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Duane “D.O.” Gibson has defied the odds as a rapper from Canada, becoming a certified international artist, a published writer and a socially active community ambassador. He set a Guinness World Record when he freestyled for nearly nine hours in 2003, sold tens of thousands of CDs, hit #1 on U.S. College Hip Hop Radio charts and travelled the world performing for sold out crowds.
In 2012, Gibson is set to release his first book Stay Driven: Can’t Nobody Hold You Down based on the life lessons he shares with students through his motivational speaking program of the same name.
“I’ve had a life long love of reading and I want to encourage youth to make reading a habit,” says Gibson. “I’m only at schools for a short time so I felt that a book would help ensure that the message stayed in youth’s minds after I left.”
D.O.'s message to youth is that setting goals and persevering is the key to success. Growing up in communities where he was the only child of colour, he learned at an early age what it is like to be different from the crowd. Gibson confronted bullies, dealt with racism, and overcame shyness by believing in himself and following thru on his goals.
“I think the reason my visits to schools have been effective is because I tell personal stories. I don’t try to come across preachy. I can relate to youth that are going through challenges growing up because I went through them as well.”
Born in Watrous, Saskatchewan, D.O. moved to Ontario with his family at the age of two and grew up in Stratford, Sault Ste Marie and Sarnia. After graduating high school, he moved to Toronto, Ontario and attended York University. Gibson graduated with an Honours Degree in English and landed a spot on the Dean’s List writing an A+ thesis entitled “Rap as a Continuum of African-American Linguistic Practices.”
After graduating in 2001, Gibson became a part time teacher/tutor teaching after school English classes in Scarborough, Ontario. On the weekends he taught learn to read classes to junior kindergarten students. Simultaneously he began his rap career, beginning with the release of first music video “Say Now” which landed in rotation on Much Music.
It was around this time that a family friend, and school teacher, asked Gibson to speak to her class of students about how he was able to become a rapper, but also graduate from University. In a few short months, Gibson was fielding requests to speak and perform at dozens of schools and Stay Driven was born. Gibson has averaged hundred plus school performances annually since 2007.
In addition to being a solo artist, D.O. is half of the duo Art of Fresh whose music was featured ad campaigns for Volkswagen, Orville Redenbacher Popcorn, and Chevrolet. The groups single “Out Of This World” soared to #1 on the U.S. College Hip-Hop Radio Charts. They reached international audiences with performances worldwide including multiple tours of Canada as well as international tours in Europe (France, UK, Netherlands), Asia (Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong) and the US (Miami, NYC, Vegas).
In 2012, D.O. released his third solo album “Heavy In The Game” which featured singles such as “It’s On” and “Can’t Tell Me.” Three of the videos from the album have over 100,000 views on Youtube.
Legendary MC Chuck D of Public Enemy said of the artist, “D.O. represents the new breed of MCs putting heat on the status quo of the rap game.”
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