The upcoming debut album slated for release from Fat Daddy Records, owned by film and television actress Yvette Wilson (ﾓThe Parkers,ﾔ ﾓMoesha,ﾔ ﾓPoetic Justice,ﾔ ﾓFridays,ﾔ ﾓDef Comedy Jam,ﾔ) and her husband, Jerome Harry, will be the debut album for Oakland rapper, Habitt. Titled ﾓTalk Of The Townﾔ, the album will be in stores on February 22. Prior to its release, the disc has already been hailed as ﾓthe best album from the Left Coast this yearﾔ by the venerated radio industry trade magazine, ﾓUrban Network.ﾔ The album features tracks produced by the Elements, who have also produced releases from the Black Eyed Peas, the Wu Tang Clan, Pete Rock (featuring CL Smooth), Will Smith and Mariah Carey. The Luniz and Knock-TurnﾒAl also contributed to it.
Born as Sean Johnson, Habitt has lived in Los Angeles for the last six years, although he was raised in the Bay Area. Habitt confirms, ﾓI get all my game from Oakland, it never left me, no matter where I went,ﾔ he says. ﾓI still have that Oakland vibe to me. Iﾒll always have Oakland in my blood. Itﾒs not like I sound like an Oakland rapper, but thatﾒs the place that inspired me.ﾔ At the age of ten, he found his first love, rapping.
When Habitt left Oakland, he was blessed with a dollar for his dynamic desire to go after his fate. He packed his lyrics and moved to Los Angeles. Although he struggled working for only minimum wage, he never lost sight of his gift and why he relocated, setting his eyes on the prize, in hopes of being able to rap for a living. His patience and never-ending drive placed him with a job as a production assistant on the ﾓUPNﾔ show, ﾓThe Parkers.ﾔ He began to share his rap ambitions with anyone who would listen. At last, Yvette Wilson, one of the show’s stars, became fascinated by Habitt’s energetic drive and persistence, along with his rapping skills. She made a decision to give him that same chance she once had at the beginning of own her successful career. She took him to a studio where he was to unexpectedly perform for some professionals in the industry. Habitt overtook his audience, which responded in sincere applause. There would soon come the opportunity of a lifetime to literally make or break it.
Habitt didnﾒt know it yet, but Yvette Wilson was contemplating forming a record label with her husband, Jerome Harry, who worked in the music business. The couple gave Habitt an assignment. He would have to go on NBC’s Showtime At The Apollo, and survive. If Habitt was to make surviving success with an often hard to please New York audience, they assured him he would be signed. His trip to the East Coastﾒs beastly stage of the Apollo was another phenomenal success. As a result, Habitt is now slated to be the first artist that will be released by Fat Daddy Records, the company formed by Wilson and Harry.
Although it may sound like a fairy tale ending, life was often quite difficult for Habitt. Tragedy came early, when he was only five years old, and his father died. Habitt, who often had a hard time dealing with the loss, eventually developed a few bad habits, due to the uncertain of the direction of his life. Habitt concedes, ﾓI finally moved to L.A. because I was doing some things I shouldnﾒt have, and I had an opportunity to leave. I got shot at the age of 17, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was in the hospital and
almost died. I am so blessed to be here, as I almost didnﾒt make it. That really woke me up.ﾔ
Habitt learned a lot about having game from his uncles, especially Mark Curry, who like Yvette Wilson, is also a comic. Curry is briefly heard on the album, and Habitt explains, ﾓIt really means a lot to me.ﾔ Habitt often used humor as a way to pull through the hard times, and says that Curry has long been one of his inspirations. Family members always supported his talents, especially his mother. ﾓShe raised me well, and had a lot on her hands, being a single mother.ﾔ
Habitt expresses much of his personal life in his music, particularly in the track, ﾓStreet Life.ﾔ Habitt confesses, ﾓThat song gives me chills because I dug deep into things that have happened in my life. A lot of my close friends have passed away, and I felt if I stayed in Oakland, the same thing could happen to me.ﾔ
Habitt believes that part of being the best person he can be includes having as much game as possible, hence the song, ﾓStrictly Game.ﾔ He explains his philosophy by saying, ﾓIt all came from Oakland where I got my game. Itﾒs entirely about your game, and it will come if youﾒre doing a good job at whatever it is youﾒre doing. But without game, you canﾒt have anything in life.ﾔ
The song ﾓLessonﾔ is about regret, and it reveals the secret to having a successful relationship with a female. ﾓThereﾒs no I in we,ﾔ the song observes, as it spills its guts. Habitt says, ﾓA lot of guys wonﾒt come forward and admit they were wrong in a relationship. But as far as my album goes, this is real life; this is not a gimmick. Therefore, this song is very real and personal. Itﾒs like my confessions. I wanted to do something for the ladies so they know that guys have feelings, too. The guys who listen to it, theyﾒll know itﾒs real. I put all my issues Iﾒve had with girls in there. Iﾒve broken a lot of hearts, and had my heart broken, too.ﾔ
Ultimately, there is a lot more to be heard on Habittﾒs album, and people will definitely relate to what is being said as they bob their heads. No doubt, listening to this CD is destined to become a Habitt.
