Haystak Explained

Haystak
Birth Name:Jason Winfree
Alias:Mak Million
Birth Place:Lebanon, Tennessee, United States
Birth Date:22 March 1973
Origin:Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Genre:Southern hip hop
Occupation:Rapper
Years Active:1995–present

Jason Winfree (born March 22, 1973), professionally known by his stage name Haystak is an American rapper from Nashville, Tennessee

Early life

Jason Winfree was born to teenage parents in Trenton, Tennessee, outside of Nashville and was raised by his grandparents. At the age of 15, he was arrested and convicted for bringing Valium and cocaine to school. He served two years and, when he was released, began a music career. He rapped about his life as so-called "white trash", exploring the social dimensions of being white and underprivileged in the South.

Career

In the late 1990s, he signed with a local rap label, Street Flavor, and began a business relationship with producers Kevin Grisham and Sonny Paradise. The partnership resulted in Mak Million, Haystak's 1998 debut album, followed two years later by Car Fulla White Boys. By this point, Haystak had garnered a substantial regional following, and underground hardcore rap publication Murder Dog began promoting his work. The attention attracted the label Koch Records who signed Haystak and re-released Car Fulla White Boys in late summer 2000. Two years later, Koch released Haystak's third album, The Natural.

Haystak released his latest solo album entitled Easy 2 Hate on November 30, 2010 through Haystak, Inc.

Haystak is divorced and has two children. In addition to rap music, he has been featured on film Hustle & Flow where he played the DJ named Mickey.

Haystak collaborated with fellow Nashville native JellyRoll on the albums Strictly Business in 2011 and its sequel Business As Usual in 2013.

Since March 2017, Haystak has been partnered with Daphne McCool and Russell Duke who have rebuilt his brand and have contributed to his continued success.

In June 2018, Statik G signed Haystak to his record label RhymeSick for a 5 year deal and immediately booked several national tours for the rest of the year into 2019.[1]

Haystak joined Jon Conner's War Horse Entertainment in 2021, and has since gone on to release Haywire and Long Overdue (11/10/2023).

Legal issues

In 2004, Haystack was charged with statutory rape.[2] In 2006, Haystak was charged and convicted of sexual assault.[2] He was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days of supervised probation.[2] In May 2014, he was arrested on domestic violence charges.[2] In December 2014, he was arrested for intent to commit sexual abuse during a concert in Iowa. [2]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Studio album detailsPeak chart positions
US[3] US R&B[4] US Rap[5] US Indie[6] US Heat.[7]
Mak Million
  • Released: September 15, 1998
  • Label: Street Flavor
Car Fulla White Boys
  • Released: July 20, 2000
  • Label: Street Flavor/Koch
The Natural
  • Released: July 23, 2002
  • Label: Street Flavor/Koch
16431136
Return of the Mak Million
  • Released: October 29, 2002
  • Label: Street Flavor
Portrait of a White Boy
  • Released: October 19, 2004
  • Label: 40 West Records/Street Flavor
From Start to Finish
  • Released: July 26, 2005
  • Label: 40 West Records
92
The New South
  • Released: September 19, 2005
  • Label: Hardwax Australia/Central Station
The SouthWest Connection (with Lexx Luger & Dutch the Great)
Crackavelli
  • Released: March 20, 2007
  • Label: 40 West Records/Street Flavor
1863819247
Hard 2 Love
  • Released: August 26, 2008
  • Label: Merge Entertainment
28154113
Cracks the Safe
  • Released: September 2, 2008
  • Label: Siccness.net
66
The Natural II 472042
Came a Long Way
  • Released: July 21, 2009
  • Label: Street Flavor
391622
Easy 2 Hate
  • Released: November 30, 2010
  • Label: Haystak Inc.
6812
Strictly Business (with JellyRoll)
  • Released: December 3, 2011
  • Label: Haystak Inc.
6716
Business As Usual (with JellyRoll)
  • Released: November 19, 2013
  • Label: Haystak Inc.
4211
Walking Tall
  • Released: April 8, 2014
  • Label: Global Alliance Entertainment
Still Standing
  • Released: February 2, 2016
  • Label: PinayPounder Records

Mixtapes

Title! scope="col" scope="col";"
Mixtape details
Street Flavor (with Charlie P & Jelly Roll)
  • Released: 2006
  • Label: Street Flavor Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
B.O.S.S. The Mixtape Volume 1
  • Released: October 16, 2007
  • Label: Merge Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
B-Side Bangerz
  • Released: March 4, 2016
  • Label: PinayPounder Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
The Basement Tapes
  • Released: December 16, 2016
  • Label: PStreet Flavor Records/Memphis International Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Broken
  • Released: 2018
  • Label: Brabo Gator Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Haywire
  • Released: February 18, 2022
  • Label: War Horse Entertainment
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Extended plays

Title! scope="col" scope="col";"
MEP details
Desensitized
  • Released: December 2020
  • Label: Black Fly Music
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Notes and References

  1. Web site: HAYSTAK Signs to Rhymesick Entertainment; New Haywire Tour Dates Announced!. D. Scottie. June 30, 2018. Faygoluvers. en-US. April 16, 2019.
  2. Web site: Nashville Rapper Haystak Arrested for Sexual Assault ... Again. Nashville Scene. en. April 16, 2019.
  3. Web site: Haystak Chart History. https://web.archive.org/web/20190426131036/https://www.billboard.com/music/Haystak/chart-history/billboard-200. dead. April 26, 2019. Billboard 200. April 16, 2019.
  4. Web site: Haystak Chart History. https://web.archive.org/web/20190425125754/https://www.billboard.com/music/Haystak/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-albums. dead. April 25, 2019. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. April 16, 2019.
  5. Web site: Haystak Chart History. https://web.archive.org/web/20190426131046/https://www.billboard.com/music/Haystak/chart-history/rap-albums. dead. April 26, 2019. Top Rap Albums. April 16, 2019.
  6. Web site: Haystak Chart History. https://web.archive.org/web/20190425125732/https://www.billboard.com/music/Haystak/chart-history/independent-albums. dead. April 25, 2019. Independent Albums. April 16, 2019.
  7. Web site: Haystak Chart History. https://web.archive.org/web/20190425125743/https://www.billboard.com/music/Haystak/chart-history/heatseekers-albums. dead. April 25, 2019. Heatseekers Albums. April 16, 2019.