urbansteez.com

With hunger, rawness and artistic diversity, Dinero is raising the bar for all up-and-coming artists while swiftly challenging established veterans. He hails straight from the city of Chicago which has given hip-hop some of the greatest and most talented lyricists of our time - and Dinero is no exception.. Through the debut of his album, The Lifestyle of a Hustler (Military Minded Ent.), Dinero confidently rocks over the 24-track compilation filled with mid-west swagger, east coast lyricism, and telltales of a skillful and talented man who combines his experience in the military and the streets to paint a picture of reality and struggle over potent - and even commercially-ready beats. Not only a showcase for the media, the labels and A&Rs, the album is also set out to illustrate to hip-hop fans, how capable and how necessary Dinero is to the game.

As a way to vent, he first began to rap while serving in Afghanistan. A defining point in this young man's life, Dinero's choice to join the military at 17 years of age was an escape he was looking for from the destructive surroundings of Chicago's most notorious projects, the Stateway Gardens. The similarity between the military and the streets of Chicago was one of many life's lessons Dinero learned early on, and felt the urge to pass on. "The military taught me that no matter where you go and who you are, everything's a hustle. The corruption and overall lack of integrity in the military opens your eyes to a world that most don't want to believe; that most disguise as normal."

And although he grew up around dealers, boosters, hustlers and gangsters, Dinero kept up his grades and was able to steer away from the negativity of the streets all the while keeping his ears and eyes open. Without anything resembling a hand-out - or even a male role model - Dinero decided from an early age to pave his own way and take charge of his life. Forming the label Military Minded Entertainment, he set out to apply the lessons of the streets and the military, to rap. "It reflects a state of mind; you have to have loyalty, you have to have honor, you have to be able to stand tall, be on your Ps and Qs and just overall ready for anything. It reflects every hood, every hustler, every real soldier; everybody that can get up in the morning when all odds are against them and survive."

Dinero's strut is a reflection of where he is from and it's something that Chicagoans will pick up on almost immediately. "When you envision Chicago projects, streets, alleys, ball courts, etc., you see that most cats look like me. I am the image, the face of most hood cats." Dinero utilizes that image, and transfers it onto his music, creating addictive joints that reflect his swagger, his mindset and everyday lifestyle. "I make music for people like myself. Something I can throw in my ride and bump, something I can listen to when I'm grinding, working out, in the barbershop, etc." Perhaps most important of it all, he caters to the diversity; a balance in hip-hop which has been lost between the gauge of the mainstream and 'conscious'. "There's a lot of cats that rap for female audiences, club atmospheres, conscious rap, real rap, stunners, up-lifters, etc. There's metaphoric lyricists, straight to the point lyricists 'ya hook got you there' lyricists, one hit wonders, longevity rappers, etc. I think I fit in great with all of them - I can give you a catchy hook with hot lyrics, great swagger, crazy beat and a universal feel. And I do that while delivering soulful, straight from the heart words that people can relate to." The Lifestyle of a Hustler, is genuine proof to Dinero's ambitious claims.

Dinero aka GreenLight

Location: Chicago, IL

Contact:  www.myspace.com/dinerothegeneral or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Urbansteez.com Interview with Dinero

Urbansteez.com: Tell us your name, and what area do you represent?

Dinero: Dinero aka the Greenlight cause I rep the GO! Chicago Southside

Urbansteez.com: How long have you been pursuing a career in the music industry?

Dinero: Ive been doing music since late 05'

Urbansteez.com: What were you into before music?

Dinero: I did the military life! Army (4yrs) and played ball professionally (for a team I refuse to help promote cause they snakes) and hustled

Urbansteez.com: I see, much respect! As an artist how would you describe your style and why?

Dinero: my style is more swagger talk than anything. its about the bounce, the confidence, a little arrogance! I mean I feel like when I rap, I don't need anybody's vote of approval. if you don't like what I'm spitting how Im spitting it or the beat etc.... its probably because you cant relate! I'm doing me... my swag talk for me!

Urbansteez.com: If you had your pick which label to be signed to, which label would it be and why?

Dinero: Right now, Id sign to aftermath. I know people are talking about dre and how he isn't releasing cats like Joell Ortiz (who is hip hop's savior for this generation) but overall he got shady, 50 and himself! so adding me would be a crazy look! but overall fuck the labels cause its about owning your own and making the right moves! so Military Minded Entertainment til I die! ya digg!?!?

Urbansteez.com: I dig!! Who in your future would you want to collaborate with and why?

Dinero: Joell Ortiz cause buddy the truth, cant front on him, but since its about getting paper at the end of the day then id have to say a cat like chris brown cause he brings the masses out and everything he touches is a banger! Id also like to work with alot of the vets! but Imma be real thats more for the love and respect and right now Im focused on the dough! just keeping it real, my daughter cant eat respect and dreams! and I damn sure cant go back to hustling and risk jail and being away from her!

Urbansteez.com: What are you working on now, and when can we expect to hear more of you?

Dinero: Im done with my album "the lifestyle of a hustler", I have 2mixtapes out now (lets talk it over vol. 1 & the greenlight vol. 1) Im currently releasing "Deal Or No Deal" which is a compilation of the entire Double M roster! its crazy!

Urbansteez.com: That's wassup, "the lifestyle of a hustler"! Who are your influences?

Dinero: Man! I listen to everybody thats really hot. Scarface, JayZ, Nas, Pac etc....  cant get with the lame shit though.

Urbansteez.com: What do you think of the hip hop / music world right now?

Dinero: I think its shit! I respect alot of these cats hustles but I cant believe the garbage they putting out and the people are allowing to be put out! but hey it is what it is... even in the dope game you got cats selling that huff. lol

Urbansteez.com: Where do you see yourself a year from now?

Dinero: on top of the world! sitting comfortably in the throne like Im suppose to be. being known for making major business decisions verses just rapping.

Urbansteez.com: What will you do with your first royalty check?

Dinero: Got to take care of my daughter's future first and foremost, then make sure moms is good.

Urbansteez.com: Yessir, cant go wrong with that! So, when you make it big, what car will you first purchase?

Dinero: S550 thats me...  not too flashy but demands respect and luxurious

Urbansteez.com: What's in your sound system right now?

Dinero: beats... I only bang out to beats lately. its what get me in the zone. I ride and listen to the beats and thats how i get a feel for what should be said in the songs.

Urbansteez.com: which female in the game would you pursue first and why?

Dinero: Run's oldest daughter! she decent, seems untampered with as of now and shit pops is a made man!

Urbansteez.com: I feel you, I can't call it but when I see her I think , Wifey!!  How can fans contact you in the future (myspace, email, PO box, etc.)??

Dinero: www.myspace.com/dinerothegeneral or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Urbansteez.com: ANY SHOT OUTS???

Dinero: yessir, my Double M family Dyamond Havana, Jp, Young Zay, Gutta The Prospect, QuadOduece, the blessin, flame, fojay, all the M2 Models, Brooke, John Blu, Big Macc, Beat Doctors, C&G management the whole team!!! if I missed you my bad! know dat.

Check out Dinero's cuts, "Angelz fuk Devilz" and "Swagger so high" at www.myspace.com/dinerothegeneral.. FIYAH!!

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