About Damita Haddon

Damita Haddon has been on the gospel recording scene for over a decade. Although many know her from her Stellar Award winning work with the Voices of Unity and from singing with her husband, Deitrick Haddon, she is a force to be reckoned with and highly respected in gospel.

Damita grew up in the epicenter of music – Detroit, Michigan – where both mainstream and gospel music flourished. Though she grew up in a religious home where the only type of music allowed was Gospel and classical, Damita’s musical sensibilities were formed. “We were a musical family, Damita said. “Really it was just church and music but I remember running around the house with my twin sister, picking up brushes and combs singing into them when my mom would play a record.”

Damita got her break as a professional artist when her and her sister got invited to  sing at the president of TM Records’ birthday party.  Immediately after they sang they were asked if interested in signing a deal and recording on his label and within a couple of months we were in the studio. Their first release was Time Is Running Out (1992).  Damita went on to pursue a solo career and released her self-titled debut in 2000 and No Looking Back in 2008.

No Looking Back contains vocals and production to rival anything on mainstream radio today coupled with foundational Gospel messages.  Her fresh sound shines through and her messages are expressed through everyday language, contemporary production and amazing vocals.

No Looking Back is a complete blend of gospel, R&B and pop that Damita describes as universal and primed to reach people beyond the four walls of the church. Damita sought the talents of her brother-in-law; singer, songwriter, producer and member of Stellar Award-nominated group The Soul Seekers; Gerald Haddon. “Gerald and I produced the majority of this record...I went to work with him in LA for about three months and we wrote the majority of the project along with his wife Tammi.”

From its urban inspirational, urban contemporary, praise & worship and rock sounds, to its Caribbean beats, No Looking Back is decidedly youth inspired. Damita explained, “I went a little more youthful on this release because I think that our young people really need this right now. We really need to get their attention. They are faced with so much temptation and if we don’t do something that makes them feel special, that moves and motivates them, somebody else will.”

Damita penned the enormous stand out title track and radio single, "No Looking Back." The pop-infused track is beautifully simple and Damita’s vocals are brilliant.  “I wrote it while sitting at home alone and the inspiration for it came from everything that had happened in my life between the releases of the first solo record until now,” Damita said. “It includes family situations, personal issues and physical issues. And I said, ‘Lord, between everything that I’ve been through from then up until now, it’s going to be no looking back for me – that’s why we named the record No Looking Back. I’m forgetting those things which are behind me and moving forward. I’m not going back to depression or problems. This time I choose to be happy and to succeed in life.”

No Looking Back exhibits great range with the Praise and Worship songs “I Will Trust” and “Great God” and the rock-edged “Crossing Over.” “Great God” was co-written by Damita and inspired by Hillsong, ushers the listener into the presence of God with simple lyrics of praise and adoration. While vocally on “I Will Trust” Damita’s subtleness confirms her strength and versatility as an artist. The rock-tinged “Crossing Over” tells of a life in turmoil that has reached a breaking point and has no other choice but to surrender to God.  With plans for a clothing line, a return of 85 South, the Word Network TV show she co-hosts and the release of No Looking Back, Damita is poised for success and from this point on there is no looking back!

Some of Damita's musical influences include The Clark Sisters, Rance Allen, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Sting, Celine Dion, Cold Play, and The Winans.