July 29, 2004 @ 3:54 pm

ViBE Magazine: NEXT >Dirt Bag - Ashy To Classy

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Live from Bedford-Stuyvesant, the dirty one, representin’ MIA to the fullest, it’s Dirt Bag, the Don of Dade County! Pulling up in a stretch limo to the Lab nightclub in Brooklyn, Dirt Bag garners the royal treatment as security shuttles him and his crew into a celebration for the departed King of New York, the Notorious B.I.G. Inside, the faithful spread love to Dirt Bag the Brooklyn way—mainly because they think he’s Dirt McGirt, aka Ol’ Dirty Bastard. “I’m tired of everybody saying I look like him,” he says jo

Now, thanks to his fire-starting, Timbaland-produced lead single, "Here We Go," Dirt Bag (aka Jermany James, 25) can avoid any future cases of mistaken identity. That's step one in his quest to change the rap game while placing himself among hip hop's elite. "Dirt Bag ain't no pretty boy worried about haircuts and shaving," says Trick Daddy. "He's a Miami nigga for life. And it's time for him to get his." Hometown pride aside, Dirt Bag definitely doesn't want people to stereotype him based on where he's from. "People expect the crunk shit just because I'm from the South," he says. "But I'd rather give you the shit that's going on in these streets and in the White House before I make you shake your ass." It's that very mind-set that drove Miami producers Cool and Dre to sign the talented street disciple to their Epidemic Music/Violator Records last year. On his debut, Eyes Above Water, Dirt Bag's melodic flow and southern drawl-reminiscent of Juvenile in his prime-are as captivating as his lyrics are clever. Over the infectious harmonicas of "Confessions," Dirt Bag takes an introspective look at his hustling past. And on the blues-tinged "Colored Boy," the young father of five (three girls, two boys) challenges all rappers to be better role models. "Life is hard," he says. "But if a dirtbag like me can be successful, what makes you think you can't?"

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