Gospel Gangstaz

Last updated

Gospel Gangstaz
Origin South Central, Los Angeles
Genres Hip hop, Christian hip hop
Years active1994–present
MembersChillie' Baby
Past members
  • Mr. Solo
  • DJ Dove
  • Tik Tokk

Gospel Gangstaz is a Greater Los Angeles Area-based Christian hip hop group. The West Coast hip hop members were formerly affiliated with the Crips and Bloods gangs, which has featured Mr. Solo, Chilly Baby, DJ Dove and Tik Tokk. [1]

Contents

Biography

The group is known for their unique combination of musical talent and Christian lifestyle, as evidenced in their songs. The group's founder, Mr. Solo became a Christian after he almost died in a gang-related shooting.[ citation needed ]

In an interview Mr. Solo said of the Gospel Gangstaz:

The Gospel Gangstaz stand in a position to help, because we have seen how the gospel of Christ is real. Our lives were changed from selling crack, drive-by shootings, car-jacking and illicit sex, to a life of peace, joy and happiness because of Christ. We want to go back to the hood and let our light shine. [2]

In 1994, the group released their debut album, Gang Affiliated. In winter of 1996, the group's follow up, Do or Die was released. But their third album I Can See Clearly Now released in 1999 was their debut CD on B-Rite, a major label. The album received a Grammy nomination in the Best Rock Gospel Album category. [3] Other releases from the group include All Mixed UP (2000), The Exodus (2002), The Flood (2006) and a video documentary/soundtrack called Street Disciples (2011).[ citation needed ]

In July 2006, ex-member Tik Tokk was arrested on murder charges. [4]

The Gospel Gangstaz have long been known for their ministry focused toward spreading the love of Christ to young men and women with violent pasts or drug problems.[ citation needed ] When asked about the announcement that Tik Tokk, a former member of the Gospel Gangstaz, had been arrested on July 6 for his alleged involvement in a Bibb County, GA shooting, Chille' Baby said, "It was a major, major shock."[ citation needed ]

"Professionally, Mr. Solo and Chille' Baby have not been associated with Tik Tokk since 2003. They gave him their blessing when he asked to leave the group over a year and a half before. They have not recorded with him since then and Tik Tokk has not performed with the group for years. Mr. Solo explained that when he and Tik Tokk first met, he felt he was drawn to minister to Tik Tokk much in the same way that he wanted to minister to others with troubled and violent pasts. When asked about the future of the Gangstaz, Mr. Solo said, 'We are moving on with our ministry with the vision God has given us. Even though Tik Tokk parted from the Gospel Gangstaz, our heart still goes out to him, as well as the families of the victims.'" [5]

The Gospel Gangstaz have teamed up with gospel music artists Kirk Franklin, A-1 Swift, CMC's and Mary Mary.[ citation needed ]

Mr. Solo died on May 23, 2020. [6]

Discography

Compilation

The Gospel Gangstaz are featured in a song called "Testify" on the Luvv 2 Dance compilation album by Much Luvv Records. [7]

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<i>Gang Affiliated</i> 1994 studio album by Gospel Gangstaz

Gang Affiliated is the debut album released by Gospel Gangstaz. It was released on October 28, 1994 for MYX Records and featured production from DJ Dove and Mr. Solo. The album is widely considered as the first harder-edged Christian hip hop album as the sound and lyrics had a gritty element to them that was virtually unseen in the genre at the time as this album sounded much like the popular West Coast Gangsta G-funk music of the mid-1990s. Gang Affiliated managed to make it to No. 19 on the Top Christian Albums Billboard chart. However, the three singles: "Mobbin' ", "Testimony" and "Y Cain't da Homiez Hear Me?" did not make it to any Billboard charts.

<i>Do or Die</i> (Gospel Gangstaz album) 1995 studio album by Gospel Gangstaz

Do or Die is the second album released by Gospel Gangstaz, issued in November 1995 on Holy Terra Records. The album peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

<i>I Can See Clearly Now</i> (Gospel Gangstaz album) 1999 studio album by Gospel Gangstaz

I Can See Clearly Now is the Grammy-nominated third album released by Gospel Gangstaz. It was released on May 18, 1999 for B-Rite Records and featured production by Mr. Solo, Tik Tokk, Chillie' Baby, DeMarie "Meech" Sheki, Twenty20 and Trackmasters. I Can See Clearly made it on three Billboard charts, 25 on the Top Heatseekers, 11 on the Top Christian Albums and 3 on the Top Gospel Albums. I Can See Clearly Now was a critical success and remains the group's most successful album. At the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards, the album was nominated for the Best Rock Gospel Album, however it lost to Rebecca St. James' Pray.

<i>The Exodus</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Gospel Gangstaz

The Exodus is the fourth album released by Gospel Gangstaz. It was released on October 15, 2002, for Native Record and featured production from Mr. Solo, Tik Tokk, Chillie' Baby, Prodeje, Bootsy Collins and Bobby Ross Avila. The Exodus found some success, making it to 17 on the Top Gospel Albums and 85 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Billboard charts. The Exodus was the first album by the Gospel Gangstaz to not make it to the Top Christian Albums and the first to make it on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop album chart.

<i>All Mixed Up</i> (Gospel Gangstaz album) 2003 remix album by Gospel Gangstaz

All Mixed Up is an unauthorized remix album of songs by Gospel Gangstaz, according to group member Chille Babe. It was released on January 14, 2003 for KMG Records. It was the first Gospel Gangstaz album to not make it on the Billboard charts.

<i>The Flood</i> (Gospel Gangstaz album) 2006 studio album by Gospel Gangstaz

The Flood is the sixth album released by Gospel Gangstaz. It was released on August 8, 2006 for Alliant Records and featured production Marvin "Twenty/20 Davis", Mr. Solo, Tik Tokk, Chillie' Baby and Jeffrey Baggett. The Flood was the first studio album by the group to not make it on any Billboard charts.

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References

  1. ↑ Gospel Gangstaz newreleasetoday. Retrieved. October 5, 2015
  2. ↑ Biography. christianmusic. Accessed December 18, 2007.
  3. ↑ "NBC4 "Grammy Nominees - Gospel"". Nbc4.com. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Tic Tock formerly of Gospel Gangstaz locked up". Rapzilla. December 4, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Tic Tock formerly of Gospel Gangstaz locked up". December 4, 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Mr. Solo of Legendary CHH Group Gospel Gangstaz Passes Away". Rapzilla. May 23, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Much Luvv Records". Syntax Creative. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
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