Signature: David Arnold Augustine

He may be the only rapper to deliver a track called “I Hate Money” and mean it. He’s also the only Baton Rouge-area middle school teacher on the verge of making a megawatt career out of redefining hip-hop in more positive terms.

Growing up in New Orleans East, David Augustine idolized Tupac, Nas and hometown heroes from the Cash Money and No Limit record labels. But he looked up to those stars more for their business savvy than their often-harsh gangsta rap rhymes. As rapper Dee-1, in April Augustine released David & Goliath, his second disc filled with life-affirming lyrics and lessons for living right. He even challenges Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Lil Wayne to check the messages they are sending to kids on “Jay, 50 and Weezy,” while his own message is gaining traction. “I want to be a new face for New Orleans,” Augustine says.

Age: 24

Hometown: New Orleans

Occupation: Math teacher, Baker Middle School; rap artist Dee-1

Dee-1 entertained VIPs and hip-hop elite at the Essence Festival’s House of Blues pre-show in July, and he performs often in correctional facilities alongside reformed gang leader and rapper Silky Slim. He also raps in local schools with “Tha Hip Hop Doc,” Rani Whitfield.

Education is important to Augustine. Though he grew up in the ’hood, he spent his elementary years at Audubon Charter School uptown after his father camped out at the school to put his son’s name at the top of the waiting list. Audubon opened his eyes. “While I was in these tough surroundings every day, I got to get out and see there were people of other nationalities and cultures out there,” he says. Augustine graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School on his way to a degree from LSU.

By recording David & Goliath in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, New York City and Houston, Augustine made lots of connections with collaborators. The response has been good, though some fellow rappers dismiss positive lyrics as a lightweight gimmick, or worse, preachy. Augustine says that response fades fast when people meet him or hear the music.

“I still talk about coming up in the ’hood and being exposed to hard things,” Augustine says. “The only thing I’m not doing is glorifying those things. That’s the difference.”

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