Ghettosocks
(Darren Pyper) is a Hip Hop Producer and MC born in Ottawa living in Halifax,
Nova Scotia. From 2002 to 2006, he attended and completed his media arts degree
at NSCAD University. While there, he established himself as a prominent member
of the local Hip Hop scene. Founder of PRD "Public Rap Distribution"
and Co-Founder of the hip hop collective ‘Alpha Flight’, Ghettosocks demonstrated
his love for the art of Rap and performance by participating in numerous
benefit concerts and youth groups including CKDU 88.1 FM Fundraisers, Books
Behind Bars, HRM Schools, Girls' Empowerment Mentoring, Halifax Public
Libraries, Winter Homeless Shelter, various all-ages shows, and rap battles.
In
2004, the torch was passed to Ghettosocks, to head the weekly Wednesday night
residency at the Khyber Club called, "Droppin’ Science*" for nearly 3
years. *The night was previously known as “On the Strength” with Skratch
Bastid, and known as “Beer With Gordski” with DJ Gordski before that. In a
short period of time, he has built a fan base from Halifax stretching across
Canada. Performing in Halifax since 2003 at nearly every venue the city has to
offer including: The Marquee, The Attic, The Palace, The Khyber, etc. His
unorthodox songwriting style, energetic live performances, and captivating
free-styling abilities have earned him a spot among the elite of Halifax Hip
Hop talent. Constantly touring various regions of Canada, Socks has opened for
a who`s who of established artists including: Nas, Afrika Bambaataa,
Special Ed, The Gza, The Beatnuts, and Kool
Herc to be brief. In addition, Socks has been on two American and two
European tours, with plans for a third American/cross-Canada tour in the spring
(highlights in New York, Austin (SXSW), and Los Angeles), plus an introductory
Japanese tour this summer.
After producing two demos
Ghettosocks released his debut LP, Get Some Friends in November of 2006. In
2007, he released his follow-up mixtape “I Can Make Your Dog Famous” with DJ
Jorun Bombay. “Get Some Friends” debuted at #1 on both Chartattack and Earshot
college radio charts for 2007, “The I Can Make Your Dog Famous Mixtape” is
still charting on the top 50 overall for Earshot. "Treat of the
Day" is his latest and best work to date. The album boasts 16 brand-new,
high-cholesterol songs, featuring guest appearances from El da
Sensei, Pumpkinhead, Edgar Allen Floe, Cesar Comanche, D-Sisive, Muneshine, Apt, and Timbuktu.
Ghettosocks has also been
receiving rotation for several of his videos on MuchMusic. Since his debut on
J-Bru's "Help I've Been Robbed!" Socks has appeared in rotation for
his songs "Step to a T-Rex", Rhythmicru's "We Have Come for you
Children" (featured verse), Wordburglar's "The Route" (featured
instrumental production), and Ghettosocks' most recent hit "Don't Turn
Around" (with Edgar Allen Floe.)