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Moses Stone

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Moses Stone
Stone at McDonald's – Black & Positively Golden Day (2019)
Stone at McDonald's – Black & Positively Golden Day (2019)
Background information
Born
Moses Kenneth Haughton Jr.

(1986-10-19) October 19, 1986 (age 39)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
OriginWashington, D.C. / Laurel, Maryland
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • rapper
  • record producer
  • DJ
  • entrepreneur
  • actor
  • author
InstrumentsVocals, piano, guitar
Years active2004–present
LabelARTSKY
Websitewww.mosesstone.io

Moses Kenneth Haughton Jr. (born October 19, 1986), known professionally as Moses Stone, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, Billboard-charting record producer, DJ, entrepreneur, actor, and author. Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland, Stone is of Jamaican-American heritage — his mother, Renita R. Lattimore, is American, and his father, Moses Haughton Sr., is from Kingston, Jamaica.

He is the founder of Haughton Ventures Inc., a private equity venture firm; Ventured Brands, a brand acquisition, development, marketing, and licensing company; and ARTSKY, a full-service media, entertainment, and content creation company.

Stone is known as the songwriter, vocalist, and official ambassador of McDonald's Black & Positively Golden campaign, for which he wrote and performed the anthem "We Golden."[1] The campaign received a 2019 Clio Awards Shortlist recognition in the Film Technique: Music Original category.[2] He is a Billboard-charting record producer, holding a production credit on Decade of a Love King (2018) by three-time Grammy-nominated R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn, released via BMG Rights Management.[3][4] In 2012, he became the first rapper and singer to compete on NBC's The Voice, where he was a member of Christina Aguilera's team.[5]

Early life

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Stone was born on October 19, 1986, in Washington, D.C., and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland — specifically in the communities of Landover and Laurel. He is of Jamaican-American heritage; his mother, Renita R. Lattimore, is American, and his father, Moses Haughton Sr., is from Kingston, Jamaica. Stone has traced his love of music back to age six, when he was first introduced to rap by an older cousin. By his early teens he was already performing across the DMV region, at venues including Bar Nun in Washington, D.C., Howard University, and talent shows and festivals throughout the Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. area.[6]

Stone graduated from Laurel High School in 2004 and subsequently relocated to Hollywood, California, where he enrolled at the Musicians Institute in the Independent Artist Program, studying hip hop, pop, jazz, funk, electronica, reggae, and related genres.[7] While at MI, he co-founded an indie hip-hop band called Every Thursday with a fellow student, and landed an internship at Universal Music Group Distribution, advancing to a project manager role overseeing work across Universal Records, Universal Music Gospel, Machete Music, Universal Music Latin, and Fontana Distribution.[7]

Musical career

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Early recognition

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As a child and teenage performer known as "Young Moses," Stone competed in televised talent competitions and built an early reputation across the DMV. He appeared on MTV's Say What? Karaoke and BET's 106 & Park Wild Out Wednesday, winning audience competitions on both programs.[8] His stage presence also earned him a spot at Showtime at the Apollo in Harlem, New York, where he placed third and was the only rapper to win an Amateur Night competition there in 2004. He also opened for LeToya Luckett — a former member of the Grammy Award-winning group Destiny's Child — at Hunter College in New York City.[8]

Stone affiliated with Eruption Music Group (EMG), a full-service independent label and management operation. He was featured on "Angel," a power ballad available on iTunes and major digital retailers, and was named a featured solo artist by the company. The association earned Stone a feature in Billboard — the music industry's most prominent trade publication — in a piece spotlighting the label and its affiliated artists.[9]

2012: NBC's The Voice

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In 2012, Stone auditioned for the Emmy Award-nominated second season of NBC's The Voice, becoming the first rapper and singer hybrid in the show's history.[5][6] During the blind auditions, his hybrid style as an MC and vocalist successfully turned multiple coaches' chairs, ultimately leading him to choose Christina Aguilera's Team Xtina. The panel that season included Aguilera, Adam Levine of Maroon 5, country star Blake Shelton, and Cee Lo Green.[7]

Stone advanced through the battle rounds and into the first live shows, where he delivered a high-energy mashup of Kanye West's "Stronger" and "Power" alongside background dancers. He was also mentored during the competition by music icon Lionel Richie.[6] Following his run on the show, Stone appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as a representative of Team Christina.[10]

Following the show, Stone released his debut single "My Moment" and performed it live at a SKYY Vodka event at Coachella in 2012. He also performed at the Viper Room on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California, and delivered a live nationally broadcast performance at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, for the Showtime Championship Boxing main event — the Lateef Kayode vs. Antonio Tarver fight — before an arena crowd of 18,800 attendees.[8] He subsequently released the mixtape Resilient (2012) and its follow-up Resilient 2 (2014).

Music placements and production credits

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As a songwriter and producer, Stone secured music placements across a wide range of major television networks and programming, including Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Bad Girls Club, My Super Sweet 16, The Daily Show, Saturday Night Live, Access Hollywood, E! News, WWE, NFL programming, NBA programming, NBC, NCAA sports, Netflix, Hulu, MTV, VH1, and Oxygen. Through his production company Art Sky Productions, Stone also created music and sound branding for the NFL, NBA, Oprah, The PGA Tour, and APM Music.[10]

In February 2016, Stone produced "Come Together" for three-time Grammy-nominated Washington, D.C.-area R&B recording artist Raheem DeVaughn. The track was covered across multiple independent music publications. SoulBounce described Stone's production as turning "what would otherwise be a traditional R&B banger into a fully modern fusion of R&B and trap."[11][12][13] The production credit was subsequently included on DeVaughn's sixth studio album Decade of a Love King (2018), released via BMG Rights Management, which debuted at number 22 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart and number 95 on the Billboard Top Current Albums chart, making Stone a Billboard-charting record producer.[3][4]

In 2016, Stone guest starred on the Nickelodeon series Game Shakers, portraying the character Hatchit in the Season 2 episode "Babe's Bench."[10]

2015–2016: McDonald's Summer & Lovin' and All-Day Breakfast campaigns

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Stone first partnered with McDonald's in 2015 as the ambassador for their "Summer & Lovin'" campaign, producing and performing the music for the commercial. The spot premiered during the NBA Finals, drawing an audience of over 20.4 million viewers. McDonald's subsequently extended his involvement through their All-day breakfast campaign in 2015 and 2016.[14]

2019: McDonald's Black & Positively Golden and Clio Award recognition

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In 2019, Stone became the songwriter, vocalist, and official ambassador of McDonald's Black & Positively Golden campaign, the brand's largest African American-focused initiative in 16 years, replacing the 365Black platform McDonald's had used since 2003.[14] Stone wrote and performed the campaign anthem "We Golden," which debuted nationally on March 30, 2019, during the 50th NAACP Image Awards on TV One.[15] On March 29, 2019, Stone performed the anthem at the campaign's official launch event at the YWCA in Leimert Park, Los Angeles, alongside recording artist Normani and actress Yvonne Orji.[1][15]

"We Golden" was reported as the number one rated commercial among African American audiences in over 16 years.[14][16] The campaign received a 2019 Clio Awards Shortlist recognition in the Film Technique: Music Original category, entered by Burrell Communications Group on behalf of McDonald's.[2][17]

2019: International collaborations and streaming milestones

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Also in 2019, Stone expanded his global footprint through international collaborations. His feature on "Only One" by Saint Clue and Rubika amassed over one million streams online. The follow-up collaboration "Come Alive" — featuring Stone alongside Swedish singer Linn Sandin — surpassed 2.5 million streams and received international broadcast recognition, premiering live on BBC Radio and serving as an official soundtrack at ESL One York 2019, one of the year's most prominent global esports events. The track was released on September 20, 2019, through Intercord, and is available across all major streaming platforms.[18]

Entrepreneurship and authorship

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Stone is the founder of several companies operating across entertainment, media, private equity, and brand development, including Haughton Ventures Inc., Ventured Brands, and ARTSKY — encompassing Art Sky Entertainment (record label), Art Sky Productions (music production and licensing), and Art Sky Agency (creative digital agency). In 2020, he published Stumbling Into Entrepreneurship: Lessons For Success. The Mindset Needed to Become Your Own Boss (ISBN 979-8631341203).[19]

Musical style

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Stone's music incorporates elements of hip hop, pop, R&B, and reggae, blending rapping and singing in a hybrid style that he pioneered on national television.[6] His work as a songwriter and producer spans commercial music, sync licensing, record production, and sound branding across television, film, and live entertainment.[10]

Discography

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Albums

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Year Title Notes
2004 Young Moses Debut independent release
2006 Chapter 2: Through the Eyes of a Minor Independent release
2015 Warrior Independent album release
2017 Soon You'll Understand Five-track EP

Mixtapes

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Year Title Notes
2010 The Audition Eight-track hip hop / rap project
2012 Resilient Debut mixtape; released following The Voice Season 2[8]
2014 Resilient 2 Follow-up mixtape

Selected singles

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Year Title Notes
2012 "My Moment" Debut post-Voice single; performed live at SKYY Vodka Coachella event (2012)[8]
2016 "Young & Invincible" feat. Lisa Scinta Featured on Young Hollywood[19]
2017 "You Got It" feat. Gabby Moe Independent single[7]
2017 "Big City" Independent single
2017 "Gone" feat. Shwayze & Hero DeLano Beach/reggae-influenced single; video filmed in Malibu[7]
2019 "Still" Independent single
2019 "We Golden" McDonald's Black & Positively Golden anthem; McDonald's largest African American-focused campaign in 16 years; 2019 Clio Awards Shortlist[2][16]
2019 "Come Alive" feat. Linn Sandin With Saint Clue & Rubika; 2.5M+ streams; BBC Radio premiere; ESL One York 2019 official soundtrack; released via Intercord[18]
2019 "Only One" feat. Moses Stone With Saint Clue & Rubika; 1M+ streams[18]

Production credits

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Year Artist Track / Project Notes
2016 Raheem DeVaughn "Come Together" Three-time Grammy-nominated artist; praised by SoulBounce, The Boombox, and YouKnowIGotSoul[11][12][13]
2018 Raheem DeVaughn Decade of a Love King (Track 10 — Art Sky Productions) Billboard-charting album; peaked at #22 Billboard Independent Albums and #95 Billboard Top Current Albums; released via BMG Rights Management[3][4]
2019 McDonald's / Moses Stone "We Golden" Campaign anthem; 2019 Clio Awards Shortlist[2]
2015–2016 McDonald's "Summer & Lovin'", All-Day Breakfast spots Multi-year national campaign music production[14]
Various NFL, NBA, Oprah, PGA Tour, APM Music Various sync placements Through Art Sky Productions[10]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2008 Who Are You Wearin'? Himself Early credited appearance[10]
2012 The Voice (Season 2) Himself First rapper and singer in show history; Team Christina Aguilera[5]
2012 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Himself Team Christina guest appearance[10]
2012 Showtime Championship Boxing (Kayode vs. Tarver) Himself Live national performance; Home Depot Center, Carson, CA; 18,800 attendees[8]
2016 Game Shakers (Season 2, "Babe's Bench") Hatchit Guest role; Nickelodeon[10]

Commercials

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Monsters.com College Student Main Role[10]
2013 Domino's Pizza Studio Engineer Main Role[10]
2015 McDonald's — "Summer & Lovin'" Performer / Ambassador / Producer Premiered during NBA Finals; 20.4M viewers[14]
2015–2016 McDonald's — All-Day Breakfast Performer / Ambassador / Producer National multi-spot campaign[14]
2019 McDonald's — Black & Positively Golden Songwriter / Vocalist / Ambassador Clio Awards Shortlist; McDonald's largest African American-focused campaign in 16 years; premiered at 50th NAACP Image Awards[2][16][15]

Books

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  • Stumbling Into Entrepreneurship: Lessons For Success. The Mindset Needed to Become Your Own Boss (2020). ISBN 979-8631341203

Awards and recognition

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Year Award Category Result
2019 Clio Awards Film Technique: Music Original — McDonald's "Black & Positively Golden" Shortlist Recipient[2][17]
2019 Billboard Charts Producer credit — Decade of a Love King, Raheem DeVaughn (BMG Rights Management); peaked #22 Billboard Independent Albums, #95 Billboard Top Current Albums Billboard-charting producer[3][4]
2019 50th NAACP Image Awards Campaign national broadcast premiere — "We Golden" Featured[15]
2019 McDonald's Corporate Newsroom Largest African American-focused campaign in 16 years Official songwriter, vocalist, and ambassador[14]
2013 Billboard Spotlight feature — Eruption Music Group Featured artist[9]
2012 NBC's The Voice (Season 2) First rapper and singer in show history — Team Christina Aguilera Historic first[5][6]
2007 BET's 106 & Park Wild Out Wednesday Audience competition First place[8]
2004 MTV's Say What? Karaoke Audience competition First place[8]
2004 Showtime at the Apollo Live performance — Amateur Night Placed third; only rapper to win Amateur Night[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b "McD's star-studded 'Black & Positively Golden' launch". Reel Chicago. July 18, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Black And Positively Golden — Clio Awards 2019 Shortlist Winner". The Clio Awards.
  3. ^ a b c d "Raheem DeVaughn — Decade of a Love King". Discogs.
  4. ^ a b c d "Raheem DeVaughn Chart History — Independent Albums". Billboard.
  5. ^ a b c d "Moses Stone Is the First MC on 'The Voice'". PopCrush. February 15, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d e "How DMV Expat Moses Stone Landed on The Voice". Washington City Paper.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Moses Stone: MI Success Story Artist Profile". Musicians Institute.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "NBC's 'The Voice' Star, Moses Stone, To Release Anticipated Debut Mixtape 'Resilient'". Newswire. October 30, 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Spotlight on Eruption Music Group". Billboard. January 14, 2013.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Moses Stone". IMDb.
  11. ^ a b "Come Together With Your Lover and Listen to Raheem DeVaughn's New Single". SoulBounce. February 16, 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Raheem DeVaughn Brings the Love on 'Come Together'". The Boombox. February 18, 2016.
  13. ^ a b "New Music: Raheem DeVaughn — Come Together". YouKnowIGotSoul. February 15, 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g "Black and Positively Golden: Launching Our Largest African American-Focused Campaign in 16 Years". McDonald's Corporate Newsroom. 2019.
  15. ^ a b c d "McDonald's USA Hosted Star-Studded Community Event to Launch New National Campaign — Black & Positively Golden". The Jasmine BRAND. April 4, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c "McDonald's Black & Positively Golden TV Spot, 'Never Scrambled' Song by Moses Stone". iSpot.tv.
  17. ^ a b "Clio Announces 2019 Gold, Silver, Bronze and Shortlist Winners". Radio & Television Business Report. September 4, 2019.
  18. ^ a b c "Exclusive: Interview with Moses Stone. The Rapper Who Made History". CelebMix. June 28, 2017.
  19. ^ a b "Artist To Watch: Moses Stone". Young Hollywood. July 12, 2013.
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