Damien Dragonetti
Encyclopedia
Damien Dragonetti is an American rapper/producer. He is best known for his feature on Variable02 (1999) creating TiTe Mic Corporation, and producing the album, Chronicles of a Woman, a 2007 album by female rapper Madawm, which features superstars Eminem
and Xzibit
.
, near his birthplace of Pascagoula
.
(BDP). Their first major show was opening for Kool Moe Dee
.
In 1992 in Pensacola, Florida
, Dragonetti (then known as G. Money) performed for the manager and co-owner of Total Sound Management, Inc. (TSM Records), Willie Easley, who signed Dragonetti to his first deal. Dragonetti and his label-mates appeared regularly on TSM's TV show Saturday Night Live at the Apollo (a spin-off of Showtime at the Apollo
in New York), which aired Saturday nights on Blab TV. In 1995 he returned to Mississippi
, and with Joe Jones (aka Juke Jonz), created Soul Street Productions. The new production company would open for New Orleans bounce music artist Dj Jubilee of Take Fo Records.
Shortly thereafter, Dragonetti and Jonz were reportedly offered a deal with Blunt Recording/TVT Records
, which would have made Soul Street Production the second rap group in Mississippi's history to sign a major deal, they declined down the offer.
In 1996, Dragonetti met with producer/songwriter Bobby Reese, also from Pascagoula, who is credited with writing the song "Everlasting Love" for R&B act Tony Terry
along with Terry Antonio Meguel.
Reese taught Dragonetti how to use a production system with the aid of computers. Dragonetti used the new technology to produce "Tru Playa 4 Life", featuring Tenishia Toussaint, with backups by Reese.
In 1997, Dragonetti created and launch TiTe Mic Records, later known as TiTeMic.com, In 1999 Tru Playa 4 Life would be featured on Variables02 released November 1999 by Loupimps Records (LPS), distributed by City Hall Records.
In 2001, Dragonetti wrote and produced the song “Art Of War" about 9/11, featuring rock guitarist Dean Weaver, and published by
TiTe Mic Music Group (BMI
).
, Dragonetti worked with Restoration Church (overseen by Pastor Elder James Moffett) and First Baptist Church of Moss Point passing out food and supplies
to people in need.
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
and Xzibit
Xzibit
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner , better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success...
.
Early years
Born as Garrick Finklea , Dragonetti grew up in Moss Point, MississippiMoss Point, Mississippi
Moss Point is a city, north of Pascagoula, in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 17,653 at the 2000 census.On August 29, 2005, Moss Point was hit by the strong east side of Hurricane Katrina, and much of Moss Point was flooded or destroyed .-Geography:Moss Point is...
, near his birthplace of Pascagoula
Pascagoula
The Pasacagoula were an indigenous group living in coastal Mississippi on the Pascagoula River....
.
Music career
In 1985, Dragonetti co-formed TMC Rock, patterned after Boogie Down ProductionsBoogie Down Productions
Boogie Down Productions was a hip hop group that was originally composed of KRS-One, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock. DJ Scott La Rock was murdered on August 27, 1987, months after the release of BDP's debut album, Criminal Minded. The name of the group, Boogie Down, derives from a nickname for the...
(BDP). Their first major show was opening for Kool Moe Dee
Kool Moe Dee
Mohandas Dewese , better known as Kool Moe Dee, is an American Hip Hop MC prominent in the late 1970s through the early 1990s. He was born in Manhattan, New York...
.
In 1992 in Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, Dragonetti (then known as G. Money) performed for the manager and co-owner of Total Sound Management, Inc. (TSM Records), Willie Easley, who signed Dragonetti to his first deal. Dragonetti and his label-mates appeared regularly on TSM's TV show Saturday Night Live at the Apollo (a spin-off of Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo is a syndicated music television show, first broadcast on September 12, 1987 to May 24, 2008 with 1093 episodes, and is produced by the Apollo Theater...
in New York), which aired Saturday nights on Blab TV. In 1995 he returned to Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, and with Joe Jones (aka Juke Jonz), created Soul Street Productions. The new production company would open for New Orleans bounce music artist Dj Jubilee of Take Fo Records.
Shortly thereafter, Dragonetti and Jonz were reportedly offered a deal with Blunt Recording/TVT Records
TVT Records
TVT Records was an independent US record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 25 year history the label released some 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Underworld, The KLF, Sevendust, Brian Jonestown Massacre and...
, which would have made Soul Street Production the second rap group in Mississippi's history to sign a major deal, they declined down the offer.
In 1996, Dragonetti met with producer/songwriter Bobby Reese, also from Pascagoula, who is credited with writing the song "Everlasting Love" for R&B act Tony Terry
Tony Terry
Tony Terry is an American soul/new jack swing singer from Washington, D.C., who had several R&B hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Singing:...
along with Terry Antonio Meguel.
Reese taught Dragonetti how to use a production system with the aid of computers. Dragonetti used the new technology to produce "Tru Playa 4 Life", featuring Tenishia Toussaint, with backups by Reese.
In 1997, Dragonetti created and launch TiTe Mic Records, later known as TiTeMic.com, In 1999 Tru Playa 4 Life would be featured on Variables02 released November 1999 by Loupimps Records (LPS), distributed by City Hall Records.
In 2001, Dragonetti wrote and produced the song “Art Of War" about 9/11, featuring rock guitarist Dean Weaver, and published by
TiTe Mic Music Group (BMI
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
).
Community Service
In the aftermath of Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, Dragonetti worked with Restoration Church (overseen by Pastor Elder James Moffett) and First Baptist Church of Moss Point passing out food and supplies
to people in need.
Discography
- "Varibles02" (1999) (Single "Tru Playa 4 Life") under the name Bishop
- "Chronicles of A Woman" (2007) (Album Production)
- "Stand Alone Complex" (2009)