D.P. on the fast track to the top

Sometimes it can feel as if every artist is just trying to one up all of their competitors by singing about the most badass thing they can think of. While Lady Gaga is trying to push the envelope with her overtly sexual and freakish image, Kanye West is singing about all of his closest friends. Kid Cudi is spittin' about blazing nuggets and Big Boi is rapping about it all. One artist who takes the cake in this department, however, is D.P.

His album "Bar Tab Blues" that was released in October of 2009 includes catchy songs like "Lost In The Music," "Simple Dude," and "I Could Die Today". But what sets D.P. (ne´ Daniel Perez) apart from other artists in his category is the sheer imagery he paints with his lyrics. He sings about everything from wanting to spend a day with a loved one to being poor and just trying to have a good time. In "Pawn Shop Gun" he really ‘goes there' by singing about wanting to murder his girl and her lover if he ever catches her cheating (Luckily, the tone is more sarcastic/figurative in that song.)

D.P. sounds like B.O.B. in the way that he sings a little bit as well as raps. His clever wording and attempt at rhyming about everyday subject matter puts him in the league of Cudi and Eminem. He is also a producer and hails from Gainesville, Florida, according to Lastfm.com. D.P. is by no means new to the scene; he has started two independent record labels and produced for over twenty hip-hop artists.

The best part about all of what D.P. does is that he makes all of the music himself. The piano is well played, the voice is perfect, and the words are hilarious. "Tell this chick to hold my cup I'll be back soon, but I don't make it back I pass out in the bathroom," he proclaims in "Simple Dude". What's even funnier about it is that the music in the background really does sound great behind him. Even Kid Cudi samples from other artists all the time, and at times it can feel as if all Cudi does is rhyme. Just knowing that D.P. made all of the music on his album is really refreshing. It's clear that D.P. is saying everything that he wants to in "Bar Tab Blues," and he sounds like he's having a blast doing it. If you're into hip-hop and are looking for an artist who will blow you away, definitely download this album for your collection.

Not everything is about wanting to murder people with a sawed off shotgun and getting funky at a party, however. "I Could Die Today" is a heartwarming song about spending time with that special someone and loving every minute of it. In "Streetlights," D.P. confesses, "I don't want to go to sleep no, I got so much more to see oh". In "Streetlights" he's talking about having a fun night on the town with friends. This album is perfect to walk to class or do homework too because every time you listen to a song you hear something new every time.

"F--- a glass give me something in a solo cup," D.P. says. Right? "Bar Tab Blues" as well as "fourtyeighthours." are available on last.fm.com.