Dem Franchize Boyz, aka DFB, is a Southern rap group, from the West side
of Atlanta, consisting of classmates Gerald Tiller ("Buddy"), Bernard
Leverette ("Jizzal Man"), Jamall Willingham ("Pimpin"), and Maurice
Gleaton ("Parlae"). Based in Atlanta, the group had a slow start with
minor releases and mixtapes before they were signed by Universal and
released their debut in 2004, self-titled. Jermaine Dupri, under his So
So Def label, picked them up and they released a number #1 hit with the
retitled remix "Oh I Think They Like Me" with appearances from Bow Wow
and Da Brat. In 2006, they scored again with hit
single, "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It." They've since been hitting
the million sales. The group was featured on BET in
January 2006 appearing with Jermaine Dupri.
Dem Franchise Boyz' music is considered to be a detailed
snapshot of their lives,
dealing with every day elements from their life experiences to their
clothes, the daily events, their fun and their challenges to survive.
At the beginning of their career, will likely prove to be a major
influence on the direction of crunk.
DFB is not without controversy, having crossed another Atlanta rap
group, D4L, over origins of the "Doin' It Dance." But they just keep
rolling, releasing the album, "On Top of Our Game," in early 2006, to
the sale of nearly 800,000 copies in the first week alone. Watch for
some major award recognition going their way in the years to come.
