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Gospel Gangstaz is a
Greater Los Angeles Area Greater Los Angeles is the second-largest metropolitan region in the United States with a population of 18.5 million in 2021, encompassing five counties in Southern California extending from Ventura County in the west to San Bernardino Coun ...
-based Christian hip hop group. The
West Coast hip hop West Coast hip hop is a regional genre of hip hop music that encompasses any artists or music that originated in the West Coast region of the United States. West Coast hip hop began to dominate from a radio play and sales standpoint during the e ...
members were formerly affiliated with the
Crips The Crips is an alliance of street gangs that is based in the coastal regions of Southern California. Founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969, mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams, the Crips were initially a single alliance ...
and
Bloods The Bloods are a primarily African-American street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. It is identified by the red color worn by its members and by particular gang symbols, includ ...
gangs, which has featured Mr. Solo, Chilly Baby, DJ Dove and Tik Tokk.


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. In an interview Mr. Solo said of the Gospel Gangstaz: 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. 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). 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 6 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 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.'" The Gospel Gangstaz have teamed up with gospel music artists
Kirk Franklin Kirk Dewayne Franklin (born January 26, 1970) is an American songwriter, choir director, gospel singer, and rapper. He is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel ensembles such as The Family, God's Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC) ...
, A-1 Swift, CMC's and Mary Mary. Mr. Solo died on May 23, 2020.


Discography

*'' Gang Affiliated'' (1994) *'' Do or Die'' (1995) *'' I Can See Clearly Now'' (1999) *''
The Exodus The Exodus (Hebrew: יציאת מצרים, ''Yeẓi’at Miẓrayim'': ) is the founding myth of the Israelites whose narrative is spread over four books of the Torah (or Pentateuch, corresponding to the first five books of the Bible), namely E ...
'' (2002) *'' All Mixed Up'' (2003 unauthorized remix CD) *'' The Flood'' (2006) *'' Street's Disciples'' (2011) *''Defenders of the Faith'' (2013)


Compilation

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


References


External links


Interview at Gospelflava.comFBTL
{{Authority control Hip hop groups from California Musical groups from Los Angeles Christian hip hop groups Bloods Crips