Congratulations Deezle on the Grammy Awards

Here’s to my friend Darius Deezle Harrison for taking home two Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 8, 2009. He was nominated for three and won two, as a songwriter and producer for:

Best Rap Song - “Lollipop“ by Lil Wayne (featuring Static Major)

Best Rap Album - ”Tha Carter III“ by Lil Wayne (Cash Money / Universal Motown)

See the list of nominations and winners here: Grammy Awards Winners List - Rap

Darius was quoted in an article in The Louisiana Weekly as saying, “I’ve worked so hard to get to this point in my career. This is the key that will open many doors to what I see is the start to what God has planned for me,” Deezle said recently. “Working on this album was a great experience and I’m honored to be nominated for my work on Tha Carter III.”

Having known Darius for a little over seven years now, I can vouch for how hard he’s worked. I spent much time with him while he was recording in his living room. Darius has the dedication that few people do. He is a highly talented producer, songwriter, and musician, playing several instruments and a large variety of styles. He won the Grammys for a rap album, but he’s also produced rock as well as jazz, including songs for Donald Harrison.

“Deezle” also scored my short film, Sur l'Amour des Rêves (On the Love of Dreams), in 2004. Truthfully, his score made my film. I was happy with the film, but it was sort of thrown together because half the footage didn’t even come out. It thus became a sort of French New Wave styled film musing, and Darius’s score set the exact tone. I edited the film at his house, and while watching the film, he just started playing the guitar while watching it. I quickly turned around and asked if he could score it. It was perfect, and to this day, even though I tire of watching the film, I’ll sometimes watch it just to listen to the score.

So, I congratulate Darius “Deezle” Harrison on a well deserved award. Two of them, in fact. I know he has worked hard these past several years, and before that as well, to get where he is. I appreciate his dedication, and I know that God indeed has great plans for him.