Home Going (Majesty) Video
The creation of this song and video for my brother, Daniel “Majesty” Sanchez. has been an emotional rollercoaster. I miss him..A LOT!!! He was ALWAYS a champion for my growth but always reminded me of how ill of an MC I am (even at times when I was barely rapping). When Hasan Salaam and I first talked about the song, I wasn’t ready. I loved the beat by Craig Rip (that Nina Simone sample resonated with what we wanted to say about him and life in genera)l. Majesty always loved when I would sing and harmonize like classic soul groups. So, I had to add that flavor while creating the chorus. I knew what I wanted to say in the verse, hence, when it was time, I finished my verse quickly. However, emotionally I couldn’t bring myself to do it. When Majesty voice was added to the song, I couldn’t listen through it for a while, almost until it was released.
The video was fun to shoot. I kept thinking about how hyped he’d be if he was there. Hasan flew into town and we were able to shoot in Brooklyn and at Union Sq with Legendary Cyphers. it was so amazing reconnecting with people that night. I shot some solo scenes with the director, Aymen, on my roof. When I saw the visual clip of Majesty was added, it hit me HARD. As I watched the final version, I cried “happy tears”. I knew he’d be proud of what we’ve done. Seeing the outpouring of love for Majesty, has been a blessing and it shows just how impactful he was towards so many. Yeah, I miss my brother, but happy to have this opportunity to celebrate his life!!
Music Director for Masta Ace’s “The Falling Season”
This late spring season has been full of surprises!! Not on my agenda (but happy it did) was becoming Music Director for Masta Ace’s play “The Falling Season”. Yes, Masta Ace! Now, I remember watching Video Music Box as a kid and seeing his videos like “The Symphony”, “Music Man” and the “Me & the Biz”. Then as a teenager, my cousin bought the “SlaughtaHouse” album!! That’s when I realized how crafty he was with wordplay. Also, we can’t forget his Crooklyn Dodgers verse and INC freestyles with The Cella Dwellas and Paula Perry. Ok, I’m a Hip Hop nerd…whatever (lol). However, as an independent artist, he put out an incredible album, “Disposable Arts”. Maaaaaaan listen…this cemented what I already knew about him. Masta Ace was in a league of his own. He followed up with another insanely dope album called “A Long Hot Summer” (go find all of this music if this sounds like gibberish, lol). Anyhow, I got to meet Ace as he worked alongside my bro, Marco Polo on collaborative songs like “Nostalgia” and their album “A Breuklen Story” ( I spit an adlib line for Lil Fame of M.O.P on their collab). Suffice it to say, his trust in me to do this was and is a BIG deal.
After a discussion between him and Marco, he was convinced that I was the man for the job. He called me and all I kept thinking was “I’ve never done this and don’t want to ruin this production”. From my time traveling with PMJ and even my band, a music director makes sure that musicians have charts, and music is in proper key and tempo, among other things. As the GM told me, I had one of the hardest jobs. There were no charts this go round and it was teaching pre-recorded, sometimes “out of the ordinary” harmonies to professional actors, some who were not considered natural singers. With less than two weeks to prepare, this cast and crew worked HARD to create something special!! Todd, the director was amazing in not only staging but allowing the actors to bring meaning and purpose to each scene. Bill, our producer was time efficient. Making sure things were running close to schedule and as smoothly as possible. I was nervous in the beginning but after day one, I realized this was a challenge I needed. These guys not only rose to the occasion, but they also exceeded the expectations (in my humble opinion). There were scene read-throughs and staging/choreography, in addition to learning these songs. It was an honor to work with each and every one of them!! I even got to meet some of the writers and beat makers, who created the songs like E Smitty and NasteeLuvsYou.
The first night’s reading went well and though I couldn’t be there (Yacht Rocking) the second night, I was told went REALLY WELL!! I’m excited to see what the future holds for this production. If this initial reading was any indicator, then it can only be bold and bright!! Ace has written an incredible “coming of age” story that a young man from Brooklyn, like myself can relate to. I truly believe it can change the scope of how Hip Hop is represented in theatre. I can’t wait until the world gets to see the power of this play!!
SIDE NOTE…The woman with the afro below, Is Tina Fabrique, the singer of the “Reading Raiiiinbowwwww” theme song (WHAAAAAT). As a kid, that theme song was everything; letting us inner-city kids know we could be and achieve more than we could ever imagine, Well, this kid has gone on to do some great things. All of the work over the past two-plus decades has led to moments like this. This is and will continue to be an amazing journey.
Singing by the Shore with AM Gold
I will be hitting the stage with AM Gold this summer. Check out our schedule below.
Full Hard Rock Live Performance
Here Is the full video of my performance at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando!!! Enjoy!
Drue Davis at Hard Rock Live in Orlando
So two weeks ago, I was nominated by my job director for a contest called, “Compass Night of Stars”. It was designed to seek out staff members with “hidden talents”. This showcase would be part of an award ceremony and dinner. Now, my talents are hardly hidden but to some they are. Well, out of hundreds of submissions they picked three and I was one of them. I won a round trip ticket to Orlando to perform at Hard Rock Live, stay at the Hard Rock hotel, some VERY nice meals and a pass for Universal Studios (which I went to for the first time)!! After submitting a few things, I decided on performing my version of Don’t Dream It’s Over (yes, the one on Magic Man & the Beat Machine, available now…lol). It was amazing and honestly the reaction from the crowd while and after performing was greater than I expected at an awards dinner. It’s funny that after more than two decades, my daily grinds would intertwine. The other winners, Chris Cook and Angie Peccini killed it as well. The coordinators. Jaime, Tekeisha and the rest of the team were AMAZING and pretty much spoiled me. The show staff was GREAT (shout to Mike Stixx) making sure I had everything I needed to be ready and comfortable for the performance. I met so many people in such a small time. It was a blast!!!
Music now on Bandcamp
Magic Man & the Beat Machine, as well as a few other classic Drue gems are now available on Bandcamp! You can even order limited edition CD’s (only a few left). Personally, I love both their artist and social justice initiatives. If you don’t have the album or use streaming services, this is for you!!
Homecoming (Majesty)
Finally, this incredible song has been released. My friend, Hasan Salaam and I have been working on a tribute to our brother, Daniel “Majesty” Sanchez, for quite some time. We’ve talked about it but for the both of us, it was hard to put into words just how much we missed him. However, doing this song really helped me process my feelings. In addition, we wanted the proceeds for the song to go towards a cause near and dear to his heart. Majesty was not only a talented, passionate artist but also a tireless leader in the fight for social justice. Below is a detailed press release. I hope you enjoy the song and donate!!
Majesty became a member of the Justice Committee (JC) in 2013 and served as a staff member from 2014 to 2016.
The Justice Committee (JC) is a grassroots organization dedicated to building a movement to end police violence and systemic racism in NYC two causes that were near and dear to Majesty's heart.
As requested by Majesty’s Mother all funds raised through the release of “Home Going(Majesty)” will be used to support JC programs that were important to Majesty. Please visit the following link to donate directly to The Justice Committee in Majesty’s name: https://bit.ly/Majesty_Forever
“Home Going (Majesty)” by Hasan Salaam & Drue Davis (produced by Craig Rip, Mixed by Juro Mez Davis, art direction by MeccaGodZilla, art by Nickram).
@Majesty360NYC
@JusticeCommittee
@HasanSalaam
@DrueDavisMusic
@CraigRip
@JuroMez
@MeccaGodZilla
@Nickram_Art
Allocation of the funds raised for this Majesty Tribute song will go towards the following at the Justice Committee:
1 CopWatch Program: CopWatch is the practice of monitoring and documenting police activity to deter abuse. Over the last 15 years, the Justice Committee has trained and activated thousands of New Yorkers to conduct neighborhood CopWatch patrols and CopWatch at actions, on the subways, and in their daily lives. Majesty was a fearless CopWatcher and powerful CopWatch trainer, who always uplifted the importance of CopWatch as an act of love, solidarity and resistance.
2 Families Organizing Program: A core element of JC's work is organizing and uplifting the leadership of families whose loved ones were killed by the NYPD to fight for justice and accountability and lead systemic change campaigns. Majesty was a steadfast supporter of the families. From conducting security for them at protests, to MCing their press conferences, to being a listening ear and a shoulder to lean or cry on, Majesty always brought his full heart into his work with the families.
3 Leadership Development and Skill-Building: Majesty always understood the importance of investing in new members and up-and-coming leaders. Funds will enable JC to run initiatives that support members to increase their organizing skills and build their confidence to be able to take on leadership roles in the organization and movement.
About the Justice Committee: Since the 1980s, the Justice Committee has been dedicated to building a movement against police violence and systemic racism in New York City. The heart of JC's work is organizing and uplifting the leadership of families who have lost loved ones to the police and survivors of police violence. JC empowers its community to deter police violence, hold law enforcement accountable, and build people-led community safety through grassroots organizing campaigns, community empowerment, political education, our CopWatch program, and by developing safety mechanisms and projects that decrease reliance on police. By building solidarity with other anti-racist, immigrant and people of color-led organizations, the Justice Committee seeks to contribute to a broad-based movement for racial, social, and economic justice.
links:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/home-going-majesty-single/1622424788
https://open.spotify.com/track/3F3aELUo9xX9tiJWn5QKsf?si=vPXd8RoCQxSsnsaXWDH51w&utm_source=copy-link
New Division X
I had the pleasure of working on a song by one of my favorite Hip Hop groups, Division X, on a song called Mountain Tops, featuring myself and Chilo. I sang, spit a verse and mixed it. Definitely an uplifting, feel good, summer time joint. Enjoy and support!!
Sit Wit It feat. Drue Davis
“Sit Wit It“ is now available on all streaming platforms. It was an honor to work with my good friends SoSoon and the producer, Mic El. Last year, the movie version with me, was featured in “The Eric Garner Story” on the Reels network. In July of 2014, Eric Garner, as many of you remember, was murdered by police usage of an illegal choke hold. Pinned to the ground by the officers, Garner repeatedly told them, "I can't breathe." Eventually, he lost consciousness. He was pronounced dead at a hospital roughly an hour later, and the medical examiner ruled his death a homicide by suffocation. His death touched the lives of many across the world, including myself. This song explores the layers of emotions both black men and women feel as we continuously deal with the effects of systematic racism. Give it a listen and download.
Out with the old, in with the new
So, it’s been a while…lol. There’s been a LOT of bumps and stumbles but, I’m finally in a place to finish the journey I started a few years ago. I’ve been hard at work on some incredible music and I can’t wait to share it with you!!
Summer Sailing with AM Gold
It’s summer time and I will be cruising and crooning with AM Gold, singing classic 70’s and 80’s tunes. Check the upcoming show dates with AM Gold on the show page.
