Fil-Canadian rapper aims for Hollywood stardom

HOLLYWOOD, California - Filipino-Canadian talent D-Pryde gladly took the mic to perform a short rap on-the-spot because he says his Filipina mom will be happy to see him on TFC.

The rapper/singer/songwriter has been making a name in Canada where he grew up.

Fans say his talent is a mix of Justin Bieber and Eminem.

D-Pryde's YouTube channel has over 57 million views, a testament to his growing fanbase.

Because of this, he's been getting some attention from the Hollywood music industry.

D-Pryde says it's not easy for an Asian rapper to enter the business, but he works hard to prove his worth.

On his own, the rapper was able to build his following through social media.

“I used to feel discriminated. In the first stages of my career, a lot of people were hating on it, but now hip-hop has gotten very accepting towards everybody outside of the black culture. But on the label side, a lot of people are really scared and cautious as to putting an Asian artist out, they don't know how to market them. But I made so much of my own market, that it's not impossible,” he said.

At 19, D-Pryde has gone through a lot. Growing up, he endured bullying. But instead of backing down, he used those experiences as an inspiration to create, hoping that others facing similar difficulties will be able to relate to his music.

“My dad walked out on me when I was little so I relate to those kids, too,” he said.

Though he says it was tough when his father left them to live in the Philippines, it is his mother, Rosalie Teves, who supported his music dream.

“My main focus is to make life better for myself and make my mom proud,” he said.

D-Pryde recently signed a deal with music publisher BMG Chrysalis US and went to Los Angeles to record a six-song EP.