Critical

Critical, aka Brandon Michael Dittel, was born June 24th 1984 in Robbinsdale Minnesota. Critical grew up in Circle Pines in a trailer park right off of 35W Freeway. In 1989, when he was 5 years old, his Father left him. He felt he would never have anyone to relate to or talk to. Growing up with his mother, Critical began his art of writing. He continued to go to school in Circle Pines, living with his Mother, and hanging out in the trailer park and St. Paul with his cousins. In 1999 at the age of 15, Critical began High school at Centennial, and was in football and weight lifting. He got good grades thru-out high school, but got into many fights, got suspended, arrested and expelled. Pissed at his upbringing and authority figures telling him what to do, Critical began getting into drugs and vandalism-driven by revenge! Critical was facing 2 felonies ("Wreckless discharge of a weapon," and "Criminal damage to property") by the age of 17 (2002) for shooting out car windows. 3 undercover police officers were waiting for him to leave school the next day. He was pulled over in the school parking lot and expelled for having a gun on campus. Critical was sent to Lino Lake Juvenile center and a rehab treatment facility. After finishing treatment he was placed on probation and givin an ultimatum to remain law-obiding or face the 2 felonies on his adult record. 6 months later at the age of 18, Critical relapsed and was arrested again for: "Criminal damage to property, Disturbing the peace, Interferring with due process, and resisiting arrest." He was sent to Anoka County Jail for 5 days until he was bailed out. Being on probation for similar charges, and violating previous probation, something had 2 give. Some would call this a "spiritual awakening," Others call it a "Rock Bottem." With all the charges he was facing, and dealing with addiction, relapse, and graduating high school, Critical found his inner strength-his ability to write lyrics. He started turning his written words and poems into lyrics and songs. He found this to be his greatest tool and anti-drug for his recovery. Critical started going to open mic sessions at the 5th Element Record shop owned by Atmosphere. He stayed sober his whole senior year in a sober school, and graduated in 2003. He later started recording songs with his cousin Whiteout aka Justin, in 2004. After a fall out, Critical had to work 2 jobs to pay his bills. He then found a job as a loan officer for Mortgage 1 for the past 2 years. Critical is currently working on his Mixtape and his 1st Album, both dropping in 2008. Critical just finished constructing his home studio with Pro-Tools LE and is producing other artist's projects as well. If you are looking to callabo on a track, or you need someone to produce it, contact Critical@ Midwestdittel@aol.com or Critical187@gmail.com or just message him thru Myspace or Facebook. -Critical Management Local Minnesota Underground Rap artist and producer. I record, mix, promote set up and perform shows, make beats, etc.