Biography:
On the 4th day of October 1984, God blessed the world with yet another one of his fine creations! Derrick Riley aka “Deedz” was born in San Francisco ca, and was raised in Venice ca, where he learned everything from street smarts to book smarts. “My mom worked a 9 to 5 & my pops was in the penitentiary, so my siblings and I looked up to the streets and were in them every day. Momma kept us in church though; we definitely knew who God was.” Derrick’s mom re-married in 2001 and moved to Pomona, CA, 45 minutes away from his hometown of Venice. Missing his biological father and adjusting to a new community took a slow toll on him. “I admit I was a knuckle head, I rebelled a lot and made others around me do the same.”
Deedz and his close friends formed a group called the “Infamous Rydahz” which started as a rap click and then quickly evolved into a movement. Deedz soon followed in his father’s footsteps, selling drugs, robbing, and carrying a gun. In 2004 Deedz was arrested at a Pomona High School for accidently shooting a classmate in the chest with a handgun. Facing 5 to 17 years, Deedz thought his life was over, but still held on to his faith. “I prayed hard in jail homie, I knew God would get me out because it truly was an accident, but that’s what happens when you go to school high and drunk with a loaded gun in your pocket.” Deedz served 11 months in a juvenile correctional center and was released. Once back in to society Deedz continued recording, completing over 50 songs in just a 3 month period, which caught the eyes of a couple major labels, however, in 2005 Deedz was arrested again in San Bernadino music studio for possessing a large amount of marijuana. “The crazy part about that was that it wasn’t even my weed, but my big homie had prior convictions and was on parole. Me being young and loyal, I wasn’t about to see him go down for something like that. So I said it was mine.”
After being released Derrick moved to Louisiana where he matured and found himself. Deedz began searching for God, wisdom and knowledge. In Baton Rouge he adopted a new lifestyle and noticed that most of his so called “homeboys” were not homies at all. “I sat back, peeped everything out, and I began seeing the traps that were being laid for me, by both my enemies and those that claimed to love me. I was on the brink of becoming one of the world’s next big materialistic rap stars – until I noticed that the peoples’ blood would be on my hands. That is the reason why God moved me to Louisiana, to get my mind right.” In 2009 Deedz moved back to California with a whole new attitude and perspective on life. He began recording his new album, “Chec-Mate,” which will debut as his first official album. Deedz music is powerful and diverse, spanning all genres from party tracks, love ballads, and political songs to pop songs and classic story telling tracks. Deedz truly has a gift for connecting with listeners from any background.
“The poorest in the hood, to the richest in the hills will be inspired by my views. Human life is too valuable, so before I even begin to write a song I take that into consideration, and ask God to lead my pen.” Unlike many mainstream artists that claim to never write their lyrics down on paper. Deedz says he writes all his lyrics down to capture every bit of his emotions and feelings at that moment. “I feel that writing makes you more aware and accountable for what you’re saying. It is in that moment you have the power to re-evaluate how you are being perceived and what you stand for. Think before you speak, plan before you move, CHEC-MATE.”
Deedz and his close friends formed a group called the “Infamous Rydahz” which started as a rap click and then quickly evolved into a movement. Deedz soon followed in his father’s footsteps, selling drugs, robbing, and carrying a gun. In 2004 Deedz was arrested at a Pomona High School for accidently shooting a classmate in the chest with a handgun. Facing 5 to 17 years, Deedz thought his life was over, but still held on to his faith. “I prayed hard in jail homie, I knew God would get me out because it truly was an accident, but that’s what happens when you go to school high and drunk with a loaded gun in your pocket.” Deedz served 11 months in a juvenile correctional center and was released. Once back in to society Deedz continued recording, completing over 50 songs in just a 3 month period, which caught the eyes of a couple major labels, however, in 2005 Deedz was arrested again in San Bernadino music studio for possessing a large amount of marijuana. “The crazy part about that was that it wasn’t even my weed, but my big homie had prior convictions and was on parole. Me being young and loyal, I wasn’t about to see him go down for something like that. So I said it was mine.”
After being released Derrick moved to Louisiana where he matured and found himself. Deedz began searching for God, wisdom and knowledge. In Baton Rouge he adopted a new lifestyle and noticed that most of his so called “homeboys” were not homies at all. “I sat back, peeped everything out, and I began seeing the traps that were being laid for me, by both my enemies and those that claimed to love me. I was on the brink of becoming one of the world’s next big materialistic rap stars – until I noticed that the peoples’ blood would be on my hands. That is the reason why God moved me to Louisiana, to get my mind right.” In 2009 Deedz moved back to California with a whole new attitude and perspective on life. He began recording his new album, “Chec-Mate,” which will debut as his first official album. Deedz music is powerful and diverse, spanning all genres from party tracks, love ballads, and political songs to pop songs and classic story telling tracks. Deedz truly has a gift for connecting with listeners from any background.
“The poorest in the hood, to the richest in the hills will be inspired by my views. Human life is too valuable, so before I even begin to write a song I take that into consideration, and ask God to lead my pen.” Unlike many mainstream artists that claim to never write their lyrics down on paper. Deedz says he writes all his lyrics down to capture every bit of his emotions and feelings at that moment. “I feel that writing makes you more aware and accountable for what you’re saying. It is in that moment you have the power to re-evaluate how you are being perceived and what you stand for. Think before you speak, plan before you move, CHEC-MATE.”
