David "Dee-1" Augustine

David "Dee-1" Augustine began his journey in the music industry with his first studio album, "David & Goliath," in 2009. His career took a significant leap in 2013 when he signed a contract with RCA Inspiration, leading to his first EP, "3s Up," in 2015. The EP made a mark, peaking at No. 9 on Billboard's Top Rap Albums. He garnered attention in 2016 with the track "Sallie Mae Back," celebrating his student loan payoff, which garnered acclaim from CNN, ESPN, Forbes, and Time magazine. Augustine's career took a turn towards independence when he founded his own label, Mission Vision Music, in 2019 and released the album "God and Girls."

In addition to his music career, Augustine has made significant strides in academia and activism. He proved his academic prowess in 2024 when he began teaching a course at Tufts University titled "The Intersection of Hip Hop and Social Change." His work in activism was recognized in 2021 when he was appointed to lead the Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys. His efforts to promote positive messages and challenge harmful lyrical content in hip-hop have made him a vocal activist in the industry, culminating in initiatives like the Platinum Pledge.

Augustine's talents have also been recognized on multiple occasions. He received an NAACP Power of Influence Award and was honored with the Power of Image award in 2020. Furthermore, he was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2021 for hosting "The Manhattan Project." Adding to his accolades, Augustine's album "Finding Balance," released in 2022, debuted at #4 on the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap albums chart. His contribution to the music industry is not limited to his own performances; he has shared the stage with notable artists such as Lil Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, Drake, and Macklemore, and his mixtape "The Focus Tape" features artists like Lecrae, Juvenile, and Mannie Fresh.