Nadeem Phillip Syed (born 18 June 1996), known professionally as D Said, is a South African rapper, songwriter and record label founder . Born and raised in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, he gained public recognition after releasing his collaborative EP , Press Rewind (2019) which produced the successful single, Press Rewind.
After releasing his first solo song, Syed started his independent record label Forgotten Kings Entertainment. Growing and working with artist such as Dre Autumn, Kidohil, Jayy..., KTG Clouds and SYX_RSA.
Life and career
1997–2017: Early life and initial single
Nadeem Phillip Syed was born on June 18, 1996 in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal. After the passing of his father who was involved in a fatal murder while he was the tender age of 8, he followed his dream in becoming a a artist this was also the last words he remembers having with his father while rapping along to "The real slim shady" by Eminem. Syed attended Fairvale Secondary School in Wentworth, Durban where he completed his 11th grade and decided to leave Secondary School and went to college to study which he progressed and achieved his diploma in Pc and Network Engineering.
During his secondary schooling he was apart of several different music groups, studios and entertainment companies but none of them pushed him to his fullest he would do this till the age of 19 when he decided to take a break from the music scene and focus on his studies. In 2016 after the birth of his son he decided to pusure a solo career. At the age of twenty one , Syed released his debut single Nikes On My Feet 2017. This is when he decided to start his own record label Forgotten Kings Entertainment and this was the start of his growing success.
2018: For You, the team and single
2018 Syed received a message from cousin and artist Dre Autumn saying he wanted to do music and sent him his first song ever recorded. Syed instantly realized the potential and the greatness that Autumn had in him deciding once again to put his music career a side. Syed then started working and managing Autumn this been the first artist he would have to manage and also the first artist he would distribute under Forgotten Kings Entertainment. While managing Autumn, Syed dropped a 2 track EP titled For You on 6 July 2018. Autumn introduced Syed to other artist such as Jayy..., KTG Clouds, artist and producer Kidohil this forming his team and people he would work with. In late 2018 he started recorded a single featuring Kidohil titled Press Rewind which saw over 1000 downloads in the first week and aired on Pretoria based radio station capital live on Africa's top 30 charts this single was out of Syed's comfort zone been afro pop but it was his breakout single. Following the release a project was in the works
2019 - Press Rewind EP
Ending of 2018 and early 2019 Syed and Kidohil decided to do a collaborative EP titled Press Rewind following thier single Press Rewind which was nomore d Said featuring Kidohil but yet D Said and Kidohil. The EP was initially to drop in December but Syed and Kidohil didn't feel any beat that was produce for the EP. The initial production of the EP took Syed and Kidohil a total of one week to complete the remaining 3 songs of the afro pop EP and was officially released and distributed on February 23, 2019.
Syed got straight back into studio and recorded his second solo EP with an alternative sound which was inspired by lil Skies and xxxtentacion which releases November 16, 2019 this EP was recorded in 5 days.
In December 2020 D Said signed a probation contract with record label Platinum Supreme Music Group (PSMG).
In 2021 D Said left PSMG and decided to remain in his own label Forgotten Kings Entertainment. With this releasing a few singles during 2021 with his hit single Love featuring Kidohil.
D Said
Birth name
Nadeem Phillip Syed
Also known as
Dee
Born
18 June 1996 (age 23)
Origin
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Genres
Hip hop, Rap, RnB, Trap soul, afropop
Occupation(s)
Rapper Singer Songwriter
Labels
Bigger Picture Records (former)
Platinum Supreme Music Group (former)
Forgotten Kings Entertainment (current)
Instruments
Vocals
Years active
2004–present