Billy Dha Kidd has had a goal to have his music recognized world wide since he started writing and freestyling when he was 16, in 2004. Born in El Salvador to a single mother, Billy and his family soon moved to Santa Ana, then Oakland, where the environment proved hostile and more like a nightmare than the American Dream Billy's family was chasing. "All my life we have moved and never settled down" said Billy.  That was until they moved to Nebraska. Now, even though Nebraska is known for "The Good Life", it was not the case for Billy.  From California to Nebraska, he was still put in situations that a teen his age does not typically go through.
        Falling into the wrong crowd seemed inevitable. Soon Billy found himself making ends meet in any way possible, legally. . .or illegally. The harsh reality of poverty transposed to tumultuous anger and heartache as he saw his friends join gangs, some get incarcerated and some even die. Fighting was Billy's first outlet to release the rage and pain created from street life, but he soon found therapy in music. Billy says, "Instead of picking up a gun and shooting the person who made me mad I took my anger out on beats. Instead of robbing a store . . . music kept me busy and gave me an outlet to make money and see a better future. Music REALLY saved my life."
        Realizing the struggle of poverty and the streets in El Salvador to California, and now Nebraska, Billy's aunt was whom recommended that he and his mother move to Nebraska and it became home for them.  This is where he came and currently resides.  Billy does not, however, like to be "pigeonholed" into a specific music genre, saying, "I don't like when people call me a 'rapper.' I like 'artist' because I make music about life. . . 'feel good life music.'" He also states that while the process of creating his music as an artist is therapeutic, the industry can be a challenge in general. "I've been messed over before and people are always trying to get one over on you," he said. At the same time, Billy finds the industry's rewards saying, "The best is when people tell me a certain song of mine got them through a tough time in their lives."
        Billy knows all too well how some may have struggles and need a contructive outlet to release their angst, especially since Billy himself didn't necessarily have a role model. He said, "This is tough. I feel like I grew up alone with no one to go to but my mom. Her and my grandfather for the very few years I had him in my life". Hopefully others can follow in Billy's steps and turn (his) music to either feel better about their situations, or just because they like listening to it.
        Billy's new project is called, "From Struggles to Success," and features a music video with Kevin Gates titled "To the Top". Billy has also worked with Latin Grammy's award winning group AKWID, MC Magic, Chalie Boy, SPM, Glasses Malone and with Baby Bash on the video, "Out of Space Love." And while Billy is already an accomplished artist in his own right, he also turns to musicians like Jay Z, Tech N9ne and Dr. Dre for inspiration, especially the business aspect. Because when it comes down to the bottom line, you've got to "Grind Hard, or Starve." For more on Billy Dha Kidd's music, subscribe to his music channel on YouTube.