We had the chance to light up the shadows of up and coming hip-hop artist, DITCH. He took us from stage to stage, pool party to night club and sky high to the 53rd floor at the Palms Place hotel in Sin City, Las Vegas. His explosive performances infected crowds with richter-roaring screams.  All the while, creating a curiosity for the man behind the mic always making his presence known in the VIP.  We were able to catch a side of the multi-talented artist, that most people don’t get a chance to see, and bring it directly to you as seen by OBSCENE.

Obscene: Where are you originally from?
Ditch: Born and raised in Palos Verdes, Ca. South Bay, definitely not from the hood. You don’t have to be from the ghetto to write meaningful material expressing yourself and your life. I was picked on a lot when I was younger because I was always a leader, some people just really can’t handle that. Growing up in the suburbs, showed me how materialistic and judgmental people with money can be. I am glad to be in a place in life now, where I am starting to see the returns of my sacrifices and efforts.

Obscene: What got you started in the music industry?
Ditch: My whole life I lived for music. I had a rock band back in 2000, when the rap/rock thing was going on, and I was always rapping and they hated it. It was that, which set me on my quest to follow my own dream and not have to rely on others to make it all happen or to hold it together. My love of hip hop dates back to when I was 14. We moved to the East Coast for 2 years and I was introduced to the music of Ice T, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane and others. I remember walking through the snow with my headphones on thinking one day I too will be what people are listening to. Now, I am seeing that dream become a reality. It is amazing how much it means to believe in yourself, despite what other people think.

Obscene: When did you realize that this was the road for you?
Ditch: I realized it when I was very young, but at that time it seemed impossible, so it got swept under the rug. In my late 20’s I started to realize I was heading down the corporate path and I didn’t like it. I am 30 now. I was working in law firms, always using that time to download music and mass produce my music, and online promoting. Of course they didn’t like that too much. The corporate world just wasn’t for me.  I just don’t have that kind of focus to help move someone else’s dream.  Some people are meant for that and some people are meant to be stars. I went to college graduated pre-law at Chapman University, a lot of people don’t know that.

Obscene: What’s keeps you hungry to stay in the game, fighting and pushing through?
Ditch: The quest to live my dream. My dream is to play in arenas, to make music that is excepted worldwide. To push the standards, to push the rules of Hip Hop and music in general. To push the boundaries, the stereotypes of a white rapper and to push myself to be the best I can possibly be. The money is great, but its the stage and audience that motivates me. The feeling from performing onstage is unmatchable and can’t be described, well except for sex, nothing beats sex.

Obscene: How long have you been pursuing the music industry and/or been hustlin' in the rap game?
Ditch: This has been a push since 1999, when I began recording music with a rock band I started, called Tripwire. There’s another Tripwire out there, this was some underground sh*t! It all started then, but my hip hop career began about  late 2002 if we were to give it an official time frame. I’ve been writing rap songs my whole life, rock songs, ballads and all that stuff. Musically, I am probably the most eclectic music fan. I like it all. It’s only been, I'd say the last 2 years, where I have really started to make a strong impact on the scene.

Obscene: Who are your top five inspiring artists?
Ditch: T.I. is always the first artist that comes to mind when I am asked stuff like this. He is just a genius. Another is Nelly, when Nelly hit in 1998, man, that was so different than anything that had been going on in hip hop. Ice T was a major influence on me, even early on. He really told stories that would get you hooked. You could really visualize what Ice T was saying in his songs. 2 Pac is also one of my favorite all time rappers. His style, his voice, his methods and his message will live on for eternity. He was also a great actor. This world is a sad place without 2 Pac, he was a part of the culture, a prophet, the world was a better place with him in it. 50 Cent is also a huge influence as far as the lifestyle, the goal and the mogul aspect, I strive to be a mogul. I have many ideas, businesses and other plans for the future. The man can’t be faulted and he’s in a class all of his own. That’s what I am, in a class all on my own.

Obscene: Who have you been able to perform with or even collaborate with on the tracks?
Ditch: Any artist I work with has to be someone I know. All of the artists I have recorded with came down to the studio to record the tracks. I never do songs over e-mail. I was in studio with Shock G, he came down to Studio B when we were recording Public Intoxication, out now on I Tunes. It was really cool being able to work with a legend like that. Chali 2na and I recorded an awesome track for the album as well. Cashis from Shady Records came down and we did a track, Hot Dollar, Eek-a-Mouse, Bishop Don Magic Juan, Dog boy from Too Rude, Steve O from Jackass, the list goes on. I have been doing this a minute and I don’t think people realize it. But they are about to. I did a new mix tape out free at www.lethaltendermusic.com that features Dirt Nasty (Simon Rex), Willy North Pole from Ludakris’ label, Omar Cruz and Beardo.

Obscene: Where have some of your wildest performances been at?
Ditch: Man…they are all crazy but the most recent one would be playing the Palms Casino Pool in Las Vegas on Memorial Day weekend. They do this thing called Ditch Fridays so we thought it be cool to team up with that, head to Vegas and put on a crazy show. It was off the hook. 3,000 people in the sun. Girls went nuts. Terrell Owens was on the stage watching the performance, Big Boi from Outkast was in the house, and I saw Nelly at the bar. It was an amazing experience. I did some songs from the new mix tape and rocked the house, then we popped bottles of Ketel One Vodka for all my close peeps.

Obscene: Where are some local spots you put on the map?
Ditch: The Rainbow Bar and grill on Sunset. Man we put it in the air there! I love the vibe there, great food and the atmosphere is right. Always hot girls. You never know what other celebrities you might see there too, Sully from Godsmack, Cypress Hill, Bam Margera, Dice Clay and others. It’s just a cool spot to chill at and enjoy Hollywood and they have shown me a lot of love. I just played a show with Mystic Roots at the Roxy and it’s basically attached to the Roxy so we use that as our pre party spot, f*** a green room. Come down anytime and smoke one with your boy Ditch.

Obscene: Tell us about your CD that you put out recently... Public Intoxication....What inspired you to make such a dynamic album?
Ditch: Well I was signed on by Bruce Fecteau to do a full length cd. I don’t think he realized what he got himself into. It became a yearlong process. The goal was to get some quality songs and music to match my swagga, to match my image and to present to people. We achieved just that. An 80 minute album that showcases my diversity in hip hop, there’s actually 3 songs that didn’t make it on the album because it would only hold 80 minutes. Public Intoxication brings together some of yesterdays rap legends and puts them in with some of the hottest names out today. I mean Bishop Don Juan being on the album was cool as hell.  It was great to be able to record such a landmark album at such a great place. Public Intoxication will be big very soon. The single “Lean To The Side” is already out and the album is out now on I Tunes for $9.99, I Tunes users just search: Public Intoxication.

Obscene: Any DVDS?
Ditch: Yes we will release a DVD soon that encompasses my entire career so far. We have had the cameras rolling almost the entire time. We have hundreds of hours of footage that will release soon, for now you call all view a lot of that footage and studio footage of the recording of Public Intoxication at www.youtube.com/ditch420.

Obscene: What are some of those grime sacrifices you’ve had to make or obstacles you’ve had to overcome to get you where you are today?
Ditch: I had to take shows for free, basically pay for myself to get there and all that in the beginning. I knew then that it was an investment in my future. Dennis Rodman told me always look ahead, especially with what I do, always focus 6 months down the line, a year down the line. I had to play shows with no one there, with 10 people there, dive bars, all of that before I was at the point I am now, where I am playing for thousands of people at some shows. I had to put up with shady promoters who are looking to pocket money but not pay the entertainment that brings the people in. That’s a disturbing sick trend in the game today. Promoters not paying bands but yet they rake in thousands at a concert. That doesn’t happen with me anymore. I get paid to do what I do because I am good at it.  I had to overcome a lot of critics a lot of people telling me I can’t follow my dream, and that I won’t make it. But now ha ha ha I am the one that is proving them all wrong. Whose laughing now?

Obscene: How do you see the Ditch of yesterday, the Ditch of today and the Ditch of tomorrow?
Ditch: The DITCH of yesterday was selfish and had an ego. I just thought back then you write a song you make it. I didn’t realize all the hard work required and really all the developing I would do as an artist over the years. The Ditch of today takes time to give back to the world. Amazes me how much money some people have and they don’t give back at all.

Obscene: What have been some of your major breaks or breakthrough’s?
Ditch: I just got my song in a new series that will hit Television soon called Pimp 247. The palms show was huge, I will be doing more concerts there and at other Las Vegas hotspots. Going to award shows red carpets and stuff like that is all fun to me I am a self promotion machine. I love what I do so doing press is fun for me, I could walk a red carpet from California to New York and I wouldn’t mind it. I’d say finally getting the recognition I worked very hard for and deserve in itself is a major breakthrough for me.

Obscene: What kind of projects or upcoming events can we look out for in the future?
Ditch: I’ll be doing the red carpet at the 2009 Bet awards. I got many big shows coming up this summer. June 15th, Im playing with New Boyz “Your a Jerk” at Club Rio, in Fullerton. I will also be playing a show for my friend Mike Walters birthday from Tmz at a pool party in Vegas August 8th so look for that. I am working on a tour and currently doing radio, shows, and press promoting Public Intoxication. I will be returning to Las Vegas to perform at the Palms again and other venues. I’m going to begin recording songs for an E.P. that will come out soon called “Clout”. All original material that has kind of come up since Public Intoxication and February’s Never Gonna Stop Mixtape (www.lethaltendermusic.com).

Obscene: What are you currently working on?
Ditch: I’ve already written 14 songs for my new cd coming out in 2010 called Lethal Tender. People should always and every-dam-day stay tuned to my Myspace page because that’s really the most frequently updated Ditch site www.myspace.com/ditch420 . I am also hoping to do more stuff with Extreme Limitz Photography and Obscene Magazine so make sure you get every issue because its good shit. I’m also working on a few new music videos since its been a while since I put one out and I want a damn Mtv VMA!!!!!

Obscene: Where can we find you at and keep up with your talent and entertaining performances, which I have to say are crowd raging by the way?
Ditch: People can always tune in to the myspace page. I’m on facebook : Ditch Four Twenty, Twitter all of the sites you hear about, if its hot I am on it. I’m also on 50 cent’s website thisIs50.com which if you haven’t seen it you should they got a great site.

Obscene: Ditch, any closing thoughts or words?
Ditch: Yes. I may not be the next young hot thing, but I am going to take the music world by storm. I may not be a Brad Pitt, but I get just as many fine ass girls so hate on that. I am older than these young start up rappers but don’t ever f****** call me sir if you want to keep your spleen! Don’t ask me again if my ice is real, if it wasn’t why the f*** would I wear it? I am a very approachable guy and get along with almost everyone, but don’t come at me asking for a favor or a free show. I don’t do all that. Shouts out to my sponsors RZST clothing and 310/ Zoo York footwear and Musician 1 my boy Rick Rivera for helping me out. Also cant forget Brian Johnson with Extreme Limitz Photography.

Man, talk about struggling and fighting for a better future, striving to make it huge to bring up those who are inspired by his lyrics and giving back to those who are less fortunate to ever experience such a lifestyle of the fame and fortune.  It’s amazing to see someone like Ditch, who has an image portrayed as a white-rapper whose been bombarded with negativity of failing, and yet holds a diamond stealth humbleness to his delivery. This is just the beginning for this hungry mogul and look forward to seeing the Mtv VMA award hanging around his neck soon...so stay tuned for the most exclusive coverages on your entertainment pleasure at it’s finest.

Interviewed by: Brian Johnson