Martel
Flint, Michigan, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Flint senior Darryl “Martel” Hardy performed at the Lyricist’s Lounge on Sept. 20 in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. Hardy played his song “Meet Me Afte" SRC="http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper906/thumbs/t_45208ba11eedc-66-2.jpg" target=new>
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Flint senior Darryl “Martel” Hardy performed at the Lyricist’s Lounge on Sept. 20 in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. Hardy played his song “Meet Me Afte
[Click to enlarge]
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Darryl “Martel” Hardy, a Flint senior, creates his own music and serves as a producer for several Flint-based bands.
" SRC="http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper906/thumbs/t_45208ba11eedc-30-3.jpg" target=new>
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Darryl “Martel” Hardy, a Flint senior, creates his own music and serves as a producer for several Flint-based bands.
[Click to enlarge]
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Flint senior Darryl “Martel” Hardy juggles studies, work and being a musician and a producer. “It’s always a conflict, when you gotta do school but then you try a" SRC="http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper906/thumbs/t_45208ba11eedc-81-1.jpg" target=new>
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Flint senior Darryl “Martel” Hardy juggles studies, work and being a musician and a producer. “It’s always a conflict, when you gotta do school but then you try a
[Click to enlarge]
American Idol producers told Darryl “Martel” Hardy he was too hip-hop.
But the Flint senior and sports management major could care less.
“I’ve been hip-hop my whole life,” Hardy said.
Hardy is a hip-hop and R&B artist and produces for Flint-based bands. He performed during Lyricist’s Lounge Sept. 20 in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium during Hip Hop Weekend.
Music has surrounded Hardy from a young age, he said.
“I’ve been around music since I can remember,” Hardy said. “It’s in my blood.”
Hardy said his father was his inspiration for starting his career in music.
Darryl Hardy Sr. owned a recording studio in the basement of their home. Hardy said there always were people coming in and out of the studio and there always was music playing.
When he started college, Hardy competed and won numerous talent shows and competitions, but he said he wanted something fresh.
“I was sick of singing lyrics from different artists,” Hardy said. “I decided to work on my own stuff. I wanted to sing original material that I wrote.”
When he began writing his own material, Hardy said he realized there was other talent on campus. He lived in Wheeler Hall a few doors down from CMU alumnus Brian Pitts Jr., who now is Hardy’s personal manager.
Pitts said when he met Hardy, he knew the two would make music.
“We started making music, and it became sort of a competition,” Pitts said. “He would run down the hall and have me listen to his stuff, and I’d do the same. He had instrumentation and background and flow. We became brothers.”
The link
Listen to Darryl “Martel” Hardy at his Web site, myspace.com/martelsmusic
Hardy said his music can’t be labeled under one genre. The music flows between the soft sounds of R&B and the upbeat style of hip-hop, he said.
Detroit senior Myron “Dex” Shorter II said Hardy’s style has a John Legend feel.
“He can sing all types of genres in music, which is what makes his music so original,” Shorter said.
Pitts said Hardy’s songs are based on his real-life experiences.
“His music actually comes from the heart,” Pitt said. “It’s something that the music industry is lacking. That’s why his sounds are so unique. Rap is constant negativity. Martel is bringing romance and love.”
CMU alumnus Michael Morgan, also known as “Slim Jackson,” currently is produced under Hardy and Best Kept Records, Hardy’s production company.
Morgan said he respects Hardy’s abilities.
“Producing is a gradual process to perfection,” Morgan said. “And he’s the best.”
Hardy said inmates have called into Flint radio stations from jail to request some of the bands he produces.
Instances such as that make him realize his music is good, Hardy said, and means people really do like the music he produces.
Pitt said the majority of Hardy’s fans are at CMU, which is where he plans to release his album “Finally” this spring.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if his popularity shot up throughout next summer,” Pitts said. “His music is quality and one-of-a-kind.”
Hardy said “Finally” has been in progress for two years. The album will feature 14 to 16 original songs about relationships, love, meeting girls and sex.
“My music is my escape,” Hardy said. “I sing in truths, about things that have happened to me. It’s my way of expressing who I am.”
By: Jake May
Staff Reporter
- CM Life
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Flint senior Darryl “Martel” Hardy performed at the Lyricist’s Lounge on Sept. 20 in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. Hardy played his song “Meet Me Afte" SRC="http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper906/thumbs/t_45208ba11eedc-66-2.jpg" target=new>
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Flint senior Darryl “Martel” Hardy performed at the Lyricist’s Lounge on Sept. 20 in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. Hardy played his song “Meet Me Afte
[Click to enlarge]
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Darryl “Martel” Hardy, a Flint senior, creates his own music and serves as a producer for several Flint-based bands.
" SRC="http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper906/thumbs/t_45208ba11eedc-30-3.jpg" target=new>
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Darryl “Martel” Hardy, a Flint senior, creates his own music and serves as a producer for several Flint-based bands.
[Click to enlarge]
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Flint senior Darryl “Martel” Hardy juggles studies, work and being a musician and a producer. “It’s always a conflict, when you gotta do school but then you try a" SRC="http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper906/thumbs/t_45208ba11eedc-81-1.jpg" target=new>
Ryan Evon
Senior Photographer
Flint senior Darryl “Martel” Hardy juggles studies, work and being a musician and a producer. “It’s always a conflict, when you gotta do school but then you try a
[Click to enlarge]
American Idol producers told Darryl “Martel” Hardy he was too hip-hop.
But the Flint senior and sports management major could care less.
“I’ve been hip-hop my whole life,” Hardy said.
Hardy is a hip-hop and R&B artist and produces for Flint-based bands. He performed during Lyricist’s Lounge Sept. 20 in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium during Hip Hop Weekend.
Music has surrounded Hardy from a young age, he said.
“I’ve been around music since I can remember,” Hardy said. “It’s in my blood.”
Hardy said his father was his inspiration for starting his career in music.
Darryl Hardy Sr. owned a recording studio in the basement of their home. Hardy said there always were people coming in and out of the studio and there always was music playing.
When he started college, Hardy competed and won numerous talent shows and competitions, but he said he wanted something fresh.
“I was sick of singing lyrics from different artists,” Hardy said. “I decided to work on my own stuff. I wanted to sing original material that I wrote.”
When he began writing his own material, Hardy said he realized there was other talent on campus. He lived in Wheeler Hall a few doors down from CMU alumnus Brian Pitts Jr., who now is Hardy’s personal manager.
Pitts said when he met Hardy, he knew the two would make music.
“We started making music, and it became sort of a competition,” Pitts said. “He would run down the hall and have me listen to his stuff, and I’d do the same. He had instrumentation and background and flow. We became brothers.”
The link
Listen to Darryl “Martel” Hardy at his Web site, myspace.com/martelsmusic
Hardy said his music can’t be labeled under one genre. The music flows between the soft sounds of R&B and the upbeat style of hip-hop, he said.
Detroit senior Myron “Dex” Shorter II said Hardy’s style has a John Legend feel.
“He can sing all types of genres in music, which is what makes his music so original,” Shorter said.
Pitts said Hardy’s songs are based on his real-life experiences.
“His music actually comes from the heart,” Pitt said. “It’s something that the music industry is lacking. That’s why his sounds are so unique. Rap is constant negativity. Martel is bringing romance and love.”
CMU alumnus Michael Morgan, also known as “Slim Jackson,” currently is produced under Hardy and Best Kept Records, Hardy’s production company.
Morgan said he respects Hardy’s abilities.
“Producing is a gradual process to perfection,” Morgan said. “And he’s the best.”
Hardy said inmates have called into Flint radio stations from jail to request some of the bands he produces.
Instances such as that make him realize his music is good, Hardy said, and means people really do like the music he produces.
Pitt said the majority of Hardy’s fans are at CMU, which is where he plans to release his album “Finally” this spring.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if his popularity shot up throughout next summer,” Pitts said. “His music is quality and one-of-a-kind.”
Hardy said “Finally” has been in progress for two years. The album will feature 14 to 16 original songs about relationships, love, meeting girls and sex.
“My music is my escape,” Hardy said. “I sing in truths, about things that have happened to me. It’s my way of expressing who I am.”
By: Jake May
Staff Reporter
- CM Life
Discography
"1 Shot 2 Many" from Club Bedroom - airplay in Tallahassee
"Rep Where You Stay," "Sexy Green Eyes," "Up Up & Away," and "We So Ready (Farther Than Mars)" are the potential picks for singles off the Club Bedroom album.
One other album/mixtape that was released in 2004 named "Both Of Me" - received a buzz around the campus of Central Michigan University, Flint, Lansing, and Detroit, MI.
Singles are available along with pics and videos at www.myspace.com/musicmartel
Photos
Bio
Darryl Martel Hardy, better known as Martel, also know as "Best Kept Secret" in the production circles, is definitely something unlike anything. Versatile (plays keyboards, drums, guitar, trumpet, sings, raps, dances, writes, and produces). Marching band and choir in high school. Father also owned and ran a recording studio since Martel was just 2 years old. Martel is also a graduate of Central Michigan University, with a Major in Sport Management, and minor in Journalism.
Martel also got his name in the industry circles while living in Atlanta for a year. There he produced for artists such as 3D (106 & Park "Wildin' Out Wed." winners), Ee-De (Def Jam Visions artist), Off Da Meater (Radio Killer artist, and brother of The-Dream), and Atlanta artists Loced Out, Cash Boys, Flip Gucci, D.U. Boyz, Lucki DiGiano, Slim Jakson, Big Blaze, and Brayl Mack.
After finishing his higher education, Martel is finally putting out his second (1st official) album as an artist. To release Oct. 7, 2008, Club Bedroom is definitely an album that's self-explanatory. With a mix between R&B, Hip-Hop, and even Pop, Club Bedroom is the perfect all around album that takes your from the club experience to the bedroom. With techno driven' instruments and heavy bass lines in "Like Ecstasy," to the ATL down-south drums and T-Pain like vocalizer in "Rep Where You Stay," Club Bedroom sets the mood for a fun night at the club. With a slow hip hop sound and unique, clever, and catchy ode to green-eyed, light-skinned women in "Sexy Green Eyes," to the set-the-mood guitar rhythms and falsetto tones in "We So Ready," to the serious, heartache, Pop track "Why'd You Leave On Saturday," the bedroom setting balances out the album.
Martel is highly influenced by favorite artists Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Prince, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Usher, Outkast, Jay-Z, Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Bob James, Grover Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billi Holliday and most of all mother and father.
Music, photos, and pictures can be previewed at www.myspace.com/musicmartel
Links
