Some people say that gospel music has gone too far. “Too far” implies there are boundaries to what gospel music is or should be. If that is the case, then Detroit-born ultracontemporary artist and pastor, Deitrick Haddon, has long bypassed them and has taken church to outer space.
“The limit is off! We done took the church to the moon!” he exclaims.
One of the most fashionable, eclectic, energetic and passionate artists to ever hit the gospel scene, Haddon recently released his new CD project, Church on the Moon, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Album chart.
“Every song means everything to me,” Haddon explained. “I was in such a creative space, in such a zone that they had to pull me out of the studio.” He said that he recorded 45 songs and was stopped by his staff and producers. “ ‘No more, Deitrick, no more,’ they told me.”
Church on the Moon, like the artist who created it, is different. Inspirational as well as futuristic, the music and the lyrics take you to another place for a while where you can forget your worries and be transported to a spiritual jam session with God.
Haddon, who is married to busy gospel artist Damita Haddon, has been the pastor of the second location of “the fastest growing church in Detroit,” the Kingdom Culture Church, for two years. His father, Bishop Clarence Haddon, pastors the first location, which is also where the younger Haddon began preaching at 11 and directing the choir at 13. He credits his involvement in the church for developing his talent, self-confidence and his ability to go before any type of audience fearlessly.
“Church folk will let you know if they don’t like something,” Haddon said, laughing. The close scrutiny only made him better.
In August, all systems are go for Haddon to begin a 33-city tour, which he promises will be “a crazy show that you can only get at a Dietrick Haddon concert.” He also has gotten into independent films with his hit, star-studded debut DVD Blessed & Cursed and upcoming film projects A Beautiful Soul and Woodward.
Haddon said that, although his style is unique, what qualifies him to be a gospel artist is his “realness.”
“Your love for people, your desire to build people’s lives, to encourage and motivate people and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ … that’s what qualifies you to sing gospel music,” he says.
If that’s the criteria, he’s qualified … hands down. –arnell pharr
To learn more, visit www.churchonthemoon.com with live-streaming and www.blessedandcursedthemovie.com and follow him by his name on Facebook and Twitter.
