The MC known as Playdough is a rare story in Texas hip-hop. While much of the state is populated by artists who are content to achieve regional fame, and boast about it as if they have taken over the world – this is Texas after all, where everything is “bigger” – Playdough remains humble though his career has literally taken him all over the world. He recently hit number 2 on the CMJ hip-hop charts as well as cracking the Top 200.

Also Known As:
- “Harry Krum”
- Play-Doug-H

Associated Acts:
- Deepspace 5
- ILL Harmonics

Associated Artists:
- Freddie Bruno
- DJ Sean P
- Pigeon John
- ManChild
- Heath McNease
- Propaganda
-Blake Knight
Specialities:
- Producing & Engineering
- Battle Emcee

According to his website:

His name refers to the playtime cornerstone of everyone’s youth, the colorful clay modeling compound known as Play-Doh. But he’s no toy, and he’s definitely not here to be shaped by anyone’s hand, but his own.

His real name is Doug, and that played a role in his choice of moniker, but there’s a deeper meaning behind the name. “I try to change my style up and do something unique for each song,” Playdough explains, “shaping a melody, cadence and rhyme scheme.” Much like a sculptor might do when approaching a new piece. One listen to any of Playdough’s releases and you’ll see that he puts the art before anything.

Life on the road has taken Playdough all over the world. He’s performed with artists like Method Man & Redman, Evidence, Stalley, Brother Ali, Mr. Dibbs, Atmosphere, KRS-One, Tanya Morgan, MUTEMATH, MURS, Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), Erykah Badu, Linkin Park, Pigeon John, Blu and countless others.

Playdough came up as a battle MC, known for surprising crowds with his deft wit and complex off top freestyles. He’s the top Dallas freestyle rap champion of Monday Night Fights for two years running and has won five times on 97.9 The Beat’s Freestyle Fridays. He’s also won the Skribble Jam TX Battle and most recently was asked to participate in the prestigious invitation-only Red Bull Emcee competition.

Not content with the life of being merely a successful battle rapper, Playdough auditioned for a show on MTV called The Cut. Hosted by the late Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes, Playdough competed against talented artists like Anastasia, and Big Al from the Good Life. He made it to the finals of this celebrity judged talent competition, a precursor to shows like American Idol, impressing the likes of Montell Jordan, Dru Hill, KRS-ONE and Treach,and was soon offered a record deal with the Seattle based label Uprok Records.

Playdough has toured with a lot of bands – namely MUTEMATH, P.O.D. and Switchfoot.

But it’s his first indie release, Hotdoggin on his own Writer Dye Wrecords that has really started getting this diverse and highly motivated MC his just due. The singles, and compelling videos for “Ya Heard (with Mr Dibbs and The Black Keys)” and “No Angel” have been featured on some of the biggest music blogs as well as being listed as best hip-hop act by the Dallas Observer in 2011 and nominated for best rap/hip-hop act for the Dallas Observer Music Awards in 2012. It’s a real culmination of everything Playdough has learned on his path to becoming such a highly respected MC.

The album touches on all sorts of styles, and features Gift of Gab from Blackalicious, Mr. Dibbs vs The Black Keys, Deepspace 5, Picnic Tyme, Harry Krum and lots more.

With all of these accomplishments under his belt, you’d think that by now you’d know more about the MC known as Playdough. But instead of composing Texas-sized stories about himself, he’s been putting in the work, achieving success, and moving on to the next mission.