To make a label work like clockwork, we need a staff capable of keeping things running smooth while we handle the frontlines. Mind you, the staff is JUST as important as the recording artist, we're all in this battle together, so it's just as important for these guys to keep things going.

Matthew Dunlap - Webmaster / Admin
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Matt is our first ever webmaster /administrator for the death2selfrecords.com domain. He will be involoved in various sweeps through the site, fixing coding errors and adding his own unique designing flare to the place. He's around if you find that an image is broken or a page won't load properly, he's the first line of defense to keeping this site itself clean and safe.

Jerediah Peterson - Graphic Artist
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Jered is heading up our graphic promotions campaigns from here on out. He will be responsible for creating flyers and banners that will be used in our online promos. You may remember him from being my hype-man onstage or might have seen his work before. He will be the go-to guy for creating unique graphics to attract all audiences to our latest events and releases.

Ginae B. McDonald - Social Manager (Twitter)
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Ginae is our new social manager for a new twitter account we will be featuring called "D2S:Fan" which will be a new twitter account meant specifically for keeping up with artists signed to the label. This will include announcements that will be sent to her regarding new and upcoming music releases, concert listings, store updates and more.

Death2Self Records [D2S] was established September 12, 2004. D2S was established in Bronx, NYC and founded by Jason Torres AKA Spiritually Anointed [SA]. Death2Self signs artists from different parts of the US and does a big part of it's advertising online through various media sources. The main goal for Death2Self Records and signed recording artists is to create great quality music with strong relatable messages containing moral values that enfuses the ideal of living for Christ and for others.

So, we've been around since 2004, we're an indy underground label... what's our story? What's the big deal and why should YOU give a darn? Well, for one, you gotta admit - the name "Death2Self" is a pretty cool name for a record label. Definitely doesn't give you the impression that we're a Christian label. We're not trying to hide who we are, but we have a very strong message and purpose, and we want to reach the streets and every home inbetween.

Let me take you back to 2004 where this all began. You're probably thinking it all started with a "skinny whiteboy" who got high off an 8Mile marathon and wanted to be the next Slim Shady. To set the record straight, I'm Puerto Rican, but I've seen a lot of guys mess around with Christian rap intending to be the next "Christian Slim Shady". No, it all started with a disgust for hip-hop as a matter of fact. Prior to being into the hip-hop culture, I was a rocker. I had all the POD CDs, Demon Hunter, 12 Stones, you name it. Hip-Hop beat blazing outta cars passing by while I plugged in my headphones to DC Talk and 38th Parallel.

Years pass by and family whom I love dearly who were all raised to know, love and honor our creator [God], slowly turn away to smoking, drugs and addictions. I'm not saying everyone in my family did this, I'm just trying not to be specific. However, I recall the hip-hop stylings of Dr. Dre, Limp Biskit banging out the bass systems in my fam's cars... parked in front of friend's homes, watching them smoke in front of me. Weapons kept tight in the car, being the man with the bigger rep, this church boy's eyes was exposed to the new ways of an old friend... and I had enough.

Death2Self Records didn't come right away, the original plan was to start and manage a Christian rap group to combat the themes heard in the music I grew to detest. Sure, I can be honest about something - secular beats are real catchy, and I can dance to any of them like the rest...I do enjoy good music. I don't enjoy the damaging effects of immoral lyrics.

So, I got with a good friend of mine from my church who would later be called D.R.E.X. to talk about my vision. I wasn't a rapper, never saw myself as one. I was willing to bring up others and just be their accountability partner and manager. Turned out, the people I had in mind weren't ready to take on this task, so the option was mine: Do I let this desire go, or do I pursue it myself? Lots of prayer went into this, but it turned out that God was going to lead me to start more than just a hip-hop ministry...He was going to lead me to start...a movement.

The Birth of The Death

When you listen to secular music, what are the common themes you pick up: Sex, Money, Lust, Personal status (rep). Can you make a connection? It's all about 'yourself', the 'me, myself and I" thing is a STRONG factor in mainstream music, or, in hip-hop music in particular. One thing that drew me away from hip-hop is that none of it was relatable to me, so I never understood why people were so into music when all the rappers spoke of was things that the average listener didn't have. Doesn't make sense, does it?

This mission, this movement that I was getting ready for was not just to combat those ideals, but to do it with the idea of fighting for my family and all those influenced in mind. This was war. It later came to my attention that in order to gain life in Jesus Christ (meaning favor, blessings and strength to follow through on your mission), you must lose it (Luke 9:23-24). This gave me the inspiration and desire to build a record label based around the theme that completely counteracts the common messages found in secular music: thus, Death2Self Records was born.

Now, why do a label at all? Why couldn't I simply build a solo career and be done with it? For one, I've always been about community, other likeminded people. For me, I believe in the whole "united we stand" thing. I believe an army is greater than a lone wolf, and I never wanted to just be about myself.

With little effort from myself, God brought together so many opportunities and wonderful like-minded people to help build the foundation of the label. That confirmed to me that this was God's and not just momentary excitment. Everything just sorta came together, and that's when I began to push this ministry as hard as I can.

Knowing Our Roots

It took a great deal to transform me into the confident and assured CEO of a movement such as Death2Self. When I originally shared this idea with D.R.E.X. (CEO of Urban Riderz), he stood behind me and helped get me to stand on my own as an artist and leader. Creating great music, and confident about making a change, D.R.E.X. became a big influence of mine, and I owe much to his leadership. While he is in NYC repping Urban Riderz and it's unique and grand movement, we both remain supportive of each other.

I always had in interest in hip-hop to some extent. I detested the themes in the music, but I loved everything about the origins and culture itself. After all, I was raised in the culture in school, and it just became a part of me. In the early 90s I played with the idea of becoming a rap artist under different names. My very first rap name was J.O* Flow (Jesus Ordained Flow), followed years later by Lil' Reverend.

The name Spiritually Anointed (Or more commonly, SA) stems from my personal desire with God to be touched deeper than the flesh. An oil anointing is placed on the head as a symbol of spiritual cleansing. I always imagined an oil anointed hitting my head, but sinking inside me to touch my soul.

I want God to use me in ways that this body couldn't possibly do on its own.

With that, I hope you get a better idea of who we are. We are soldiers engaged in a spiritual battle against the immoral themes of secular hip-hop; replacing selfishness with selflessness.

What Kind of Record Label is Death2Self?

• No, we're not the kind of label that can afford to give you a $5,000 signing loan to get you started and keep you in debt to us.
• No, we're not the kind of label that does all the work so all you have to do is hop on a car / plane and show up for a show.
• No, we don't and will not follow traditional methods of other record labels, that's why most record labels are now losing money. We aim to think... differently.
• No, we're not the kind of label that's interested in making you change your image, alter your music in any way. If we're not interested in the REAL you, we're just not interested.

If you're looking to be signed with us, understand we're not going to sign based on good music and good first, second, third impression. We've lived and learned over the years, and good music alone just isn't our thing. Tickling the ears is nice, but what kind of spiritual life do you have with our Lord Jesus Christ? That's what we want to know, and decisions are never made quickly, unless God shows us favor.

So you know what we're NOT, here's what we ARE:

• We are ministers AKA strong men & women of God with pastor-like qualities first, rappers, singers, performers second.
• We are brethren, closely nit, who are accountable to one another. 
• All the resources that you seek to improve your music ministry, we share among each other using resources & opportunities.
• We are currently non-profit, but seek to change that. Reason being: it costs nothing start a ministry, but it does cost money to seek a vision.
• We are transparent and real. We are diverse and unashamed of the title "Christian rappers / singers". We know God won't be ashamed of us.
• We are a label that requires contractual agreements to help protect both sides from miscommunication and harm.
• We are a label that will no longer accept artists under 18 years old.

Music artists interested in singing with us should have the following qualifications:

• A strong relationship with God that's growing daily.
• Must attend a church, unless you are transitioning from one to another, then you have a max of 3 months to find a new one.
• Must have a local accountability partner we can contact.
• Christian lifestyle who follows the same beliefs we have.
• Must be able to tour, travel whether on their own and / or with others.
• Must be 18 or older.
• Must have access to studio standard equipment for recording.
• Must have clearance from ALL beats used on an album before putting it on sale.
• If using industry beats for a FREE mixtape, please be sure to credit the source.