Derrick “J.O.D” Washington was born in Columbia, South Carolina. “J.O.D.” is emerging as a fixture in Hip Hop scene, growing ever so much in the Dirty South! After graduating and establishing himself as a master barber, J.O.D infused himself into the music industry! His love for music and the entertainment industry sparked from there! J.O.D credits his upbringing and several artists in helping establish himself as an artist! J.O.D. grew up in a single parent household and encountered violence, struggle and other perils that youth deal with today.
He stays true to his “Dreams turns to goals; goals turn into reality”. J.O.D.’s music and writing is grounded in reality. J.O.D. credits the late Tupac Shakur for awakening his musical curiosity and has been equally inspired by several other major artists. As an songwriter, artist, and composer, J.O.D. has performed in numerous venues, programs and talent showcases throughout the southeast.
J.O.D has been identified as an artist to watch in music articles for Niche Magazine and the Metro Weekly in Columbia, South Carolina. He has been featured on the popular syndicated weekly South Carolina based radio show “On Point with Cynthia Hardy”; speaking on the influence of Rap and Hip Hop with today’s urban youth. J.O.D. produced and released his first project entitled “Married 2 Da Game Vol 1” in 2008 featuring the hits “When I Hustle” and “Candyrain”. J.O.D.’s current project is “MTM-The Album”. He currently has the smash hit “Rise Up” on iTunes, Google Play, Title, YouTube, and Soundcloud media outlets.
He compliments his passion for music with mentorship. He started his mentorship programs at his alma mater, Eau Claire High School, nearly 10 years ago. Currently, J.O.D. continues mentorship at Georgia State University through the Early College Program specifically targeting inner city youth in Atlanta, Georgia. In his native city, Columbia, South Carolina, he has performed in several middle schools for mentorship and outreach through the YMCA after school programs. J.O.D. is a pillar in the community and focuses on empowerment with youth of all walks of life!
For the past 2 years, MTM partnered with Georgia State University’s Early College Program. The MTM organization specifically emphasized students to strengthen mindset, set goals and graduate! The sessions featured guest speakers, hands-on-goal setting activities, and post-school opportunities. The focus of the mentorship program is infusing education in to Hip Hop. The 90 minute sessions included 2 main topics highlighting the expectations of Hip Hop and how education will better prepare them.
J.O.D. conducted sessions in 2 phases: the literature of Hip Hop and what Hip Hop expects from the artist. From the onset, graduation is made priority and a direct goal. Without education, understanding literature and future entertainment aspects will be difficult. Specific areas of literature involve the ability to read and understand contracts and literature in the entertainment industry. Students were given sample contracts and specific words were highlighted and expanded on. Additionally, J.O.D. exposed students on how to write and compose music using the Yamaha Motif Digital Sound System.
J.O.D. uses guest speakers to illustrate how education can propel any career in addition to the entertainment industry while emphasizing timely graduation.
Next, J.O.D. instructs students on how to keep healthy mindsets and what Hip Hop expects from artists. Mindset is everything. J.O.D. uses personal experiences and conceptual models to emphasize mindset.
In 2017, J.O.D. will be hitting the road to promote positivity in hip hop culture with the Holistic HipHop Collective's Hip Hop Can Unite Us Workshop & Performance tour. The tour's intent is to empower college aged participants at HBCUs and universities throughout the United States. He will be conducting a workshop focused on the importance of education and its relationship to hip hop and its industry. Learn more about his workshop and the tour at: http://www.holistichiphopcollective.com/jod-derrick-washington---education--empowerment-through-hiphop.html