Get the full Deitrick Haddon experience:
Stay up on the latest gospel happenings at GospelFlava.com!
On the eve of his Verity debut release, DEITRICK HADDON, is seemingly a young man on the cusp of greatness. Having created a firestorm of buzz with his previous releases on Tyscot Records, HADDON now brings his distinguishable vocal talent, live performance, production and songwriting ability to Verity Records with the debut release of “LOST & FOUND” this Summer.
“LOST & FOUND” is much more than an innovative album and interesting title - it’s distinctive and well defined. Targeting people both in and out of the church, HADDON gives listeners various styles of music all under a gospel umbrella. He is an unassuming artist, who allows for his talent and his music to speak for itself and the end result is an intimate and honest portrait of a man and his soul.
From rock to Praise & Worship, the album is a collection of inspired and artistic music straight from the artist’s heart. And as the title suggests HADDON wants to reach both the lost (those not in the church) and the found (Believers). One of the strongest examples is the cut “Sinner’s Prayer,” an R&B-toned song for people to know that God hears even the sinner’s prayers, and because of his [Haddon’s] own prayer he was saved.
“The title is theme for the whole album and it lets people know that no matter what God can always reach them … both the lost and the found. I believe that Gospel music - that is God’s music should reach everybody,” said HADDON. “The song ‘Sinner’s Prayer’ is about reaching people who are lost and bringing them out of whatever they might be in. It’s time to stop judging one another and time to lift up one another.”
Further encouragement can be found on the song “Changed Man.” A genuine hit where lyrically you become aware of the power of God’s love. It speaks to how one’s life can be changed simply by receiving Jesus in your life. “Once you receive the love of God in your heart … all the things in your life are changed,” HADDON explained.
Providing the balance is a compelling and glorious “Worship Medley.” Featuring powerful Praise & Worship songs that are likely soon to be heard in worship services around the country, it includes “Joy Of The Lord,” and “Oh, The Glory.”
“Stand Still,” yet another moving worship song is made even all the more compelling with the special guest appearance by label mate Pastor Donnie McClurkin. Expected to be a future church standard, the song beautifully flows into a powerful crescendo.
Also highlighted is the smash “Up, Up, Up (Praises Go Up).” In what HADDON describes as “the Praise & Worship song of the year,” you can just hear a ‘Ricky Martin-ish flair’ on the salsa-flava’d and full of praise song that absolutely defies you to remain in your seat. The song utterly reveals the joy and purpose of praising God - “praises go up … the blessings come down.”
HADDON who wrote all the songs on “LOST & FOUND,” also took the opportunity to work with someone very close to him - his wife, Damita Haddon who is a recording artist in her own right. Damita not only co-wrote on the song, “Happiness,” but also appears on the effervescent mid-tempo duet about their love for each other. “The song just speaks about the joy that we’ve found in loving one another,” HADDON said. “I wanted to do a song that reflected our feelings for each other … two young people who are happy being together.”
Showing stylistic range with “Resting Place,” a smooth and fluid mid-tempo ballad, HADDON, sings the message that God is our shelter and our protection. Inspired by the events on September 11th, HADDON recalls his feelings after that tragic day, “I wrote it right after 9/11 … I was afraid to fly and the spirit of fear was everywhere … the world was just out of sync. I even called my managers and told them I wasn’t flying anywhere … then God just ministered to me and reassured me that he would take care of me. “ “If we relax and remember that He will be our resting place … our shelter in time of trouble.”
Gospel impresario and another prominent label mate Fred Hammond makes a special appearance on the album with the “party track,” “Oh Yeah,” a duet featuring an urban hip hop sound. “Fred Hammond is one of my mentors … he paved the way for young men like me,” said HADDON. “For us to be together on one track is amazing.”
Song after song, “LOST & FOUND,” gives something different and needed. From the intro “D.D.,” a funky and fun literal introduction to who DEITRICK HADDON is, to the final “Make Me Wanna Dance,” a hip-hop based Gospel jam; HADDON balances the different styles effortlessly. “’LOST & FOUND’ is a well-balanced project,” said HADDON. “Its something for your worship service, but much more … it is a witnessing tool, with this project I want to compel people to come to church … to win souls, I want it to serve a double purpose.”
The journey for HADDON to this point has been an interesting one. Like many talented young singers, HADDON was lured by the prospects of recording a secular album. Catching the eye of Arista Records and a number of high profile producers, they immediately brought him to Atlanta to cut his album. In the midst of the recording process, HADDON realized this wasn’t the road for him.
“I heard the voice of God speaking to me and He told me that He had my life already mapped out and this is not what I was supposed to be doing,” HADDON recalled. “That very same day, I called the producers and told them that I couldn’t continue to record the album, I have to do Gospel music. God was all in that situation … just like that I was free from any contractual agreements and had no problems at all. I choose to record Gospel music because of what God has called me to do … I stood strong in what I believe my purpose is in my life and I think it will pay off.”
“Once you listen to the record in its entirety, you get to know my spirit, soul and mind,” said Haddon. “From hip hop to soul to rock to straight up gospel … these are all musical styles that I love and are reflected in this album. I really wanted to do music that everyone can relate to … something that everyone can grab a hold to.”