CULTURE

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT in those moments when our faith either be- college because Group 1 Crew began GROUP 1 CREW comes real, or we let it die. in my sophomore year. But college was Q: Are there any songs on the album that some of the best times of my life. I was by Adam York you think could speak specifically to col- a musical theater major, so there was so For the Dove Award-winning duo Group lege students? much about the music world I got to learn. 1 Crew, Fearless is not only the title of their BLANCA: I think every song on the al- MANWELL: My college season was the latest album; it’s a way of life. Combining bum can speak to college students. We best and the worst of times. I loved my the best of soul, pop, and hip-hop sounds, have songs for different moments in life. college. I went to Southeastern University Group 1 Crew’s Blanca Reyes Callahan and Whether it’s relationships, a cry out to God, in Lakeland, Fla., and I learned how to fol- Manwell Reyes are reaching audiences be- pain, joy … we make music for it all. low God, as well as how to nurse a broken yond the realm of Christian radio with their Q: Who are your biggest musical influ- heart. It was the first time I ever experi- unique sound and positive lyrics. In a unique ences? And who in the secular music world enced a broken heart, and I was at the right Q & A opportunity, our Collegiate staff had would you compare yourselves to? place for that season of my life. I had amaz- the opportunity to learn more about Group BLANCA: Some of my biggest musical ing friends around me, and I learned much 1 Crew’s musical journey and recent album. influences are Whitney Houston, Mariah about forgiveness. Q: How did you meet? And when did you Carey, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Kari Q: What advice would you give to today’s start making music together? Jobe, Natalie Grant, and Crystal Lewis. If I college students? BLANCA: We met about 10 years ago in were to compare G1C to any secular artist, BLANCA: Make the most of every moment. Orlando, Fla., and connected through a lo- it would be the Black Eyed Peas. One of the biggest things I regret during my cal church. Manwell and a friend decided Q: When you’re not playing music, what college days was always wanting the next to start a Bible study for musicians. That’s are some of your other passions? thing, the next big step, or wanting the pro- how Group 1 Crew got started. BLANCA: I spend so much time on the road cess to “move faster.” Soak it all up, give your MANWELL: We thought it would be great that I miss out on a lot of things that hap- best in every class, and live in the moment. to gather all the artists we knew and start pen back home. So I take every moment I MANWELL: I would encourage college stu- a group that would literally take over Or- can to spend with the people I love. dents to go after their dreams. College is lando with one vision, one faith, and one MANWELL: I go to the gym, have great the place where dreams rise or die. Don’t dream. We started doing music that day prayer time, chill with my wife watching be part of the latter. and haven’t stopped since. our favorite shows, and cruise around Q: What was the inspiration behind your Los Angeles. ADAM YORK is the editor of Collegiate. Among new album Fearless? Q: If applicable, tell us about your college his favorite hobbies are discovering new music MANWELL: The inspiration behind Fearless experience(s). What did you study, and and frequenting local music venues. was a belief that we’re more than our circum- how did that season of life prepare you for stances. Life will always hand us situations where you are now? that scare us or make us feel insecure, but it’s BLANCA: I didn’t get to graduate from

22 COLLEGIATE Fall 2013 LISTEN UP! — Group 1 Crew’s latest album, Fearless, is available on iTunes. Learn more about the duo at group1crew.com.