In 2007, filmmaker Logan Smalley released the documentary Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life, which followed 15-year-old Duchenne muscular dystrophy sufferer Darius Weems on a cross-country trip to Los Angeles to get his wheelchair modified on Xzibit’s “Pimp My Ride.” Now, in honor of Weems’ 23rd birthday, Smalley and company have re-teamed to help Darius fulfill his dream of becoming a rapper.
Smalley and his film crew – as well as Bubba Sparxxx, Duddy Ken and Sparxxx’s manager Bobby Stamp – had been organizing a secret online surprise party in honor of Darius. The surprise culminated in the commercial release of Darius’ first single “Thank You For 23” on his birthday this past September 27.
“Every year, we do something huge for Darius’ brithday. This year, he’s turning 23 – it’s a big one,” explains Smalley. “Doctors definitely didn’t think he would make it this far, and he’s been really focused on his rap career as well as Darius Goes West recently…and so, for his birthday, we want to host an enormous online surprise party and make him a rap star overnight.”
Since “Thank You For 23” was first put on iTunes for pre-order this September 23, it has broken into the iTunes Top 200 Hip Hop Singles chart. The song can be purchased here.
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