MP3 The Prodigal Son - Home Where I Belong

GOSPEL, R&B, AND JAZZ INSPIRED CHRISTIAN RAP MUSIC CALLED, "POETIC PREACHIN"

12 MP3 Songs
HIP HOP/RAP: Spiritual Rap, GOSPEL: Contemporary Gospel



Details:
Derek Hooten was born on September 18, 1971 in Cincinnati, Ohio. At a very young age, his father introduced him to the world of music. Derek shocked his parents with his musical abilities when he began playing various songs that he taught himself on a recorder instrument at the age of four. Recognizing his musical talents, his parents rented a clarinet that he played in the grade school band for several years. After mastering the clarinet, he then persuaded his parents to rent an alto saxophone when he was in the 6th grade. He sat first seat in band playing the alto saxophone throughout junior high and high school. Also, a lover of percussion, he played the drums and xylophone occasionally in the high school marching band.
After graduating from high school, Derek acquired a love for writing lyrics in the form of poetry and rap music. Motivated by his older brother Chuck, he learned the basics of studio recording and live performances. A close friend introduced him to a hip-hop producer named Brad who immediately recognized Derekâs skills and talent. Along with a couple of other artists that Brad produced, they formed a hip-hop group called Underground Source. With this group, Derek, whose alias was D-luxe, released an L.P. entitled âDonât Be Deceivedâ. Without distribution, the group sold several copies themselves locally, by hand and by record store consignment.
Due to personal circumstances, the members of Underground Source dispersed to different areas in the city. While attending school and sometimes working two jobs, Derek and two other members from Underground Source continued to pursue their dreams of success in hip-hop music. They formed a new group called The Derelics. Without a producer, Derek and his brother Chuck saved money to purchase their first piece of equipment, a keyboard/sampler sequencer. Derek would stay up for hours mastering the equipment and creating musical tracks for the group to rap to. Through hard work and determination, their group obtained notoriety in the Cincinnati area through performances and competitions. Along the way, he continued to save money to purchase more musical equipment to perfect his sound. Derek produced several demos with his group; however, with the lack of outlets and funds to compete with the hip-hop groups in the industry, the unique sound of the group usually fell on deaf ears. This began to take a toll on the group. The Derelics broke up after seven years together, due to creative differences. Frustrated at what was taking place in his life musically, Derek took a break from his music to reflect upon himself.
While producing and writing on occasion, Derek began spending more time reading the Bible and praying. He was baptized and had accepted Christ in his life at 8 years old. He never forgot about his background of attending church regularly and his motherâs religious ways of raising he and his siblings. However, years of performing secular music and hanging with the wrong crowd had taken its toll on his life. One day, while struggling with what direction to take his music, he was watching a musical performance on a television show. It featured a Christian Rap group called âThe Cross Movementâ. Derek was amazed at how inspiring and talented the group was. Days later while praying, the Holy Spirit told him, âNow can you see what I gave you this talent for?â Derek rededicated his life back to Christ. For the last six years it has become his hearts desire to please God and use his talents for the sole purpose of bringing people closer to Him. Derek who now goes by the name, âThe Prodigal Sonâ, has written, produced, performed, and recorded many songs in his home studio. He has also been performing his Christian rap songs for many various outreach ministries and churches. Several of his songs are enclosed with this biography. With his music, Derekâs dreams and goals are to bring lost souls to Jesus Christ and to receive a recording deal from a record label with the ability to help further spread his music ministry.