Join Austin360, KUTX and Waterloo Records for a live performance by Austin rap ace Deezie Brown

“Fifth Wheel Fairytale,” the debut full-length from Bastrop spitter Devin “Deezie” Brown is a resolutely Southern street fable, a story of candy paint and speed traps, rap redemption and glorious love. Honed over a five-year period, the richly orchestrated release features a cast of about 20 Austin area standouts including R&B artist Malik, guitar ace Jackie Venson, soaring pop artist Mobley and Austin’s young guns of blues, the Peterson Brothers (who also happen to be Brown’s cousins).

It goes heavy on harmonies and hard won wisdom while packing a sucker punch of solid heart.  In short, it’s one of the best hip-hop albums to come from the ATX in the past decade.

KUTX, Waterloo Records to debut 'The Drop' with Austin rapper Deezie Brown

But don’t take my word for it. Come experience Brown’s vivid story raps and lush production for yourself when he takes the stage with his five-piece band at Waterloo Records on Oct. 13 for the first installment of our new live music series, "The Drop." Each month the Statesman and KUTX 98.9 FM will present a live performance from an up-and-coming Austin artist, highlighting the diverse talent that makes our city the Live Music Capital of the World. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. Brown will perform a short set and share some of the stories behind the songs. It’s free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.

From 2021:We're talking the evolution of Austin's hip-hop scene on today's Monday Music Mashup

"Fifth Wheel Fairytale" is a cinematic experience. In the great tradition of hip-hop concept records, it traces the story of a race car driver, following him through boyhood into an often troubled adult life. Along the way we encounter shady characters, attend a jubilant wedding and joyride, trunk bumping, through the dirty south.

For Brown, learning to write through the eyes of a fictional character freed his voice.

“It's not me. It's not Devin,” he says. “It's more what Devin is going through and Devin’s fears and Devin’s anger and Devin's happiness.”

Because his character’s struggles move on a parallel path to Brown’s own, the music is still “from the home and from the heart,” he says.

Heart is at the center of the album, with numbers like “Jeromeo and Juliet” that belong in the catalog of essential hip-hop love songs.

COVID pandemic shutdown, daughter's birth inform Deezie Brown's 'Fifth Wheel Fairytale'

The 2020 pandemic shutdown and the experience of watching people lose their lives instantly “made me move in different ways for love,” Brown says. “I was like, I've got to utilize my time. I’ve got to utilize my message, I’ve got to utilize my music a whole lot better.”

The birth of his daughter in 2016 also changed Brown. “Having a child definitely put me in the position to take charge, lead, focus and educate,” he says.

More:The ultimate list of Austin live music for the rest of 2022

At the time, he was working at the post office while trying to decipher the music business.

“I had to grow up, you know. There were a lot of things I had to stop doing, like going out so much,” he says.

As he buckled down to make music, the subject matter of his songs shifted. He wanted to be a role model.

“A lot of songs that we hear on the radio aren't leading or aren't motivating Black men, in my opinion,” he says. “So I always wanted to make sure I was pushing a positive message.”

Repping Texas key for Deezie Brown

Like most Bastrop kids of his generation, Brown revered hometown hero DJ Screw.

As he grew into himself as an artist, he began thinking about his own contribution to the Texas sound.

“That was always my thing like, OK, DJ Screw has done this thing for Texas," he says. "How can I add to that legacy? How can I bring more value to this place to where people want to come here to shoot good movies and make Texas the thing that I know that it is?”

Repping Texas is an essential part of Brown’s sound.

“Home is everything. Especially being from the south,” he says. “It's tougher than a lot of different places to make it. But yeah, I'm so proud to be from here.”

The Drop returns in November

We'll be back at Waterloo Records on Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. with Mobley, whose excellent new EP "Cry Havoc" came out Sept. 23.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: New Austin live music series at Waterloo Records with Statesman, KUTX