With a style that pairs terse, simple lyricism with a knack for narrative, Kennedy took inspiration from West Coast rap legends like 2Pac and DJ Quik and began rapping in the late 2000s, gradually building word-of-mouth buzz through several self-released mixtapes. Kennedy made his debut in 2008 with 25th Hour, followed by Future Street/Drug Sounds and Best After Bobby in 2009, From the Westside with Love in 2010, and The Original Dom Kennedy in 2011. By this point, he had begun touring across the United States and internationally, playing a show in Djibouti, Africa. Rather than sign on with a label, the talented MC instead decided to start his own label, the Other People's Money Company, which he used to release his own official albums. From the Westside with Love II arrived in 2011 and was a success, hitting the Top 100 of the Billboard 200 album chart. Kennedy toured throughout the U.S. and Europe in 2012, and released mixtapes Yellow Album (which Delicious Vinyl released on vinyl) and Young Nation, as well as the single "My Type of Party." Interscope tried to sign Kennedy in 2013 but he insisted on remaining independent, releasing second proper album Get Home Safely by the end of the year. The album proved to be an even bigger success, hitting the Top 25 and earning critical acclaim. Third album By Dom Kennedy was issued in 2015 with production by Jake One, DJ Dahi, and others. ~ Gregory Heaney