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DOC WATSON: DA BEAT MAKER

www.myspace.com/clemusik

Bloody images of the War on Terror are plastered almost daily on television and in the media. These images show the fighting and terrorizing situations that occur on a daily basis in modern day Iraq and Afghanistan. Many service members have taken several tours to distant lands as a means of bringing balance to a volatile society. All the while there is balance missing from their lives at times leaving fragility in their mental and physical state.  Back on Calvary, when Christ laid down his life, blood was shed in order to provide His children grace. For many Christians, it is the image of Him on the Cross that signifies the love that is given to us all. Even in ancient times there was a constant flux of instability that affected the daily lives of Christians. This is in part because there is a constant war going on between living in a world of chaos run by Satan and a world of peace run by Christ. For most of us the question is …who will win the war in our lives?

Before joining the military Jacob “Doc Watson” Maikish was growing up in San Diego, California during a time with West Coast rap reined supreme. He remembers listening to “Dr. Dre, Battle Cat, and Warren G best known for their G-funk style of music.” More importantly, he remained open minded and was greatly influenced by East Coast hip-hop as well. “Both styles of music” became a major “part of his production” to help create his “own type of musical style.”

Born with a love for music, producing was always in the plan for Doc Watson, but, at age 16, while writing an album he was taken off course. He got “involved with the wrong crowd and almost lost everything.” The album he was writing at the time was never finished because of the because of the unfortunate decisions he made which almost cost him everything. However, out of a negative situation came an opportunity to see more in life.

Despite joining the military Doc did not forsake his purpose of creating music. He was signed to an “independent label in 2000 called One Love Records” and was “placed on a production team called Knuckleheadz.” During this time he “worked as an Assistant Program Director” for two radio stations and a mix show” in the Clarksville and Nashville, Tennessee areas as well as Atlanta, Georgia.

In 2001, while Doc Watson was serving in the military with the 101^st Airborne he was given an opportunity to contemplate God’s purpose for his life. During this tour Doc Watson was given “seven months away from family and friends”; this was a time for him to “do some thinking about himself and others while in Pakistan fighting in the war.” All of the experiences that were taking place in his life became a part of the eclectic flavor of his productions.

Shortly after his first tour in Pakistan, Doc Watson was called to serve in Baghdad Iraq. This time his deployment was cut short because he was injured during an “ambush attack.” This single moment almost cost Doc Watson his life, but divine intervention came down and sparred him his life. This same intervention also played a major part in the “healing process physically and emotionally.” Due to his “physical and emotional injury” Doc Watson was “honorably discharged.” His love of music still resonated inside him and the focus of his life turned to God, his family and music.”

With a newly found focus, Doc Watson was “given a vision from God” that lead him to work with other artists that  want to “spread the Gospel in the streets using hip-hop as a tool to reach the youth.”

Doc Watson fought literally and figuratively in a war. Dealing with the emotional discomfort and instability after serving in volatile land he remained focus on God’s purpose for his life. He is now “trying to get the music in the hands of kids, make Christian hip-hop artist more visible, and keep the music interesting” to the hip-hop generation.  As owner of Christ Like Entertainment Doc Watson’s productions assist artist that “promote Christ in everything that they do.” With three albums under his belt, Click Rightious, Kingston, and Kame up, he is working diligently to put more heave hitter music out to reach those that love music and want to grow in Christ.    

Written by: Jennifer Prince

Read Exclusive interview with Doc Watson in Exodus Magazine's Spring Issue