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Alec Reinstein (born May 7, 1982), better known by his stage name Despot, is an American hip-hop artist from Queens, New York City. He was signed to rapper El-P's label Definitive Jux in 2004.〔Peter Madsen (September 15, 2009). ("Interview With Despot From Def Jux" ). Street Carnage. Retrieved September 24, 2012〕 Despite not having released a full-length solo album, Despot has been a part of the New York underground rap scene for over a decade. Despot is associated with the Smart Crew collective and a co-owner of Santos Party House. ==Biography== Despot grew up in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens.〔Luke Cage (October 23, 2007). ("The King of Queens" ). Cool'eh Magazine. Retrieved September 23, 2012.〕 He became involved in hip-hop at an early age, claiming that its prevalence amongst kids in his neighborhood made him appreciate rap. Around the age of twelve, Despot began to hang out with a Queens gang called the Lo-Lifes,〔Scott Wood (November 2007). ("Introducing Despot, Napoleon of the Rap Game" ). Earshot Online. Retrieved September 25, 2012.〕 most notable for wearing Polo Ralph Lauren clothing. Despot identifies himself as hopelessly addicted to sneakers and Polo clothing.〔Urban Smarts Staff (December 9, 2004). ("Despot" ). urbansmarts.com. Retrieved September 25, 2012.〕 During an interview in 2007, Despot said the following of his time with the Lo-Lifes: I feel a strong connection to New York City street culture. Whether it be the violent side of it—the gangs, the selling drugs, whatever—I’ve been involved in all that. I don’t talk about it in my music at all. I'm not into the braggadocio part of that. I've been to jail. I've killed someone and I got shot. But I feel the Lo-Lifes is something that solidifies my connection with New York street culture. It's something I am really passionate about and it’s something I want to continue the legacy of.〔Scott Wood (November 2007). ("Introducing Despot, Napoleon of the Rap Game" ). Earshot Online. Retrieved September 25, 2012.〕 Despot's Queens upbringing also showed him lots of upcoming New York rappers. He claims to have been more of a delinquent as a teenager because he constantly listened to Mobb Deep's ''The Infamous''.〔Dusted Staff (January 7, 2005). "(Listed: Despot + Plastic Crimewave )". Dusted Magazine. Retrieved September 25, 2012.〕 Upon buying ''6 Feet Deep'', supergroup Gravediggaz' first album, Despot wore baggy pants and carried a Panasonic boom box around with him.〔Luke Cage (October 23, 2007). ("The King of Queens" ). Cool'eh Magazine. Retrieved September 23, 2012.〕 He was given the nickname "Puff" because of his marijuana use.〔Urban Smarts Staff (December 9, 2004). ("Despot" ). urbansmarts.com. Retrieved September 25, 2012.〕 During his years in junior high school, Despot and his friends rapped over an instrumental tape of "Worldwide" by Royal Flush. Despot's friends told him he was the most talented of the group, and he began to write rhymes.〔Luke Cage (October 23, 2007). ("The King of Queens" ). Cool'eh Magazine. Retrieved September 23, 2012.〕 He attended high school in Manhattan, where he and friend Yak Ballz (who was also signed to Definitive Jux) would frequent Footwork, the East Village record store owned by radio personality Bobbito García.〔Max Kramer (July 7, 2012). ("Meet Your Maker: Despot" ). Young and Fictitious. 2:24. Retrieved September 21, 2012.〕 It was through Garcia that Despot would eventually meet El-P. After graduating high school Despot attended SUNY Purchase, but later dropped out "after realizing it was boring."〔Danny De Maio (April 17, 2012). ("Despot- New York" ). Bangstyle. Retrieved September 25, 2012.〕 Despot still went back to the school to organize its Culture Shock festival in 2004 and 2005, and he performed at the event in 2007. In 2001, Despot recorded the song "Cynical Bastards" with Lo-Deck on Atoms Family member Cryptic One's album ''Euphony''.〔(Euphony: Various Artists ). Bandcamp.com. Retrieved September 23, 2012.〕 The track garnered attention from El-P, who asked Despot to record for Definitive Jux.〔Danny De Maio (April 17, 2012). ("Despot- New York" ). Bangstyle. Retrieved September 25, 2012.〕 Despot released "Homesickness" as a single on Definitive Jux Presents Vol. III in 2004. Following "Homesickness", Despot had his plans in making his album stalled, primarily because of his not spending time working on the album. He also believed a neurotic perfectionism prevented him from releasing songs more quickly. Despite never releasing the album, he released a number of songs during his time at Definitive Jux, including "Crap Artists" and "Look Alive", which was produced by Ratatat.〔(Despot: Myspace ). myspace.com. Retrieved September 21, 2012〕 Despot toured with Ratatat in 2007, and his forthcoming album will feature their production.〔Hardwood Blacktop Staff (September 6, 2012). ("Hardwood Blacktop Presents... Despot-Little Guy, High Horse" ). Hardwood Blacktop. Retrieved September 22, 2012.〕 Despot was introduced to Ratatat through a friend, and he considers both members of the group close friends. Despot claimed to have finished his first full-length album, a collaborative effort with Ratatat featuring songs from Blockhead, as early as June of 2008. The album was intitially named ''Jerry'' (after his father) and then ''Hooray for Me'' before finally arriving at ''We're All Excited''.〔 On July 22, 2015, Despot released a music video for "House Made of Bricks," his first single off of ''We're All Excited''. The video, directed by Ratatat's E *vax, was the rapper's first ever. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Despot (rapper)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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