DeLon (rapper)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = DeLon


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Img_capt = DeLon in Sri Lanka.
Birth_name = Dilan Jayasinha
Alias =
Died =
Instrument = Vocals, keyboards,
Genre = Hip Hop
Occupation = Singer-Songwriter
Years_active = 1993–present
Label = Ceylon Records
Associated_acts = Ranidu, Bathiya and Santhush, Ashanthi, Iraj
URL = [http://www.ceylonrecords.com.com]

Dilan Jayasingha better known internationally by his stage name DeLon is an American Rapper and Record Producer.

DeLon is the first Sri Lankan artist ever to place on the American Billboard charts, first with his single "Calor de la Salsa" [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=353&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Hot+Singles+Sales&ci=3062772&cdi=8491317&cid=11%2F26%2F2005] in 2005 off of his debut Album "The Connection" and again in 2007 with his single "Nasty Girl" from his Sophomore Album "Unstoppable" [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=353&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Hot+Singles+Sales&ci=3086435&cdi=9395872&cid=09%2F22%2F2007]

In April 5th 2008 DeLon won "Best Rap Performance" at the first ever Derana Music Video Awards in Sri Lankan.

He has also collaborated with newage Sri Lankan Hip Hop artists and producers such as Bathiya and Santhush, Ranidu, Ashanthi and Iraj.He is currently working on his highly anticipated album "The Revolution".

Early Carrier

Born to parents from a small village in Gumpaha, Sri Lanka, DeLon learned at an early age the importance of hard work and humility while at the same time trying to attain a level of greatness never thought of by someone from his island. DeLon made his musical debut at the young age of 12; but it wasn't his lyrics people were listening to. DeLon began his love affair with hip hop music by first learning to DJ for local parties and clubs around his hometown of Los Angeles County, California. A perfect match from the start; DeLon soon made a name for himself and word of his talent spread through to the hottest clubs in Hollywood. DJ'ing gave DeLon the chance to study music and gain a stronger perspective of how people responded to certain beats and melodies.

Destined for something greater, at the age of 18, DeLon began writing and producing his own music and perfecting his skills on the microphone by regularly attending local competitions. Due to his engaging personality, performing and entertaining came as second nature. With the determination to experience a world more than what he was given, DeLon after his graduation from college, decided to expand his horizons. Through lifetime travels to over 33 countries, DeLon collected knowledge, spiritual and worldly, and indulged himself into music from all over the world.

After experiencing the devastation of his country of Sri Lanka, as a first-hand survivor, by the Tsunami [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4125581.stm] of 2004; DeLon is determined to shed light and positivity to worldly atrocities of famine, and racial and cultural injustices by posting informative videos on the subject through his Youtube channels "ceylonrecords" [http://www.youtube.com/ceylonrecords] and "Therevolutiontube" [http://www.youtube.com/therevolutiontube] . DeLon aspires to be the leading voice in bringing unity and consciousness to the forefront through Hip hop music. Utilizing his multi-cultural knowledge and identity, DeLon fuses eclectic cultural beats with Hip hop to create a unique style that cannot be sonically compared with any other rapper in the game. Those tracks combined with the ability to perform in Spanish, English and Sinhala; DeLon produces a crossover appeal that makes him marketable to a wider fan base through genres and markets worldwide. Authentic, unique, diverse and entertaining; DeLon strives to achieve a level of international greatness and influence through his music at the same time keeping his roots grounded.

Debut Album "The Connection" 2005

DeLon made his debut in 2005 with 'The Connection' which featured 'Calor De La Salsa' as the lead single. "Calor De La Salsa" peaked on the Billboard charts at No.15 [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=353&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Hot+Singles+Sales&ci=3062772&cdi=8491317&cid=11%2F26%2F2005 <- Calor De La Salsa on Billboard] and established DeLon as the First Sri Lankan to ever chart on the US Billboard Charts. The Connection united Hip Hop listeners of all cultures as it features eclectic beats of different styles of cultural music mixed with American Hip Hop. With roots in Salsa, Samba, Reggae, Soca, Sri Lankan, Indian and Middle Eastern music, The Connection is an album that unites all cultures through international Hip Hop. As reviewed by YRB Magazine,

"Hitting the rap game from all sides, [DeLon] manages to be 'concious' and 'street' on the same album...a seamless merger of hot production, a catchy hook and the lyrical precision of a young Talib Kweli." - Yellow Rat Bastard (YRB) Magazine, Issue ..61 "The Connection" Review.

DeLon has won international praise for this album and is recognized as the first attempt by an American rap artist to unite international Hip Hop. Not only did DeLon write all lyrics and rap on the album, he is also responsible for producing 70% of the album's beats. The Connection was released through DeLon's record label, Ceylon Records.

= Sophomore Album "Unstoppable" 2008 =

DeLon's album 'Unstoppable" was originally meant for promotional use and only had 10,000 copies made to be sold at shows but due to the success of the Unity Through Education Tour [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=441dzo6Z6II] , which DeLon headlined, the stock sold out! Unstoppable was then made available digitally through iTunes in February 2008. The first single 'Nasty Girl' featured Sri Lankan R&B Singer Ranidu and debuted at #36 on the Billboard charts [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=353&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Hot+Singles+Sales&ci=3086435&cdi=9395872&cid=09%2F22%2F2007 <-Nasty Girl on Billboard Charts] .

Controversy

In July 2008, DeLon released a controversial video accusing Interscope Artist M.I.A., of supporting terrorism. [3] The video was taken down by YouTube allegedly by the request of Universal Music Group (M.I.A.'s parent label). DeLon's music label contacted Youtube due to the violation of the Artist's 1st Amendment right and was put back up 4 weeks later only to be taken down once more two weeks later. The Video can be viewed here: [http://srilankantube.com/video/M-I-A-Paper-Planes-Diss-By-De] M.I.A. has responded in saying:

"I don't support terrorism and never have," she wrote. "As a Sri Lankan that fled war and bombings, my music is the voice of the civilian refugee. Frankly, I am not trying to start dialogue with someone who is really just seeking self-promotion."

The Articles can be viewed here: [http://billboard.prweb.com/releases/2008/08/prweb1179054.htm <-Billboard] [http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/ask_the_answer_bitch/b22295_mia_paper_planes_on_tear_terror.html <- E Online]

Discography

References

External links

* [http://www.ceylonrecords.com Official Ceylon Records website]
* [http://www.delonmusic.com DeLon's official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/delonrap DeLon's MySpace page]
* [http://myspace.com/ceylonrecords Ceylon Records Myspace page]