WHO IS LOUIS HARRIS?
Innovator Fearless Ambitious Focused Diligent ...
WELCOME
TO THE
creative director / graphic designer: Olivia Sharp
CONTENTS Introducing: ODubby From Fight to Flight Dedication
Milwaukee Rapper/ Lead Male Model O'Dubby (Louis Harris) latest album, "Portraits Of A Kingpin", was released in August. It's hard to overstate rapper O'Dubby's importance to the local music scene. His signature baritone and low-key demeanor made O'DUBBY a bona fide local star during the late '90s and early 2000s. His face adorned local Magazines at busy mom and pop stores, and hit songs "Kingpin Music" and "Do It Major" were in heavy rotation on online radio. Now in his mid-30s, the rapper who's best known for street-oriented lyrics filled with references to drugs and hustling - his last album was in 2011 called the Professional - is hoping fans of his music will appreciate the newer, more mature version of O'DUBBY.
"I did this album to see if I could step out of the box," O'DUBBY says of his latest album, "Portraits Of A Kingpin," released in August. "I was aiming to do something my fans never heard. I wanted to know if my fans really wanted to hear me rap or just talk about the streets and drugs." The 12song CD features texas Rapper Colby Bright, a collaboration with T.B.D member Agoni on O'DUBBY's favorite club song, "Chocolate Baby," and national recording Producers Amilliyon and K.C on "White On White." While O'DUBBY may be taming down much of the violent rhetoric and drug talk, he hasn't lost any of his signature swagger or ability to spit game. "It's his best work ever," says his manager, Levar Harris. "The whole meaning of 'Portraits Of A Kingpin' says it all: Get busy living and have some fun." With a sizable buzz brewing and a Strong Modeling Career and T.V show acting in the works, O'DUBBY seems content with his new direction. "There was a lot of negativity around me, and I wanted to get away from that," So i went to the Military and changed my life for the better and now it shows in my music and in my dedication and drive. "Rapping about drugs and stuff ain't healthy for you. It's all got a consequence to it. My plan is, every day just stay positive and progress." Says O'DUBBY
In the beginning: I started (rapping) at the age of 9 or 10. People seemed to be interested in my skill. Describe your style: Poetry and soul from and about my environment and my kind. Saying you live by: "I was raised to be king so everyday I push to fulfill the dream." First gig: I can't really recall, but my first stage show was a talent show at school in 5th grade. Best gig: When I performed in NY at a Fashion show with (at the Manhattan Hotel), they really Liked the Music Biggest accomplishment: Being able to be recognized as a pioneer of rap by my peers where I live. They can be hard to please. Most memorable Milwaukee music moment: Working with Baby Drew and my cousin with Young Twan on the Titan album my first major feature. Why do you do this?: I do this for my Family and friends who believe in my talents and for My followers that depend on me, so I have no choice.
Layout and edit by: Olivia Sharp
It's all about being the
working to be the
Louis Harris speaks on his transition from combat to his skyrocketing career on the runway There are many sides to the model we know as Louis Harris. He sat down with us to discuss life, recovery, and family.
Q: I find that a lot of people think military service resembles what they've seen in Hollywood movies. How do you overcome that perception in an interview? A: As I transitioned to work as a civilian, I encountered people who can only imagine that I'm a trained sniper, or that I was doing all the explosions; like something they've seen on television or in a movie. This is not a real scenario. People have a limited understanding of what I have experienced, and this may be their only frame of reference to this point.
Q: How hard was it to graduate from college with 2 Bachelor Degrees: A: College was very difficult at one point just from the beginning getting started and going through the classes and then in 2013 when I got hurt and wasn't able to use my right hand it was even more of a toll but I would say for the experience of going to college I would do it all over again with no questions asked especially to be able to have two degrees in 3 years with no days off hard work pays off.
Q: You mentioned an accident that you had January 2013. How hard was it for you to recover from that? A: it took me approximately 18 months of Rehabilitation to be able to get back to using my dominant hand as normal as far as writing dribbling the basketball but it also gave me an opportunity to learn more about myself and what capabilities I was able to do as far as coming up with music and instead of having to write everything down learning how to memorize lyrics and being able to record without using paper
Q:Now that you are modeling what has been one of the things you've learn about the business
A: I learned that being a model is hard work you have to be dedicated to a healthy diet you have to always practice your walk you have to always try to be unique and not fit into somebody else's actual style and that live way too close are it's to promote the clothing some shows you can promote yourself while wearing the clothing but a lot of the times it's about the clothing that the actual designer wants you to promote I would say that this business is very different but fun exciting and it keeps the blood pumping so for anyone that will want to get into it learn the ins and outs
left: graduation day
right: Louis Harris modeling for a fashion show
"My mom raised me to never have any fears, never hold back, never be unsure of [any] situation. My mom raised me and my two other brothers as a single parent working two jobs and still being able to make all of our events; basketball games, honor roll ceremonies, and graduations. Those are the things that make a man proud to say that she's your mom. She raised [me] right, she gave me that extra push to be better and to never settle for anything. She would say that the sky's the limit but if you can see past the sky, then you can see the Galaxy. Seeing my mom graduate with [a Bachelor's Degree and two Associate's degrees] is as much motivation as any man needs you know she never quits. For me, she's not only my pride and joy, she's my everything. She loves the kids, you know she's a great grandmother. Even her sister, my auntie. They're both amazing women and you know I'm inspired to be like them and even better because they raised me right. They gave me what I needed to be man."
- Louis Harris