This is t Simply Gospel Television NEWS This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24:1 July 2020 Editor - Lin French

In Memoriam over in a matter of moments with his skill and humility. By the time the group performed the album version of the MR. SOLO record, the audience, full of quartet-gospel radio DJ’s and Truly One of A Kind choir music fans was in a frenzy. Although a teenager at the time, I realized that I had by Michael French, II, Ph.D. I Can See just witnessed something special. B-Rite, My uncle started Clearly 1999 the group’s then label did a wonderful job a Christian rap of promoting the seminal album, sending group in the early out teasers to gospel industry members and supporting “I 19990s. SYG’z Can See Clearly Now” with polished music videos to the (Str8 Young album’s singles. Still, it was the music that blew me away. My Gangstaz 4 Christ). As an 11- first time hearing the album, I was floored. My astonishment year-old that was at the leap in superiority was hard to explain. This has only the coolest thing. happened to me two other times: My first time hearing Fred He’d take my Hammond’s Pages of Life (Chs. I & II) and Kirk Franklin’s cousins and I with God’s Property. In experiences like this, you can remember Aka. Charles Washington him to the studio and to Christian where you were when you heard the album, down to your rap events, which was awesome. However, location in the specific room you were in. Solo had so many one of the coolest parts was that Uncle Tone incredible moments on this standout album, but the one that knew Mr. Solo. To this day, my uncle is one I remember most was hearing the song “Operation of the most talented producer/rappers I’ve Liquidation.” He was defiant in his defense of his Christian ever heard. But Solo was the best rapper, rap ministry. He was resolute in the validity of his walk with period. It was unquestionable, undeniable, and not up for discussion. His lyrical Christ. He was bold in his rebuke of those who engaged in Gang dexterity made him a standout at any level hypocritical criticism of his music, while doing the very things Affiliated CD, of rap, but especially Christian rap. The they accused him of. It was a table-turning at the temple 1994 production quality of Solo’s group (Gospel moment that was both refreshing and needed. It reflected the Gangstaz aka 2 G’s) was unrivaled in Christian Hip Hop frustration of pioneering a genre that received withering, (CHH). When 2 G’s released “Gang Affiliated” in October of 1994, it was a seismic shift in the quality of the sub-genre. constant criticism from both church and secular audiences. The gritty lyrics were shocking to many Christian Rap fans, Yet it was powerful in its steadfastness to the core mission of and equally shocking was that the music was so good. any gospel endeavor spreading the message of Jesus Christ. Solo and the gang would go on to produce other fantastic I still remember my one friend that listened to gospel rap at albums, including “Exodus” in 2002, which contains school and me boldly chanting the lyrics to “Truth and Funk” “Caught Up,” which is possibly my favorite Christian rap from the group’s follow-up to their debut album, 1995’s “Do song of all time. But for me, Solo meant that we or Die.” We were so proud to have music we felt stood up to had a representative in Hip Hop. I can imagine worldly music’s production quality. However, it must have been similar to Apostle Paul’s the album that changed everything was the Exodus testimony to King Agrippa. Paul spoke under group’s 3rd full-length effort. Up to that point, the anointing. But he did it so skillfully and convincingly that Gospel Gangstaz had raised the bar in Agrippa said to Paul that he had nearly won him over to Christian Rap. Mr. Solo was the unquestioned leader of the Christ. That was a whale of a statement and a testament to group. He was a masterful stage presence. Prior to the release the power of Paul’s ministry. Solo was that light for Christian of the gospel hip-hop classic, 1999’s “I Can See Clearly youth who happened to love rap. He was the witness we Now,” I witnessed Mr. Solo do an acapella-poetry rendition could present to other rap fans. Years later in college, I was of the then upcoming single, “Once Was Blind.” He was in a conversation with a young man from Chicago. And premiering this record at a traditional gospel radio during the conversation convention. These were the people that weren’t sold on rap Continued ...... being viable in Christian form. Solo won the skeptical crowd

Continued .... Page 1 In Memoriam MR. SOLO Truly One Of A Kind by Michael French II Ph.D. MR. SOLO One Of A Kind he began to speak of the ills of the inner- contributions to music as a whole. I do not know if Solo Page 2 city. As he talked, he said one of his knew how much he meant to so many, whose walk with Continued . . . favorite songs addressing the plight of Christ was edified by the songs he performed. However, with urban youth contained the lyrics, “If I his passing in May of 2020, I am sure he knows now. In MR. SOLO don’t play sports, I’ll never see college”. Heaven, I am certain he has been made privy to the Nearly dumbfounded, I proclaimed, numerous souls that he won to Christ, how many he Page 3 “That’s Gospel Gangstaz!” He looked at encouraged to stay in Christ, and how many he helped to Billboard me almost sheepishly and said: “Yeah.” grow in Christ. His life is an example that what you do for Gospel National He was quoting Solo’s verse from the Christ will last forever. In my opinion he is the most Airplay song “I Call Your Name.” important Christian Rapper who ever lived. And I say that with respect to those who are enjoying massive success in Page 4 That moment was validating for me. That CHH today. This isn’t a comprehensive journalistic piece on Bill Bright’s 4 the music wasn’t just limited to my small the life and career of a legend, this is just one man wanting to spiritual Laws circle of friends and family, but there was say thank you to a Trailblazer who lit the way to Jesus in an a generation of young people from all area of culture that was so underserved. Thank you, Mr. Solo over who recognized the value of Solo’s . Page 5 and Rest in Heaven Feature Book Gospel Gangstaz Albums Gang Affiliated Men Of Gospo, Vol. 1 The Flood 2006 1994 2001

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