hennessy and coke.
Favorite movie?
X-men, 13 Ghosts, Half Baked.
Favorite sport?
Basketball.
Most embarrassing moment?
My first show. I knocked over the mic stand, which made a loud crashing sound over the PA.
Ouch!
Pick up Relentlezz Dre’s new album, The Rel One, at www.relentlezz.com.
