Despot (rapper)

Alec Reinstein (born May 7, 1982), better known by his stage name Despot, is an American hip-hop artist from Queens, New York City. He was signed to rapper El-P's label Definitive Jux in 2004. Despite not having released a full-length solo album, Despot has been a part of the New York underground rap scene for over a decade. Despot is associated with the Smart Crew collective and a co-owner of Santos Party House.

Biography

Despot grew up in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens. He became involved in hip-hop at an early age, claiming that its prevalence amongst kids in his neighborhood made him appreciate rap. Around the age of twelve, Despot began to hang out with a Brooklyn gang called the Lo-Lifes, most notable for wearing Polo Ralph Lauren clothing. Despot identifies himself as hopelessly addicted to sneakers and Polo clothing.

Despot's Queens upbringing also showed him lots of upcoming New York rappers. He claims to have been more of a delinquent as a teenager because he constantly listened to Mobb Deep's The Infamous. Upon buying 6 Feet Deep, supergroup Gravediggaz' first album, Despot wore baggy pants and carried a Panasonic boom box around with him. He was given the nickname "Puff" because of his marijuana use. During his years in junior high school, Despot and his friends rapped over an instrumental tape of "Worldwide" by Royal Flush. Despot's friends told him he was the most talented of the group, and he began to write rhymes.