#SevenQuestions: Dallas Penn

If you're not up on the movement that is @Dallas_Penn in 2012, you might seriously need to consider dragging a razor across a major vein and ending it all. If you're using the term Internets, you probably heard someone who heard someone who fucks with DP.com say it. He's a true pioneer in the Interconnected Hip-Hop Networks, and someone whom I consider an inspiration. I asked him some questions, and he obliged. Simple.

khal: When did you first get interested in writing?

Dallas Penn: My mother uncovered a story I wrote in 1st grade about a trip we took to the museum of natural history. I thought everything in that building was real and just somehow it was frozen in ice. I was confused about the world as a young kid but I was still interested in documenting the things I experienced.

As an adult my writing epiphany came to me while I was in architecture school (City College). My studio professor told me that I would be a whole lot better at 'talkitecture' because I liked telling stories. I never finished college however but that's just another story.

khal: Do you feel like your voice in your writing is different than your speaking voice?

Dallas Penn: I certainly feel like my writing voice is my prime speaking voice. I do attempt to write in other voices tho', but my primary speaking voice is also my primary writing voice. That's just the natural extension for me to speak with people.

khal: What would you say was/is your inspiration for not only starting to write/blog, but to vlog and other outlets you touch with your words?

Dallas Penn: I could call the old Daily News beat reporter Jimmy Breslin one of my earliest influences because he was a total man of the people all about town. Breslin wrote like he was familiar with all the precincts of the city and the denizens of those areas. He was not above anyone either as he related perfectly to the underclass and the voiceless, the drunkards and the drug abusers. I feel like that is where my writing style comes from.

khal: Would you say you have a favorite drop or piece that you’ve written? If so, which one(s)?

Dallas Penn: PrA'li my favorite drop is my story about my younger brother. After my father's passing our relationship became fractured and it still hasn't been healed up. That drop was one of my heartfelt pieces because the photos I inserted really reminded me of how my parents raised us and a time when life was so much better. [khalnote: follow-up to that drop]

khal: Who are some of the figures that you look up to as your peers, be it writing peers, vlogging peers, Internets radio peers, etc.?

Dallas Penn: I always remember that Byron Crawford, eskay, Fresh from Crunktastical, Tony's Kansas City and Combat Jack were my earliest supporters. I would literally call Fresh on the phone and tell her that this blogging shit was for the birds because I wouldn't get any comments on my page. She reassured me to keep posting drops and keep putting my voice and my story onto the page. I'm glad for her success most of all.

khal: Do you have any ultimate goals for what you’re doing? Anything you could achieve where you would permanently stop what you’re doing?

Dallas Penn: Endgame for me is to create feature films. I have one story called The Return Of The Brown Hornet which is basically like The Wiz but for our generation starring our icons and artists. Feature films is where I want to end all my aspirations. Well maybe a youth center in Crown Heights too. The Gavin Cato Center for Reading, Righting and 'Rithmetics. Real talk.

khal: What do you want to be remembered for?

Dallas Penn: I'd just like to be remembered for being someone who made people smile. Seriously and simply.

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