Although his connection with ‘The Ultimate Hustler’ added to his many accomplishments, Center stage wanted incite as to where Dashawn’s relationship with Damon Dash stood.

CENTER STAGE: Are you still in contact with   Damon Dash? How did you go about signing up for the show and did you always think that you would win?  
Dashawn:  I haven’t spoken to or seen Dame since the finale of the show. I’ve watched every episode over and over again to figure out what had gone wrong with the competition. I went to the competition to work hard and learn from it. I believed I would win once I sized up the competition. I will always appreciate the opportunity that I was given to compete. It was fun and I wouldn’t change a thing if I had to do it all over again.”

CENTERSTAGE: Dashawn like many always you had a desire to be successful in entertainment. I know this may sound cliché but when did you fall in love with Hip-Hop?  
Dashawn:  Well I grew up with three brothers. We always listened to the music countdown on this Philly station (Power 98.9 WUSL FM). I remember ‘The Show’ by Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick was the number one song for like three months straight. That song made me very interested in Hip-hop. It wasn’t until a few years later when I heard ‘The Bridge is Over’ by KRS-ONE and Boogie Down Productions, when I knew that I needed to do this Hip-Hop thing. That song was crazy, that’s when I fell in love with Hip-Hop.”

CENTERSTAGE: What do you consider real Hip-Hop? 
Dashawn: Real-Hip-hop to me is music that is being created from the heart for the love of the music and the culture. I believe that most of today’s music lacks that element because of the business of music. Most artists and record labels alike put most of the focus on the commercial value of music. So the love of the culture continues to play a miniature role in the development of music. Real-Hip-hop is bringing music from the heart.  Also, for those who are engulfed in the culture as I am, knows Real-Hip-hop when they hear it.”

CENTERSTAGE: What do you think about beef in Hip-Hop? Does it come across as a ploy for artist to sell record? Are there any legitimate beefs?
Dashawn: Hip-Hop was born from the spirit of competition and lyrical combat. In fact, Hip-Hop was invented to give inner-city kids another avenue to express themselves besides violence. So the beef in Hip-Hop is just the nature of it. The problem with it is the violence that is spawned as a result of the heightened beefs.  There are some rappers that use the beef to sale records and/or gain attention. But that is no different from KRS blasting Queens or Tupac’s diss records to Biggie. It’s all to attract an audience. But if we could find a way to eliminate the violence from the equation, the diss records would be good for Hip-hop. Because whether its Hit ‘Em Up, Takeover, The Show Stopper, 2 Round Knockout, Ether, Piggy Bank or No Vaseline…the beef in Hip-Hop seems to bring out the best in all MC’s.”

CENTERSTAGE: Speaking of Beefs, what’s your beef with the culture, with the way hip hop is from its beginning?  
Dashawn: I used to be mad at young cats for not studying the history of Hip-Hop. But right now, I can honestly say that I’m over that. Because when we were younger we didn’t care about Jazz or Blues or any of the other building blocks of Hip-Hop. So I can understand the young generation. My only issue with Hip-Hop is that it’s not enough diversity. That’s really it. When all of the beats and hooks and songs began to sound alike for the purpose of radio and videos, that’s when it becomes no fun for the fan.”