Damien Dragonetti
Damien Dragonetti (b. October 30, 1971), is an American rapper/producer. He is best known for his feature on “Variable02”(1999) creating TiTe Mic Corporation, and producing the album, "Chronicles Of A Woman", a 2007 album by female rapper Madawm, which features superstars Eminem and Xzibit.
Early years
Born as Garrick Finklea, Damien Dragonetti grew up in Moss Point, Mississippi, near his birthplace of Pascagoula.
Career
Music career
In 1985 Damien co-Romeo Rock and his DJ Trench, and form the group TMC Rock. The group patterned themselves after Boogie Down Productions(BDP). Their first major show was to open for legendary rapper/actor Kool Moe Dee.
In 1992 in Pensacola, Florida, Damien (then known as G. Money, performed for the manager and co-owner of Total Sound Management, Inc. (TSM Records), Willie Easley. Easley signed Damien to his first deal. Damien and his label mates appeared regularly on TSM's TV show "Saturday night Live at the Apollo" (a spin-off of “Showtime at the Apollo” in New York), aired Saturday nights on Blab TV. Just 4 months after signing with the label, Dragonetti became an Office manager and head hip hop producer for the label.
In 1995 he returned to Mississippi, and with Joe Jones (aka Juke Jonz), created Soul Street Productions. The new production company would open for New Orleans bounce music artist Dj Jubilee of Take Fo Records. Shortly thereafter Dragonetti and Jonz were offered a deal with Blunt Recording/TVT Records, which would have made Soul Street Production the second rap group in Mississippi's history to sign a major deal, but the group declined down the offer.
In 1996 Damien met with producer/songwriter Bobby Reese, also from Pascagoula who is credited with writing the song "Everlasting Love" for R&B act Tony Terry along with Terry Antonio Meguel. Reese taught Damien the importance of the music business and how to use a production system with the aid of computers. Dame used the new technology to produce "Tru Playa 4 Life",featuring Tenishia Toussaint, with backups by Reese.
In 1997 Damien created and launch TiTe Mic Records, later known as TiTeMic.com,In 1999 Tru Playa 4 Life would be featured on Variables02released November of 1999 by Loupimps Records (LPS), distributed by City Hall Records.
In 2001 Dame wrote and produced the song “Art Of War" about 9/11 Featuring Rock guitarist Dean Weaver, Published by TiTe Mic Music Group(BMI) the record was given away on Soundclick.com
Community Service
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Dragonetti worked with Restoration Church (overseen by Pastor Elder James Moffett) and First Baptist Church of Moss Point passing out food and supplies to people in need.
Discography
- "Varibles02" (1999) (Single "Tru Playa 4 Life") under the name Bishop
- "Chronicles of A Woman" (2007) (Album Production)
- "Stand Alone Complex" (2009)