Album Notes

Derek (D.R.) Payne is a native of Brooklyn, New York. This young gifted, singer, song writer, and producer has been on the music scene for many years. He comes from a family of singers and learned from some of the best in the world, namely his Uncles Hilton and Bernard Avery. In the early 70s his uncles would take him to sing on the corners of Bed/Stuy in Brooklyn New York. This is where he learned to fine-tune his musical ear and to harmonize. At the age of 15, he appeared at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem New York on (Show Time at the Apollo). He didn’t place but he received a great ovation from one of the toughest audiences in the world. D.R. came up in the era when Hip Hop music was birthed. At the age of 16 D.R. helped to create one of the first ever Hip Hop singing groups called The Funtasm Four M.C.’s. This is when he began to work on his directorial skills. He was the writer and director for most of the group’s singing routines. D.R. has performed in 100s of venues, and made a name and reputation for himself as a bonafided musician and performer. As an adult D.R. has opened up for Hezekiah Walker, The Williams Brothers, The Delfonics, Yvette Michelle, and Michael Speaks, he has also directed choirs and landed the leading role in a major production. D.R. Payne’s gifts and talents seem to be endless and there’s no limit to how much he will achieve in his lifetime. D.R. says “I give all of the glory and honor to God, who has freely given me the gifts and talents I possess. It is God that gives the power to get wealth, all I did was wake up, and the gifts were there, thank you God. I just want people to see a different side of music. That not only can music set the tone for a romantic evening, but it inspires you to grow. A song can not only put your child to sleep, but it can help them to learn. Music makes people feel good, by tapping into the very core of what makes you who you are. Put very simply music can change your life,it changed mine. I thank God for what He is doing with me through music and the arts. As a teacher and mentor I have learned that to help people on the level they’re on, you have to be an outside of the box thinker, and use different methods for teaching and sharing. I am willing to do whatever it takes to express Gods love for his people.”