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Prinz-D: Trying not to use sign language on every shot in a video shoot! The majority of my audience is deaf, and I have to sign for them or they lose interest. So I try to keep it hearing or mainstream and add splotches of signing here and there to show where I came from.I just watched your videos for "You Were My Everything" and "Me Crazie." They're kind of dark.
I envisioned them that way. These are what I was feeling at the time. I'm past that, but I was looking for controversial videos to do, and it was set up right. Plus, I was trying to make a story about them. These feelings were authentic; they just never materialized.
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How can [a woman] not want go out with me? That and I'm struggling to make ends meet with the kind of career I'm pursuing.

I'm making enough to record and live and go to acting classes. Plus I'm saving while applying for Juilliard and Yale School of Drama. Acting is a platform for my rapping. I eventually planned to make my rap gigs a one-man show thing, to tackle both worlds. Once I become a rich and famous actor, I can use the leverage to further my musical goals. You know, like Jamie Foxx or Will Smith.What would you say you rap about the most? I know love is a big one.
Love is one, and how I'm deaf. Some of my songs are like, "So what? I bet I can rap better than you. I bet I can work harder than you." Plus real-life stories related to my life and what I was going through this past year.I bet being a deaf rapper must motivate you to work your ass off.
I've always wanted to be first. I want to be the first deaf guy to win a Tony, first deaf guy to win an Oscar, the first deaf guy to win a Grammy. Even if it takes me 20 years, I'll never give up. I've even been homeless to avoid paying rent. I sacrificed having children and a girlfriend to pursue these dreams. It's a lonely life. But at the end of the day, I overcome it because each day I am spending more than eight hours working on my craft, in spite of these sacrifices.
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No. I've got some friends who are supporting me, letting me crash with them rent-free. People see me getting up at 4 AM, working consistently.Last time we hung out, we stayed up late smoking weed in your kitchen. You told me you liked writing smoke songs. Is that still something you're working on?
I have to be careful with that from a business standpoint. Most of my fans are deaf, and in that community, it's helpful to be a role model. I think I may have turned some deaf kids off, so I've probably missed out on gig opportunities.How does that impact the way you construct your image?
I'm still smoking! But you know, I'm trying to be a more approachable artist and not stereotypical.What would you say the split is between your audience, hearing vs. deaf?
I'd say about 80 to 20, deaf to hearing.Cool. What's up with your new album? Tell me about it.
First Deaf Rapper: Volume 3 is going to be a great album because my enunciation is where I need it to be. I'm talking with more substance now. The beats are better and from what I've been hearing from people that have heard it, it's by far the best I've ever done. I am excited about it—however, I can't release it this fall. I'll wait until around the holidays.What do you want people to know about your career, your passion, your life?
I want people to know that there is no excuse regardless of your disability or your limitations. You choose to become successful and to think like a champion. It all comes down to asking yourself how good you want to be. Once you answer that question, visualize the end result of what you're trying to accomplish. And to all you record label execs, if you're reading this article, please give me a chance and sign me. I'm tired of waiting on the bench while these other guys are getting their chance.Follow Beca Grimm on Twitter.
