San Bernardino rapper Daniel “D’zyl 5k1” Fromm will perform in Riverside on Saturday, Nov. 30. (Contributed Image)
Daniel Fromm’s biggest hip-hop influence is a man known for his accordion-filled parodies — “Weird” Al Yankovic.
“He was an iconoclast in a way,” Fromm, whose stage name is D’zyl 5k1 (pronounced Diesel 5001).
The creative interpretation and reimagining of popular songs inspired Fromm, who grew up in San Bernardino, to make his own versions.
After a friend heard his parodies, he suggested that Fromm try to create his own music.
Years later, not only is D’Zyl 5k1 creating his own music, but he’s part of the Uproar hip-hop collective in the Inland Empire and is paying his dues with a goal to be the next local rapper on the Paid Dues independent hip-hop festival in 2014.
Born in Hollywood, Fromm moved to San Bernardino when he was in elementary school, a self-described nerd who started writing songs as an outlet after he would finish his schoolwork early in class.
Fromm will be joining fellow Uproar member Stutta Boii during a performance at Mexicali Bar and Grill in Riverside on Saturday, Nov. 30, celebrating Stutta Boii’s new album.
Saturday’s show will also feature performances from Golden State Union, Manifest Sound, Motor Mouth, Clomkas Members Only, Turtle and Dat Heathen.
Growing up, Fromm loved ‘90s R&B and rock music until he heard The Pharcyde’s “Passin’ Me By,” a song with an outcast theme that he immediately related to.
“I got rejected a lot,” Fromm said.
But as he quietly worked on his music, he ended up entering a talent competition in high school and was such a hit that the idea of making music ignited a spark for him.
In the last year D’Zyl 5k1’s popularity has been growing. In December 2012 he played a show with an influence, rapper Chino XL, and the momentum has kept rolling with collaborations, more live performances and multiple musical releases.
In addition to his campaign for Paid Dues 2014, the rapper is working on a double album due out early next year.
One of his goals is to write a song featuring opera, another style of music the audiophile loves.
“I really like the feel of it — those notes are really powerful,” Fromm said.
He’s planning on the album featuring one disc of original music and the other will be more compilation-style, including collaborations and featured tracks.
Beyond landing on the big stage in his backyard, Fromm has another big goal.
“Maybe one day ‘Weird’ Al Yankovic will make fun of my songs,” he said.
9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, Mexicali Bar and Grill, 1690 Spruce St., Riverside, 21 and older only.
The show is a turkey and canned food drive and admission is free with a donation.
Visit www.uproarmassmedia.com and www.facebook.com/dzyl5001music for more on Fromm.