PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Carvin Haggins and Ivan Barias make up the multi-platinum songwriting and production duo that is celebrating ten years together, during which they’ve had a Top 10 hit every year for the past decade.

Barias says their music has a certain realness to it, thanks to the city of Philadelphia.

“Everything here is real, from the sports to the blue collar history it has,” he notes.

Haggins says his upbringing in North Philly made him the man and the artist he is today:

“It gives you more of a heart and concern for the people there that, once you get out, you want to give back to that community. So it worked wonders for my career and who I am right now, yeah.”

Carvin and Ivan have also started their own record label, Forever Music.  Their work is up for five Grammys in 2011.

Hear the expanded interview in this CBS Philly podcast…

Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio 1060.

Black History Month Guide to Events:

• Philadelphia and Pa. Suburbs

• South Jersey