DDM - COME AT THE KING

THERE ARE FEW ARTISTS in the history of Baltimore music who have so captured the city in their sounds as rapper DDm, aka Dapper Dan Midas. From cutting his teeth on the local rap battle circuit to his role as frontman of beloved hip-hip duo Bond St. District to his star-power solo career, the Park Heights native is a hometown cheerleader, using his captivating stage presence and charismatic verses to speak to all of this town’s struggle and joy.

- LYDIA WOOLEVER

Most notably on his new album, The Ballad of Omar, DDm takes a hard look at his own life experience growing up Black and queer in Baltimore City, presenting the complexities through the lens of his title character, the infamous stick-up man from HBO’s The Wire. Along the way, he writes his own narrative for Baltimore and delivers his most powerful record to date, showcasing himself as a mighty, dynamic artist the labels should sign already. Across both raw rap tracks and poetic ballads, DDm writes a work of essential listening for everyone who calls this city home.

A CONVERSATION WITH DDM

Where did the concept for The Ballad of Omar come from?