There’s nothing like speaking with someone who is passionate about their craft and promoting positivity. Family, I have met that individual. I had an in-depth conversation with Mr. Carvin Haggins, half of the successful duo from Karma Productions(with Ivan Barias being the other half). They have worked with artists such as: Musiq SoulChild, Jill Scott, Justin Timberlake just to name a few. Yet, there’s more to him than meets the eye. Haggins is also the founder for the anti-misogynistic movement, “Rage Against The Ratchet.” He is an inspiration and an unequivocal force within the music industry, and someone who is making a difference toward getting quality music heard on the air.
AD: Hello, Mr. Haggins.
CH: Hello, how are you?
AD: Outstanding!! First, thank you so very much for speaking with me today.
CH: Thank you for having me, actually.
AD: Well, I must tell you honestly, the first time I received word about you is from an interview I conducted with Ms. Helen Scott (from The 3 Degrees). She stated she and the group will be working with you on a future project. So, I took it upon myself to do some additional research about you. And, let me tell you, I am extremely in awe of your work; especially with the artists that I’m very fond of and are currently on my iPod.
CH: Wow! Thank you very much.
AD: I have SO much I want to talk to you about; that I don’t know where to begin. May I start by asking you to provide us with the brief story about yourself? What was your journey from the beginning to now?
CH: Wow, you asked me to start from the beginning to now; that’s going to be at least a five-day conversation right there. (Both of us laughing). Ok, I was born in Philadelphia and then moved to Savannah, GA when I was three. I lived in Savannah, GA until I was 12 years old, and then returned to Philadelphia. My fascination with music started in Savannah, just listening to the radio, and just being overwhelmed with the records I would play. It was to the point where my mom would put me to sleep at night, and when she would leave out of the room, I would sneak and turn the radio on and listen to it until about around 4:00am in the morning. I’m listening to music I probably shouldn’t have been listening to, but it was so thought provoking and heartfelt. So, as a child, I’m talking about seven or eight years old, that’s how music affected me in such a powerful way.
AD: Wow! You know what I’m genuinely impressed with – is that as a child (at an early age), you knew what you wanted to do. I mean you started rapping and dabbling into music early. That is very cool.
CH: You know what’s funny is when I used to live in Savannah right, we used to live in the projects called Fred Russell. One of my friends, my cousin, and myself would wait until my friend’s mom went to work, and since his house faced the playground, we would go onto his porch with a boom box, and we would perform just like Morris Day and The Time, Prince, and Kool and The Gang. So, we would be performing, you know while people were playing basketball and such, and before you know it, people would stop what they were doing to watch us perform. So, I knew right then I wanted to be a singer.
AD: Wow!
CH: Yeah, I would sing Michael Jackson songs, Morris’ songs, but eventually my voice changed and singing was over. (Both of us laughing). I couldn’t hit those notes anymore. Then I was introduced to hip hop through Scorpio & Soul Sonic Force, “Planet Rock,” and all of those great records. So, when I moved to Philly, I had determined I wanted to be a rapper; therefore, I studied the craft of rap.
AD: I hear you. We both share the same passion for music. However, my story isn’t as great as yours. My love for music came from doing all of the Saturday chores with my mother. She would have artists like Curtis Mayfield, Walter Hawkins, Donny Hathaway playing in the background. From that point on, I just fell in love with it. So, having the opportunity to speak with someone as successful as yourself, is a real blessing for me. What made you want to write for/work with such fantastic artists like Jill Scott, Jazzy Jeff? How did this all begin for you?
CH: You know what’s funny? I never really actually thought I’d be a writer. What happened was, I used to work for a company called Up & Up Productions. We used to produce commercials for Power 99 and the local radio stations. After we did that, I met Jazzy Jeff, and we kind of connected. He knew then what he was trying to do. I was trying to merge Up & Up Productions with [Jazzy Jeff’s production team] Touch of Jazz. We kind of started that scene. What happened was Jeff was putting together this entire crew of about 15. So, we sat around this table, and everybody was like “I’m a musician” or “I play in the church,” and I think I’m qualified to be a part of this team of “I’m a singer and I’ve been in the game for years…” Then, it was my turn, and I was like “ I don’t sing, and I don’t know how to write, but if you give me the opportunity, I’m sure I can figure it out.” So, he gave me the opportunity, and once it was given to me, I took the time to study from rappers to songs in 16 bars. The writing is different in songs as for verses. So, trying to learn how to condense 16 bars into 8 bars was [something]. I studied Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Quincy Jones, Lionel Ritchie and so on as to how they would write a song. That’s what I tried to do, and within that, I tried to develop the writing technique through trial and error. After many attempts, I found my “voice”.
AD: Once that was perfected and with many steps in between, is that when you and your producing partner, Ivan Barias, decided to establish Karma Productions?
CH: What happened was being with a Touch of Jazz, we all fit: Andre’ Harris, Vidal Davis, Keith Pelzer, Ivan Barias, and myself. Collectively, we all worked together on various projects. Projects would always fall to person to person. Ivan was the one that was never really at the studio, because he lived so far away, and he was working a job. So, when he would create stuff, it was mostly at the times when no one was at the studio. So, he hardly was able to shop his material to the artists. When I arrived, I would go through his music and when I would find something, I would write to it. Thereafter, I made a promise to him: “you know you’re not here, but I want to take your music and I promise you I’m going to get you a project.” So, finally while working with Musiq and creating music, I looked through Ivan’s collection and found music for Musiq SoulChild and started writing those tracks and created the record that was created for Musiq. From that combination, it was like magic. His music is hip hop, R&B, and I’m still a rapper trying to write R&B. So, the melodies I would come up with worked perfectly for what he was doing. We knew it was the perfect fit; so once we decided to leave Jazzy Jeff’s company, we kind of paired off in twos, with the end result of Ivan and myself working together and establishing Karma Productions.
AD: That’s awesome. How is it that you being a parent, a minister, teach Sunday school, on the Board of Directors of the Community Angel Foundation, and broadcast on an online radio station, WEME radio? Do you have a twin? How do you manage to do everything successfully?
CH: Well, you can’t sleep, and I don’t sleep much.
AD: I can see that. However, even with all of your responsibilities, you still manage to give back; which I’m sure you had to make some sacrifices. Now in addition to the many hats you wear, do please explain your most recent endeavor, “Rage Against the Ratchet.” What is it? How was it conceptualized?
CH: Well, you know it’s funny. It started with me seeing a concert with a new artist, and everything was disrespectful, demoralizing, and demeaning. I felt someone needed to do something. It kind of evolved to the point where I heard the voice of God saying, “Yeah you gotta do something.” So, with that being said, I did what I was told to do what needed to be done. When God tells you to do something, then you do it. You’ll see the success in it just by doing it, you know.
AD: I just love how you’re putting your belief in God and your Christianity in the forefront of your career in order to get your message heard. This is more than likely why all of your endeavors are flourishing so much. You’re acknowledging the fact that you know where your blessings come from.
CH: You know I would be doing myself a disservice to claim all of the glory, like I’m doing it all. To be able to work in this capacity and do what I do, it would be idiotic of me to say “yeah, I do this.” No, I don’t. It’s just that when I hear what I hear, I listen to what I hear, and I speak what I hear, and well…that’s it.
AD: I agree 115% with you!! Nothing, but the Lord’s hand is on all of our endeavors!! You know I don’t know you, but I could give you the biggest hug right now. Look you just let me know as to how I can further assist you with your “Rage Against The Ratchet” movement. I’m so serious.
CH: Ok, thank you.
AD: Tell me, how was your recent “Rage Against The Ratchet” event this past June?
CH: Like I said on the PSA, on June 7th, I really planned on being out there by myself. But, when I arrived, there were already people there! I was like “Whoa, you all beat me here!” It was approximately about 125 people there. It was crazy because the amount of men that were there. It was great because whenever you make a call like this, most women will come out and support and most men don’t show up. There were men in attendance what seemed to be from every generation. People care about our community. I mean heard people saying “What you’re doing isn’t going to mean anything” – the doubters. This event was about bringing a community together and standing up for what is right.
AD: Will we see this movement occurring across the country?
CH: Well, on September 3rd we will be in Delaware WKJS – 101.7 FM 11:30am – 2:00pm. Right now that’s the only station we’re doing. However, we’re going to have a campaign for listeners to call in to the radio stations and complain about the degrading music (against women) currently being played. In Chicago, there will be something done [that will reach] nationally. In North Carolina, there will be something happening. In California, there will be something happening. We teamed up with a lot of organizations for this movement, and we’re going to Congress and have a Congressional hearing because we have to attack this in a very strategic way. We’re just trying to be effective and be smart about how we move to make sure that change takes place, you know.
AD: How can entertainment writers such as myself or anyone else get involved with this cause?
CH: Right now we’re asking people to sign the petition at
https://www.Rageagainsttheratchet.com. We’re also asking people to go to the FCC web site and file a complaint with the FCC. The more complaints they get, they can become more active in pursuing the issues and handling the issues. Right now no one is complaining – so that’s it.
AD: Considerate it done! I just love, love, love speaking with you today. This has been such an honor.
CH: It was a pleasure and an honor to speak with you too. Thank you for taking the time out to interview me today.
AD: WHAT?! It’s my honor and thank you so very much! God Bless!
Family to learn more about this movement, check out the PSA on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wugrx761m7A
Also:
. Sign our #Rageagainsttheratchet Petition via change.org and/or on our website: www.rageagainsttheratchet.com
. Contact your local radio station by calling the station’s request line demanding change in what they are currently playing on air.
. Contact the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and issue a consumer complaint: https://www.fcc.gov/complaints
. Spread the word about our movement via social media:
Facebook Fanpage: Facebook.com/RageAgainstTheRatchet
Twitter: @againstratchet
Instagram: @rageagainsttheratchet
YouTube: YouTube.com/AgainstRatchet
Let’s continue to push for songs with positive messages to be played over the airwaves. We can’t afford to lose our children to glamorized negative song creation.