'Darius Goes West' Raps His Way Back to Athens for Annual Festival

Eight years after "Pimp My Ride," Darius Weems is rolling forward.

The Athens-native, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, first found life in the spotlight almost a decade ago. His 2005 summer began with a 7,000 mile trip to California and a teenage dream to get his wheelchair refurbished by MTV's hit show. What followed was an award-winning documentary, $1.5 million for DMD research and a nationwide movement to help other kids diagnosed with the same disease. The trip has become a platform for Weems to connect with others, to reach out and explore opportunities he wasn't sure he'd have.

"You know I’m not a rich man, but I’ve seen a lot and did a lot," he said. "All the time I’ll get hooked up with kids who are going through the same thing and they kind of loosen up because they see that I’m happy and going through the same thing."

Moving forward, Weems is looks for outlets in addition to television appearances and touring. He listens to Kings of Leon and Tupac Shakur. He plays NBC games on his X-Box 360 and celebrates LeBron James' victory during the Celtics-Heat playoffs.

Mostly, he writes music — watching as his rap career slowly takes off. The 22-year-old has recently signed a record deal with New South entertainment. He's released several songs on iTunes. He's ended a 30-day tour of the Northeast. And with luck, his first album will find its way to stores in the fall.

"I’m just working hard and writing music and basically having fun with it," Weems said. "I’m talking about things that happen in my everyday life. Everything is moving slowly but it’s definitely worth it."

Recently, Weems has been focusing his attention towards home. Even with a burgeoning music career, giving back takes stays a prominent part in his life. From July 19 to 21, The Darius Goes West Foundation will be putting on its to raise money for DMD research. Like his music, Weems hopes to use the festivities to raise awareness about DMD and inspire others to "never give up." 

"That’s one of the things that I preach in my music — just showing that no matter your situation, you can do what you want," Weems said. "Life ain’t been so perfect for me so I want people to know sometimes you struggle a little bit. But sometimes life takes you on a different ride and you make it."

The festival — spread over a three day period — will include poker games, a carnival, exotic petting zoos, camel rides and a screening of "Darius Goes West."

And then, Weems will do things like entertain friends, family and strangers with a rooftop hip-hop concert at The Georgia Theatre.

The festival is Weems' way to give back to The Classic City, which he credits with enabling him to take the 2005 journey that started it all.

"Looking back, when we started this whole Darius Goes West movement, it went to this whole big thing," he said. "And Athens was the one that sent us on the original trip. It’s always fun giving back to the community." 

Whether he's writing songs about his personal experience or rapping at festivals to raise money for a cure, Weems continues to look for ways to show others that life is worth living.

"There ain’t no reason for crying about something you can’t change," he said. "Sometimes you just got to keep on moving. I think in my situation, keeping busy, interacting with a lot of people and doing a lot of different things keep me motivated and keep my mind off the bad stuff."