NJ Next: Dupre “DoItAll” Kelly (Lords of the Underground)

The early 90’s were an incredible time for New Jersey Hip-Hop. Queen Latifah, Redman and Naughty by Nature all attained mainstream success while groups like: The Fugees, Artifacts, Chino XL, Miilkbone, and The Outsidaz were bubbling just below the radar before blowing up in the next few years.

Amid this wave of Jersey artists, Lords of the Underground burst onto the scene with a co-sign from one of the greatest producers of all-time (the legendary Marley Marl), a distinct style and several classic singles including the anthem “Chief Rocka.”  Over the last 25 years all three members have stayed active in the music industry, but Dupre “DoItAll” Kelly has taken his love of New Jersey, and particularly his home city of Newark, to a new level with constant involvement in community initiatives and a run for Councilman at Large in 2018 with the campaign slogan “When People Love Their City They Can Change It.”

NJ Next’s Angelo Gingerelli got a chance to talk to Dupre “DoItAll” Kelly, the legendary MC and community activist, about LOTUG, making a difference in his city and a really strange LL Cool J song…

How did you become a Hip-Hop fan?  

I became a Hip-Hop fan when my uncle brought home a 12inch single of “Rappers Delight.”

When did you decide to make the transition from fan to artist?

Instantly. I was immediately mesmerized by the culture.

How did Lords of the Underground happen and when does Marley Marl get involved? 

LOTUG was formed by DJ Lord Jazz at Shaw University in Raleigh NC by the request of his good friend Derek Jackson who was graduating and going to work for his cousin Marley Marl.

“Chief Rocka” has a definite old school/throwback vibe, even though it came out in ’93 it’s looking back to the 80’s with the samples, lyrics and video.  Why do you think Hip-Hop artists and fans have such a tendency to look so fondly on the past?  Also, what’s your favorite era? 

Hip-Hop is an art form that creates something new by using something old (i.e. sampling).

LOTUG hit the scene during one of the strongest periods in East Coast Hip-Hop and artists like Wu-Tang, Das EFX, Redman, Onyx, Erick Sermon, Boot Camp Clik and Nas all continue to release new music and tour more than twenty-five years after their debut projects.  What was it like coming out during such an amazing time and why do you think so many artists from your “Freshmen Class” have had such staying power? 

It was an amazing time and being fairly new, the culture allowed the world to come into so many different neighborhoods that they would not have necessarily had access to. As those fans got older they still keep the memories of the artists who supplied the soundtracks to their lives which allows the artist to maintain through the different eras and generations.

Over the years you’ve taken on a ton of projects to help your home city of Newark, what are some of your favorite causes, organizations or events? 

The youth are the future and constantly need guidance, so anything that has to do with empowering our young people as well as trying to foster change when it comes to reparations for the descendants of slaves. In 1980 or 1982 the Chinese were paid 1.2billion dollars in reparations by the USA for their part in the enslavement in concentration camps in 1940, so when will blacks be paid for us helping build this place?

You recently ran for public office.  How did you decide that was the next logical step and what was that experience like?

Living back in my community of Newark NJ after traveling the world and acquiring hands-on knowledge from around the world I wanted to bring that energy back home to help the citizens become literate and fight for the things needed to live a great life. Plus it’s something 2pac and I always talked about doing.

What’s next for DoItAll and LOTUG?

I’m working on a solo project called “Brenda’s Son” as well as still traveling the world performing with my brothers LOTUG.

Quick Response Questions

Because you’re a rapper, I have to ask…Top FIVE MC’s Dead or Alive?

Run of RUN DMC, Rakim, Treach, Redman, & Lauryn Hill.

You’ve repped Jersey proudly for your entire career, who are FOUR New Jersey artists we should expect to make noise soon?

050 Boyz, Li SCOTT, Dox Diggla, Khalil Gibran.

DJ Lord Jazz has a solid verse on “Lord Jazz Hit Me One Time” on LOTUG’s debut album.  To steal a phrase from Diamond D, who are your Top THREE “Producers on the Mic”?

Pete Rock, Diamond D, & Q-Tip.

What TWO LOTUG songs get the biggest response when you perform live?

It varies but you can never go wrong with “Funky Child” & “Chief Rocka.”

And, finally…LOTUG appeared on LL Cool J’s 1993 album “14 Shots To the Dome.” Is “Pink Cookies in a Plastic Bag Getting Crushed by Buildings” the most bizarre song title of all time and do you know what it means 25 years later? 

In a simple, PG way to say it…it means having great sex with a beautiful woman with a condom on…LOL!

For more on Dupre “DoItAll” Kelly and Lords of the Underground, click here.