Grammy and ASCAP award-winning, producer, songwriter, and author Carvin Haggins is the man behind the music we’ve loved and sung along to. We were lucky to have had an opportunity to chat with him during a rare quiet moment.
A man of faith
Haggins is a man of tremendous faith, and he acknowledges that the awards, nominations, success, and accolades he has received are a result of allowing God to work in his life. He admittedly is tone deaf, does not play instruments, and does not sing, yet he is a gifted songwriter.
“I like to think of it as though I am speaking in tongues and the artist is able to translate that message into a song or a hit record,” he says, adding that he is always in awe of an artist’s ability to bring his vision to life.
The Whisper: From the playground to Philly
They say that God often speaks in a whisper; it’s the gentle nudge that makes you move. Though he spent time on the playground mimicking Kool & the Gang with his friends, on his 12th birthday when his mom asked whether he wanted a scooter or to move to Philadelphia, he responded, “Philly.” It is as if there was an inner knowing, an inkling that something great was in store and would come to fruition if he could relocate. Even at this early age, God was leading him, although he wasn’t able to articulate what God was saying, he just felt that moving to Philadelphia would be an opportunity he wouldn’t regret.
Louder Voice: Setting the foundation
The next voice is the one that leads you to the destined path. A teenage Haggins attending Martin Luther King Jr. High School was a member of the group Crusaders of Base, writing raps and performing. The talented group began working with TLife, where Haggins learned how to create beats and write music. Later, he began creating intro songs for Q102 DJs with Up and Up Productions out of New Jersey. A pivotal break came when he worked with DJ Jazzy Jeff’s production company, A Touch of Jazz. During this opportunity, Haggins met Ivan Barias, creating a pairing that would soon take the music world by storm.
Music is the bookmark of your life
Then there is confirmation that you heard Him correctly. Neo soul—full stop. When you think of the neo soul era, you think of a soulful voice over a hip hop beat. You think of a story that is told through lyrics; you think of Musiq Soulchild or Jill Scott. Maybe you visualize “Love Jones” and can remember songs from the soundtrack; you think Raheem DeVaughn—just know Haggins was behind all of it.
He believes songs should remind you of a feeling, a moment in your life that merely hearing about in a song brings you back to. Songs can be powerful when carefully orchestrated, capturing a pivotal moment in your life or speaking to a global cause.
Raging against the radio
There are tests along the way. Haggins also believes radio stations should be responsible when sharing music. While music lovers are able to find music easily online today, just a few short years ago, the radio was the source of discovering new songs. Many would tune in to their local stations to hear the newest song or be introduced to an up and comer. Haggins noticed differences in the way songs were shared with various segments of the listening population.
He launched “Rage Against the Ratchet” to voice his concern of the discrepancy of urban and pop radio stations. Though he is still pushing for responsible, “child friendly” radio, it is no longer a “rage” but a March for Peace.
The magic of the music
God will give you peace. Haggins doesn’t listen to music at home. His home is his haven where he unwinds and relaxes. He turns off producer and songwriter mode once he enters his home. In fact, he only allows himself to be creative in the studio.
Oftentimes he creates songs in real time during a studio session with an artist. A casual moment of hanging out and having a conversation is exactly what Haggins needs to create a song. He crafts a song that is true to the artist and their vernacular. It’s this ability to connect intimately with an artist that has garnered so many memorable lyrics and hit records.
“The Ring” of success
Better and better by and by. Haggins is now working with a conglomerate of musical talents including producers, arrangers, artists, and songwriters called “the Ring.” The Ring is poised to be the next big musical movement. Such a powerhouse of talent in close proximity to one another is bound to have an impact not seen in the music industry for many years.
The current state of our nation and the ever-changing news cycles worldwide scream for songs that share our collective thoughts. We need powerful voices unafraid of what the “industry” says to once again become the songs that will bookmark our lives.
Haggins believes he can be part of this next story of songs. These will be the songs we listen to 10 or 20 years from now and remember.
The bookmarking could possibly begin by taking time to listen to artist J. Brown’s “Chapter & Verse” and Mumu Fresh’s “Queen of Culture.”
