WHO’Z HOT N DA STREETZ
“Motown’s Renaissance Man: MOE NITTY”
By Moe Nitty
The two most common questions I hear these days are, “How’d you do that?” and “What do you do?”. Seeing how I’m always willing to share any acquired knowledge with anyone willing to listen, the first question is usually easy to answer. But when asked, “What do you do?”, I often find myself stuttering. Because of the many hats I wear in this entertainment business my answer to the second question can tend to be lengthy. Aside from bringing my readers this weekly column, I also perform as a rap artist, promote and book aspiring acts as a show promoter, and distribute promotional items for other artists. I guess you could say I do everything!
A native of Highland Park, MI., I was raised on the eastside of Detroit. Shortly after graduating from Detroit’s Pershing High School in 1993 I began attending college, studying Business Administration and Psychology. My time in college was shortened as I dropped out upon being hired to work for Chrysler. Chrysler as a company was doing quite well and the money was plentiful. With my new found fortune I started Posi-Nega Publishing and Nitty Tight Records, forming and financially backing my first group, 313 Affiliation. 313 Affiliation went on to release two cds, “State Of Confusion” in 2000 and “People’s Sh*t Exposed” in 2001. To compliment the cds, I also wrote, published and released two poetry books titled State Of Confusion(2000) and What’s Your Paranoia(2001). By 2002, 313 Affiliation was disbanded leaving me to work as a solo artist. In 2003 I composed, recorded and released my first solo project, "Small Time Hustler, Big Time Dreams". With money made from my music ventures, I opened a small recording studio, DEMOS R' US, in Eastpointe, MI which I successfully funded and ran for over 2 years. In early 2005, I released yet another solo project, "Sumbody Stop Me Befo' I Offend Sumbody". By 2006, I co-founded the DeCor Music Group and created the movement which gave life to the music group, Da C.O.R.E. In 2008, my latest solo effort “RATED M: Chronicles Of A Scorpio” was released and quickly drew acclaim. The hit single from the Rated M cd, Better Than Yo’ Baby Daddy, still remains a crowd-pleaser in heavy demand. Tired of playing politics with local promoters to perform, I started S.L.A.M. Nights (support local artists music) in 2006, a series of showcases at different venues. The shows went well right from the start so I began booking even more showcases at even more venues.
Over the years I’ve had albums distributed in many record stores locally (Pearl’s Music, Record Times, Tonya’s), some which no longer exist (Sam Goodys, Wherehouse Music, Harmony House), as well as many regional retail music stores (Sound Asylum in OH., 720 Records in PA.). I’ve held radio interviews at University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Warren Cousino High School, Eastern Michigan University as well as The Michigan Chronicle, Real Detroit, and The Detroit Record newspaper to name a few. As a rapper I’ve performed vigorously throughout the Midwest. Betty’s Blue Star Lounge in Chicago, The Shadow Lounge in Pittsburgh, and both The Ice Ultra Lounge and Spin Nightclub in Indianapolis have all played host to a ‘Moe Nitty’ performance.
Recently someone asked me how I got a weekly column in The Michigan FrontPage. I wish I could say the decision was based on all my accomplishments. But to be honest, I simply asked.
(You can reach Moe Nitty at myspace.com/mrmoenitty or moenitty1@aol.com)