Gospel Gangstaz
Encyclopedia
Gospel Gangstaz is a Grammy-nominated Christian
rap group from Compton
and South Central, Los Angeles
. The group has featured members formerly affiliated with the Crips
and Bloods
gangs, Mr. Solo, Chilly Baby, DJ Dove and Tik Tokk.
related songs. The group's founder, Mr. Solo became a Christian after he almost died in a gang-related shooting.
In an interview Mr. Solo said of the Gospel Gangstaz:
In 1994, the trio released their debut album, Gang Affiliated. In winter of 1996, the group's follow up, Do or Die was released. However 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. Other releases from the group include All Mixed UP 2000, The Exodus 2002 and The Flood 2006.
They are currently working on a film and soundtrack entitled Street Disciples
In July 2006, ex-member Tik Tokk was arrested on murder charges.
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. When asked about the announcement that Tik Tokk, a former member of the Gospel Gangstaz, had been arrested on July 6th for his alleged involvement in a Bibb County, GA shooting, Chille’ Baby said, “It was a major, major shock.”
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 ago. 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."
The Gospel Gangstaz have teamed up with some of the biggest names in Gospel music including Kirk Franklin
and Mary Mary.
to form the Camp 8 clothing line. 2011 launches the first of the clothing line with the Camp 8 Sneakahz. They will be using Faces Behind the Labels to manufacture the shoes.
Christian hip hop
Christian hip hop is hip hop music characterized by a Christian worldview, with the general purposes of evangelization , edifying members of the church and/or simply entertaining.-History:Since hip-hop started in the 1970s, various hip-hop artists have...
rap group from Compton
Compton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
and South Central, Los Angeles
South Los Angeles
South Los Angeles, often abbreviated as South L.A. and formerly South Central Los Angeles, is the official name for a large geographic and cultural portion lying to the southwest and southeast of downtown Los Angeles, California. The area was formerly called South Central, and is still widely known...
. The group has featured members formerly affiliated with the Crips
Crips
The Crips are a primarily, but not exclusively, African American gang. They were founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969 mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams...
and Bloods
Bloods
The Bloods are a street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. They are identified by the red color worn by their members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs...
gangs, Mr. Solo, Chilly Baby, DJ Dove and Tik Tokk.
Biography
The group is known for their beliefs and religiousReligion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
related songs. The group's founder, Mr. Solo became a Christian after he almost died in a gang-related shooting.
In an interview Mr. Solo said of the Gospel Gangstaz:
In 1994, the trio released their debut album, Gang Affiliated. In winter of 1996, the group's follow up, Do or Die was released. However 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. Other releases from the group include All Mixed UP 2000, The Exodus 2002 and The Flood 2006.
They are currently working on a film and soundtrack entitled Street Disciples
In July 2006, ex-member Tik Tokk was arrested on murder charges.
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. When asked about the announcement that Tik Tokk, a former member of the Gospel Gangstaz, had been arrested on July 6th for his alleged involvement in a Bibb County, GA shooting, Chille’ Baby said, “It was a major, major shock.”
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 ago. 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."
The Gospel Gangstaz have teamed up with some of the biggest names in Gospel music including Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Kirk Dwayne Franklin is an American Gospel music musician, choir director, and author, and is most notably known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God's Property and One Nation Crew .- Early years :...
and Mary Mary.
Fashion
The Gospel Gangstaz teamed up with Only WonOnly Won
Only Won is a hip hop artist who has been writing, performing, rapping, beatboxing and singing as well as acting and performing stunt work. Only Won started rapping seriously in 1991 after being influenced by hip hop pioneers Run DMC, Will Smith, dcTalk, and T-Bone...
to form the Camp 8 clothing line. 2011 launches the first of the clothing line with the Camp 8 Sneakahz. They will be using Faces Behind the Labels to manufacture the shoes.
Discography
- 1994: Gang AffiliatedGang AffiliatedGang 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...
- 1995: Do or DieDo or Die (Gospel Gangstaz album)Do or Die is the second album released by Gospel Gangstaz. It was released on November 28, 1995 for Holy Terra Records and featured production from Mr. Solo, Tik Tokk, DMG, Aaron Connor, Paul Andris, Sean Freehill and Steve Good...
- 1999: I Can See Clearly NowI Can See Clearly Now (Gospel Gangstaz album)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...
- 2000: All Mixed UpAll Mixed Up (album)All Mixed Up is a remix album and the fifth album released by Gospel Gangstaz. It was released on January 14, 2003 for KMG Records and featured production by Mr. Solo, Tik Tokk, Chillie' Baby, DJ Dove and DMG...
(Unauthorized remix CD) - 2002: The ExodusThe Exodus (album)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...
- 2006: The Flood
- 2011: Street's Disciples