As graduates from years past flood into Athens to enjoy a raucous and leisurely time, a 2006 alumnus is coming back as a rising star in the West Coast rap scene.
While most graduates are just starting jobs or are still struggling to find one, Darrel Jesty Beatz Greene has earned his place in California. With every concert he plays, the legend of Jesty Beatz grows.
The hype just gets bigger
Beatz said. You know if it's authentic people will come.
After performing for such rappers as Afroman and David Banner before he graduated, Beatz has been performing with noticeable names such as Too Short, Kelis, Christina Milan and Mac 10.
A lot of West Coast artists are embracing me Beatz said.
Beatz said playing shows to new people and making new fans every night is great but is much different from playing in Athens. Here, he played shows where he knew the majority of the crowd. He said he won't forget where he came from and is looking forward to seeing his hometown fans.
One of the main reasons Beatz is coming back to Athens is because of the 325 signatures on an online petition started by a friend. Beatz said he didn't hear about the petition until about 200 people had signed it and recognized so many of the names that he felt he owed it to Athens to come back.
In addition to his burgeoning rap career, Beatz' BlockRunnaz label is getting more exposure and investors.
It's sweet to have a dream
he said, but it's also sweet to have other people believe in your dream
too.
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Chris Yonker
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Rising rapper Jesty Beatz has opened for rappers Too Short, Kelis and Afroman. Today he performs at the Blue Gator at 10 p.m.
