Canton Jones, born in Deerfield Beach, Florida,^[1] is an American Christian musician and Christian hip-hop artist.

Biography[link]

Early years[link]

Canton Jones began singing at the age of 5 in a vocal group founded by his father. By the age of 16, he was writing and producing songs for friends in his hometown.^[2]

He relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where he attended Morehouse College joining the school's renowned Glee Club. The club performed for celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Dr. Bobby Jones and Ray Charles, as well as performing at high profile events such as the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games and at the first gospel concert ever held at the US Pentagon.^[3]

Between 1998 and 1999, he joined World Changers Church International, under the pastorship of Creflo & Taffi Dollar and in his own words, grew as a Christian under their stewardship: "My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, took me to World Changers and I started getting the word. I was going to that church for like three years before I really rededicated my life to Christ. I was there from probably like 1998 or 1999 until 2001 before I really started getting on track."^[3]

Musical career[link]

In 2001, Jones launched his own gospel record label, CAJO International.^[3] and independently released his first album, 2002's 20 Years, 3 Months & 12 Days, which chronicled his journey to salvation.

He released his second independent album in 2004: The Password and that same year, collaborated with Lil iROCC Williams on Williams's 2004 debut album, and wrote and performed a song, "You and Me", for the compilation Holy Hip-Hop:Taking the Gospel to the Streets.

At this time he was now a member of the choir of World Changers International Church and a solo performance at the church attracted the attention of the church's youth pastor, who asked Jones to help him in the youth department. Not long after that, he was signed to the church's Arrow Records label, an affiliate of EMI.^[2]

He released his major label debut, Love Jones, in the summer of 2005, which debuted at number 11 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart.^[2] The album is named after his daughter, Love, born to him and wife Ramona in 2004.^[4] Following the album's success, Canton toured the US with over 200 appearances that year.

In November 2005, The Password was re-released nationally at the end of 2005 as The Password: Access Granted and earned him two Grammy nominations.^[3] His success in 2005 saw him listed in The Atlanta Business Journal at number 19 in their 40 Under 40 chart of Atlanta's rising stars.^[3]

On 5 April 2008, he released Kingdom Business. In 2009, he released Kingdom Business, Pt. 2, and Kingdom Business, Pt. 3 followed in 2010.

Canton Jones's fifth and most highly anticipated album for him and for CAJO Records, Dominionaire, was released on Febuaury 1st, 2011. Three singles were released prior to the albums release, "In da Club", "Window", and "GOD", only the first two listed were released on iTunes.

Personal life[link]

Canton Jones has a wife named Ramona and they have a daughter, Love Jones and a son, Dominion Jones. He attends World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia, where he sings as a member of the praise & worship team.

Discography[link]

References[link]

Deitrick Haddon
Background information
Birth name	Deitrick Vaughn Haddon
Born	(1973-05-17) May 17, 1973 (age 39)
Origin	Detroit, Michigan
Genres	Gospel, urban gospel, R&B, pop, pop rock, funk, soul, dance
Occupations	Singer, Songwriter, Arranger, Producer, Pastor
Instruments	Vocals, Piano
Years active	1997-Present
Labels	Tyscot, Arista, Verity
Associated acts	Deitrick Haddon & Voices Of Unity Damita Haddon

Deitrick Vaughn Haddon (born May 17, 1973) is a Gospel singer, songwriter, producer and pastor. A popular artist known for his contemporary style of music, he is well known for his progressive gospel styles.

Early years[link]

Haddon is a native of Detroit, Michigan.

Haddon launched his solo career as a Christian R&B vocalist with the Lost & Found on Tyscot/Verity in 2002. The set peaked at #1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Charts^[1] and received wide critical acclaim and spawned the hit "Sinner's Prayer" which received heavy spins on gospel and mainstream R&B radio stations.^[2]

The 70's-leaning Crossroads followed in 2004, led off by the upbeat single "God Is Good". In an uncharacteristic move for marketing a gospel album, Detrick made an appearance on the long-running syndicated series Soul Train performing the single as well as the title track from the album.^[3]

Haddon appeared to be pushing his Gospel artistry for many things further into the ranks of mainstream venues with 7 Days, released October 10, 2006. 7 Days was executive produced and produced almost entirely by R&B stalwart producers Tim & Bob^[4] (also responsible for hits by Sisqo, Chante Moore, Karen Clark Sheard, and others). Balancing out the contemporary bulk of the album is the traditional gospel flavored lead single "Heaven Knows" which Deitrick produced himself.

On December 1, 2006, Deitrick and Damita Haddon's 85 South Gospel Street Show premiered on The Word Network. The show features notable gospel artists such as Men of Standard, Donnie McClurkin, Kierra Sheard, Natalie Wilson, and many other prominent gospel artists. In essence, Deitrick and Damita Haddon provide novice artists an opportunity to display their talents and gifts. 85 South Gospel Street airs every Friday at 4:30 p.m. on The Word Network.

Haddon once inked a recording contract with major label Arista Records, not known for producing gospel artists. Haddon and his brother Gerald also produced the comeback album Brand New Day for veteran gospel vocalist Vanessa Bell Armstrong. Deitrick Haddon & Voices Of Unity's Live The Life won Gospel Music Workshop of America Excellence Awards for "New Artist of the Year—Urban Contemporary" and "Album of the Year—Urban Contemporary".

On September 2, 2008, Deitrick Haddon released another album called "Revealed". This album includes the popular single, "Love Him Like I Do" (featuring Mary Mary and Ruben Studdard). On July 27, 2010 Haddon made his film debut in a movie released directly to DVD called "Blessed and Cursed."

On January 25, 2011 Deitrick Haddon released the much anticipated "Church On The Moon", his fifth album with Verity Records. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboards Top Gospel charts and #65 on the Billboard 200.

Discography[link]

• Voices Of Unity: Come Into This House (Tyscot, 1995)
• Live The Life (Tyscot, 1997)
• This Is My Story (Tyscot, 1998)
• Chainbreaker (Tyscot, 1999)
• Nu Hymnz (Tyscot, 2001)
• Voices Of Unity: Supernatural (Tyscot, 2001)
• Lost And Found (Verity, 2002)
• Crossroads (Verity, 2004)
• Voices Of Unity: All Star Edition (Tyscot, 2004)
• Just The Hits (Tyscot, 2005)
• 7 Days (Verity, 2006)
• Voices Of Unity: Together in Worship (Tyscot, 2007)
• Revealed (Verity, 2008)
• Blessed & Cursed (Tyscot, 2010)
• Church on the Moon (Verity, 2011)

Personal life[link]

Haddon is now the Pastor at Detroit's Kingdom Culture Church, taking over from his father.

Deitrick's wife Damita Haddon is a vocalist and has released the self-titled Damita on Atlantic Records in 2000, which was also produced in part by Deitrick. She followed it with a sophomore effort, No Looking Back in 2008 on Tyscot Records of Voices of Unity fame.

External links[link]

• Deitrick Haddon at Allmusic
• Voices Of Unity at Allmusic
• Deitrick on MySpace
• Billboard review of Revealed
• Deitrick Haddon's Biography
• Official site to the Church On The Moon album

References[link]