Danny Brown Admits Drug Habit, Failed G-Unit Deal

'50 was with it; he just didn't sign me because of my jeans,' Detroit MC tells Mixtape Daily.
By Rob Markman

Danny Brown
Photo: MTV News

Jay-Z once rapped that 30 is the new 20, but Danny Brown is at ease with his age — so much so that the Detroit MC dedicated his latest mixtape, XXX, to the big 3-0.

At this point, Brown is comfortable as an individual, and that in itself is a double-edged sword. It is DB's individuality that has earned him a cult following of fans, which he dubs the Bruisers, and it is that same sense of self that cost the rapper a deal with 50 Cent's G-Unit Records.

"I just turned 30. I been writing raps all my life, but I remember the time when I was, like, 14, 15; I was like, 'Imagine what I'm gonna be like when I'm 20. Yo, imagine what I'm gonna be like when I'm 30,' " Brown told Mixtape Daily. "Now I'm finally 30."

The mixtape, which many have dubbed "Triple X," isn't a nod to pornography, but rather a play on the Roman numeral for 30. It's an important time for the rapper, who recently signed to indie label Fool's Gold. He is finally seeing his rap dreams come true, but with that realization also came drug addiction.

"Most of the stuff that I talk about is stuff that I've done in the past. But where is my life at right now, at 30?" Brown rhetorically asked. "At 30, my life is: I've been trying to get in this industry for over 10 years, and through me trying to get into that industry, I can say I developed a drug habit."

Brown admits to smoking marijuana, but then again, so do most rappers. Adderall, however, is not a hip-hop drug of choice. The stimulant is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, and for Brown, it helps him record and live his rock-star lifestyle. He even raps about the drug on "Adderall Admiral," a track from XXX. "Eatin' on an Adderall, wash it down with alcohol/ Writin' holy mackerel actual or factual," he raps before embarking on his patented free-associative rhyme patterns over a herky-jerky beat.

"I got to the point that I was just taking Adderall to work on music, then it got to the point where I wanted to take Adderall to stay up late and party," Brown said. "So now, from me trying Adderall, I've tried other drugs too."

On XXX, DB remains an open book. He contemplates his fate on "Die Like a Rockstar," shouting the names of deceased celebrities like River Phoenix, Brittany Murphy and Heath Ledger. "Pac Blood" finds Brown rapping over a sample of Bob James' classic "Nautilus," and on "Lie4," he bucks standard rap fare by freely admitting his financial woes.

Danny Brown is certainly one of rap's most unique figures in recent memory, which can also be a disadvantage. In 2010, Brown befriended G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo, and together they recorded their collaborative Hawaiian Snow mixtape. The G-Unit association led many to wonder if Brown would eventually sign with 50's crew. But Brown, who favors fitted jeans and a vintage rock-inspired wardrobe, didn't fit the part of G-Unit soldier.

"It was a real thing. 50 was with it; he just didn't sign me because of my jeans. He liked the music, but he didn't like the way I looked," Danny said. "I understand where they were coming from with that, but you gotta understand where I'm coming from too: I'm from Detroit."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669170/danny-brown-xxx-mixtape.jhtml

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