Billy Drease Williams

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
(Redirected from Edreys)
Jump to: navigation, search

Lua error in Module:Infobox at line 235: malformed pattern (missing ']').

Billy Drease Williams (born Edreys Wajed) is an American hip hop emcee, singer and producer from Buffalo, New York; known for his uptempo production, clean lyrics, and motivational messages. Billy Drease Williams started as part of a short lived hip hop group called The Elements (formed with Soulive members Alan Evans and Neal Evans) and later was one half of a duo known as Raw Intel (with producer Trevor "TrevThorne" Drayton). Acclaimed Music critic Jeff Miers has described him as “the most promising, adventurous, nigh-on-visionary hip hop artist Buffalo has yet produced.”[1]

Raw Intel found success early, placing five songs on the ESPN NFL 2K5 Video Game,[2] and producing a little-known but highly acclaimed self-titled album in 2002/2003. Billy Drease also collaborated with Soulive again for their Turn It Out Remixed Album and released a project on Velour Records with drummer Alan Evans, entitled M.E.K.A. 54.[3]

After the Raw Intel album failed to provide Billy with a viable major label deal, he focused his efforts on production and visual art: placing several tracks on films and television, including Lionsgate Films' "The Farce of the Penguins" and Lifetime Television's "Officer Down"; as well as opening an independent art gallery in Buffalo called Gallery 51.[4] Additionally, he produced several tracks for Atlanta-based rapper, Stat Quo.[5][6]

Soon thereafter, Billy Drease decided to embrace the industry's movement from mainstream to indie [7] and signed a deal with Buffalo-based independent label Deep Thinka Records, which then proceeded to re-brand themselves as DTR45. Creatively invigorated by the deal, Billy's first single "I Like It" – a raw chopped up rendition of a Betty Wright tune – secured features in Billboard Magazine[8] and on Myspace; and the accompanying music video was featured by YouTube and BET.[9]

Originally performing as solo artist under his birth name, Edreys decided to take on the moniker Billy Drease Williams right around the same time I Like It dropped. This change in stage name was both in homage to the actor Billy Dee Williams and as a way for his the pronunciation of birth name to still be present within his stage name.[10] Billy Drease Williams has released three albums with Deep Thinka Records / DTR45, including Good Morning Amy – an inspirational hip hop album which garnered Grammy buzz[11] – and made several high profile features and appearances, including Warped Tour, NXNE,[12] and CMJ Music Marathon [13] performances. His hit single, Just Doin' It has proven to be his biggest commercial success to date, and the groundbreaking music video has received over half a million views to date.[14]

The Art of Hip-Hop

Billy Drease is the Executive Director of The Art of Hip Hop, a not for profit organization dedicated to "Educating the Future and Celebrating a Culture", achieved through the following guidelines:

  • To educate the public on the importance of the preservation, appreciation and positive influences of the culture of Hip-Hop and all forms of music.
  • To produce programming designed to improve scholastic abilities in math, reading and the sciences through after school tutoring, mentor-ship and educational excursions to help fight juvenile delinquency.
  • To utilize the business behind the music industry to teach youth about entrepreneurship and business functions.
  • To utilize the visual arts in helping youth express emotion and life issues, and help eliminate prejudice, discrimination and violence.

The Art of Hip Hop has been celebrated as an event/festival in Buffalo the past years, and is currently on its fifth installment.[15]

Career highlights

  • 2012: Cover Feature of Buffalo Spree Magazine, as a Buffalo Game Changer.[1]
  • 2010: Featured Performer at YouTube Musician's Wanted Showcase at CMJ New Music Marathon[13]
  • 2010: Awarded 'Artvoice' Best in Buffalo Hip Hop Artist for 2010[16]
  • 2010: Cast as the lead for "Death of a King", a hip-hop rendition of Hamlet.[17]
  • 2009: Selected Showcase Performer for NXNE Festival in Toronto[12]
  • 2009: Awarded ‘Artvoice’ Best in Buffalo Hip Hop Artist for 2009[18]
  • 2009: Featured Performer for Hard Rock Cafe’s ‘March on Stage’ Event
  • 2009: Named one of URB Magazine‘s Next 1000 Artists
  • 2008: First Hip Hop Artist selected for WBFO Live Concert Series[19]
  • 2008: Performer on 2008 Warped Tour Skull Candy Stage
  • 2008: 'Now Hear This' feature in Billboard Magazine[8]
  • 2008: Featured Artist of the Week on Myspace Music
  • 2008: "I Like It" / "DUI" peaks at #4 on College/Internet Radio Charts[20]
  • 2007: Lions Gate Movie: "Farce of the Penguins", Produced track for artist Flame
  • 2007: First Place Winner – HOK Production Slam Poetry Contest
  • 2006: HBO 'Unscripted' Reality Show, Produced track for artist Flame
  • 2006: Lifetime Television Movie: "Officer Down", Co-Produced and wrote song for outtake: "Gang Wars"
  • 2005: 4 tracks placed on ESPN debut video game ESPN Football 2K5 (800k sold) as a part of group Raw Intel
  • 2004: Starred in Documentary by Ivan Rodriguez. "The Art of Hip Hop: A Short"
  • 2002: 12" single with B side deal with Velour Records-NY/Red Ink Distribution
  • 2002: Reebok Nationwide Radio Promotion for RBK product branding
  • 2001: Buffalo Music Awards winner for "Best Hip Hop Producer"
  • 1999: Buffalo Music Awards winner for "Best Hip Hop Artist"

Discography

Studio albums

Album information
Raw Intel
  • Released: 2002
  • Label:
MEKA 54
  • Released: 2003
  • Label: Velour
  • 12" with fellow Buffalo native Alan Evans of Soulive. Limited release.
Classics
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: DTR45
I Like It/D.U.I.
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: DTR45
  • 7" single
Rebel Radio 45
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: DTR45
  • Mixtape produced by DTR45
Good Evening Billy
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: DTR45
Good Morning AMY
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: DTR45
Forbidden Tracks
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: DTR45

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.

Use <references />, or <references group="..." />

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Billy_Drease_Williams&oldid=719039782"