d-mars.com Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs of Texas
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Willie James Dennis aka “Willie D”
2021 SUPER P&E
illie James Dennis aka “Willie D” is proud of his Houston, Texas, roots. Willie D is an American rapper who gained fame as a member of the pioneering rap group from Houston, Geto Boys. Despite his reputation for being a hardcore artist who pens often provocative lyrics, Willie D is known for his diligent work in the community, and many of his songs contain positive messages. He is often called on to speak at universities, high schools, and youth facilities. A gifted athlete, Willie D took up boxing at the age of 11. He was so good at boxing that in 1985, he became the Golden Gloves Champion for the State of Texas. With a Golden Glove championship under his 17-year-old belt, it looked like Willie D was well on his way to becoming a professional boxer, but fortunately for his fans, fate intervened. Like any teenager growing up in the early 80s, Willie D was captivated by the music of his generation. An avid fan of rap music, he listened intently to the music and set his sights on becoming an emcee. It wasn't long before Willie D’s reputation reached J Prince, founder of Rap-A-Lot Records. At the time Prince was looking to revamp the now legendary Geto Boys and knew that Willie D would be a key factor in the group’s success. Once Willie D was on board, Bushwick and Scarface were added to complete the group. Considered the classic line up, Willie D, Bushwick Bill, and Scarface first emerged as the Geto Boys in 1989 with their Gold record, "Grip It! On That Other Level." Willie went on to record a string of critical and commercially successful solo and group albums including the Geto Boys’ "We Can't Be Stopped" (platinum), which featured the smash single "Mind Playing Tricks on Me," co-written by Willie D.
Willie D is the founder and CEO of Reck Media, which curates podcast platforms, including his own popular Willie D Live Podcast on YouTube, which boasts 600,000 subscribers. Willie D is also the co-owner of Sanitize USA, Firm Construction Services, and an avid cryptocurrency, stock, and real estate investor.
In 2012, Willie D began writing a weekly political satire column for Vice Magazine. After his contract expired, he began working on an advice column for the Houston Press, which ranked at the top of the weekly newspaper’s columns until he Willie D is the proud father of Caen resigned after four years. Dennis, a New York-based lawyer and
Blake Dennis, who attends business school in London, whom he shares with Bridget Bonier, a mechanical engineer. Willie James Dennis aka “Willie D” American Rapper Entrepreneur
TOP 50 BLACK P&E 2021
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