Today we’d like to introduce you to COREY DILIGENT.
COREY, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Corey Diligent. I am an inspiring rap artist born and raised in Southwest Atlanta, GA better known as the SWATS.. My motivation to start rapping started back in middle school. I attended Continental Colony Elementary School & Bunche Middle School with my childhood friends & popular 90’s rap duo, Kris Kross. When their smash single, “Jump” came out in 1992, we were in 6th grade. That’s when I started rapping. Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith (the light-skinned gentleman from Kris Kross) coined my rap name DILIGENT. Corey is my government name. This is the how my stage name COREY DILIGENT was coined. RIP CHRIS “MAC DADDY” KELLY. KRIS KROSS FOREVER!!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest struggle is losing my mom and dad. I was their only child together. Although I miss them daily, my music serves as therapy to me to overcome these type of struggles. I strive daily to make them proud. RIP MOM & DAD!!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am also a famed battle rapper as well. My battle rap journey started in 2001 when I won my very first freestyle battle competition. I won the Mic Club Freestyle Battle which was held at Apache Cafe (known venue in the Atlanta area.) It was hosted by the late great Dres tha Beatnik. RIP!!
From there in 2002, I was the 10-Week Freestyle Friday Champion on Hot 107.9. It was hosted by Cory “Co Co Brother” Coundrey. I was retired on-air as Champion after my 10-Week run and had the opportunity to freestyle on-air with known Southern rap duo, Field Mob.
From there in 2003, I won the Undisputed Emcee Competition on known Atlanta show, “American Music Makers” hosted by the late great Arnell Starr. RIP!!
From there in 2005, I was the first ATL Native to appear on “BET’s 106 & Park” as a Freestyle Friday Contestant hosted by known BET host, Free (known as Miss Free currently). Being seen on national TV, this is the accomplishment I am most proud of . This is in addition to being a Cum Laude Graduate of Morehouse College.
From there in 2010 I was battle rapper on Grind Time Now Battle League. At the time, it was the largest battle league in the world. I battled in the Georgia Division. Better known as GrindTime Georgia or (GTNGA).
From there in 2014 I was a battle rapper on Spit Dat Heat Battle League. At the time was the most popular Southern battle rap league.
I have also battled on MC War based out of Atlanta, Don’t Flop Atlanta which Don’t Flop Battle League was based out of the United Kingdom (UK). Lastly, I battled on Iron Mouth Battle League (IMBL) which was based out of Memphis, Tennessee.
After my last rap battle in 2015, I retired from the battle rap ring to focus on my music.
I currently have five (5) projects. Three (3) of which are currently available in all streaming and digital platforms. The projects are titled:
1. DILIGENT- “LEGACY”
2. 8AM- “8AM IN THE MORNING”
3. COREY DILIGENT- “COREY DILIGENT”
All five (5) projects have respective music videos & visuals to go along with their respective projects. All videos were shot by Dan Hunter of Yellow Trigger Films. These videos can be viewed by simply:
YOUTUBE – COREY DILIGENT
What sets me apart from other emcees is my high-level of lyricism and multi-syllabic rhyming ability.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
GOD is the main support system. He is my main motivation to continue to pursue music. I give him the Honor & Glory daily for I acknowledge my musical talent is God given and God driven. BARS!!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @diligentswats
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BkhZtX3cK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
