Still Brown and Down
An Interview with Lighter Shade of Brown Member DTTX
By Edward Nieto

Lighter Shade of Brown was one of the original West Coast Latino rap duos, hitting the mainstream in the early 90's, and helping make Latino rap popular. After major hits that defined the era like “On a Sunday Afternoon,” and   “Latin Active,” the group helped launch Latinos into the rap world. DTTX, one half of Lighter Shade of Brown, is about to drop a new solo project and sat down with Open-World crew members for this interview.

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OW: How did you and ODM ( the other half of Lighter Shade of Brown) meet, and how long after was Lighter Shade of Brown born?

DTTX: Me and ODM met in the late 80's through a former management company that we were working with at the same time. He and I were working on solo careers. It just so happened that his DJ Fabe Love was my best friend and he hooked me up with the management company.

OW: I realized that the music style of LSOB (Lighter Shade of Brown) changed. What was the reason for this?

DTTX: The reason the music changed was because when we first started, our music was based on sampling from original records. Then times changed and it went from sampling to really producing the music for real. I think that we changed our style a bit because we felt we had to move with the times or be left behind. So we tried a few different things with each new album but always tried to do a few songs that would stay true to our form.

OW: When did you realize your music and Latino rap had made it?

DTTX: I think the most craziest thing for me was when we did the San Jose Sharks arena and we were headlining in front of all these acts that I myself admired so much. I thought by the time we performed, there wasn't going to be no one here to watch us. Then the announcer said our name, and we heard 45,000 people scream. That's when I realized that we had really made it. It was great but at the same time, scary and crazy.

OW: Why did LSOB break up?

DTTX: LSOB has never officially broken up; we just wanted to try different things. My partner ODM wanted to be a dj for the local radio station, and I wanted to pursue a solo career. But if you look, he is on some of my solo albums and I was on his. And, to set the record straight, I don't hate ODM. He is like a brother to me. You don't know someone for almost twenty years, then when you see him, act like you never knew him. We made history together. We did something that, no matter what happens, will always be remembered. And that's for being the first Latino rap group out. Ya feel me?

OW: What motivates you to come out with new projects so quickly?

DTTX: The love of music and the passion I have for it. I put my heart into every project. I try not to leave no stone unturned. Besides, if I keep putting out music, something's bound to crack for me, and this is what I do for a living. It puts food on my table and allows me eat in a real way.

OW: How do you feel about the whole Reggaeton and hyphy scenes that many Latino rap fans are getting into?

DTTX: It's okay. I mean, I don't listen to it much, but the only way we can keep rap alive is to come up with change. It's good to have, and that's cool with me.

OW: Do you have any new projects planned for 2007?

DTTX: I have an album coming out called “Stuck N Da Game,” which I took the title from that phrase Tupac used to always say. And besides, I am stuck in da game, you know, and been doing it for years and don't really see myself doing anything else. I will always have something to do with the business, whether making albums or behind the scenes doing work with other artists. My dream is to have my own label. So don't worry. DTTX ain't going nowhere.   ∆