GIDEONZ ARMY (G.A.) Malachi flies down I75 with his top dropped and music from Gideonz Army blaring from his BOSE speakers. Pulling up to check the exit on his right and left Souljah and Monolog. They place a last minute call to the Pastor to make sure they’re getting off at the right exit. The Pastor? Yes, the hottest new hip-hop group coming out of Atlanta - Gideonz Army - Malachi, Souljah, and Monolog – are not the hip-hop artist you’re used to. They have been embraced by music lovers of every genre. Their music, which they call “JIP,” or “Kingdom Crunk” is what it would sound like if Lil Jon, Bonecrusher, Drake, Ludacris, T.I. and OutKast got together to create more inspirational, positive music. Rather than take the high-brow holier-than-thou art approach to bringing people closer to God, Gideonz Army also know as G.A., is following the word of Prophet Isaiah as written in Luke 3: 4-6 “make straight paths for him,” so that “crooked roads are straightened,” and the “rough ways are made smooth.” Although their style of ‘smoothin it out,’ may not be convent- ional, especially for traditional church goers, make no mistake, they represent God’s chosen. “We believe God has chosen us from the masses to complete a specific mission through our music ministry. For that reason, we chose T.I.’s production team to make sure our music is as good as and even better than that of most mainstream artists,” expresses Monolog. Gideonz Army aka GA knows the journey from the streets towards a more positive life all too well. Each walked in their own personal darkness before arriving in Atlanta to introduce something different to the Hip-Hop scene. Atlanta is a popular market for our type of music. Whether they have a personal connection with God or not, those who have heard our music, love it! We get a lot of love in the “A” and would like to see our music reach people outside of the church as well,” expresses Souljah People wanna label us as “Gospel Artist” when really we make good music across the board”. Malachi adds, “In addition to spreading the word of God, our goal is to change the way people view Christian rappers and enhance the lives of people by showing them there IS a better way of living.” While they met in Virginia as three original members of Tru Saints, each took a different journey to arrive in Atlanta and believe that G.A. is ground zero positioning to put in place their strategy. MALACHI Born in East St. Louis, IL and raised in Humboldt Tennessee, Malachi, didn’t think he’d ever be able to speak without stumbling over his words much less become an emcee. “My brothers had a rap group coming up called The Rightjust Rappers and I couldn’t join because I had this crazy stuttering problem. I wanted it so bad, but I couldn’t get my words together in a conversation much less on the microphone.” Determined to show the power of faith and perseverance, Malachi’s father, Pastor Bob Williams, stood with his son in front of the mirror calling on Jesus for healing. Almost instantly, Malachi’s stuttering problem was cured. The experience was the first outward sign for Malachi that God wanted him to have full use of his voice. At the age of ten, he joined his brothers group then renamed, "The Life Row Boys." Malachi stayed with Life Row until he made the decision to join The United States Air Force at 18. While the military is known for its discipline and order, for Malachi it was an introduction to alcohol, drugs, secular music, and fast women. Although he came from a strict Christian family, away from his family, he was lured into the fast-life and his lyrics at the time weren’t ‘right’ or ‘just.” Nonetheless, he was offered a six million dollar deal by Universal Records, but there was one stipulation in his contract; he couldn’t refer to “Jesus” or “God” in his lyrics. God was testing Malachi to see if the gift of speech he’d given him would be used to truly honor his Word. Like Jesus and even Judas, he was offered all the trappings of the world, if he’d denied his relationship with God. Although Malachi was living in the streets, this was a deal-breaker. Although he wasn’t using his talent for God, he remembered that his voice was given to him by God. He rejected the recording deal and left the music industry. Ironically his absence from the microphone led him back to his old lifestyle. He was caught distributing marijuana on the military base and spent four months in prison before being dishonorably discharged. After his release, Malachi returned to Humboldt, TN, married, and tried to get his life back together. However hanging around the wrong people sent his life spiraling backward and he got addicted to coc*ine. While battling his addiction, Malachi received an e-mail from a ministry in Norfolk, Virginia requesting him for a show. While he’d been performing since he was ten, the show at that ministry felt different to Malachi. He’d never felt the calling into music ministry so strongly. After performing three shows at that , Malachi, returned to TN with his faith renewed, gave away all his belongings, and he and his wife moved Norfolk changing their lives forever. He grew stronger spiritually and joined Tru Saints, the church’s gospel rap group. They appeared on Christian Artist Talent Search and Showtime at The Apollo before Malachi was called to take his music ministry to Atlanta. In June of 2009, he and his family moved to Atlanta to form Gideonz Army aka GA with Monolog and Souljah. SOULJAH Born and raised on the rough streets of Savannah, GA’s east side, Souljah, also fell in love with hip-hop early in age. “At 14, he formed a hip-hop group called” Klique Tite” with two of his closes friends. They started writing, recording, and arranging music in a make-shift home studio, but unfortunately they got caught in the system and their dreams of making it big together disappeared.” Souljah continued to pursue his music dreams and won many Talent Shows throughout his high school years. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy as an escape from the streets; however the hood followed him to the military instillation in Chicago, IL. Like his old group members, he affiliated with the gang and started selling drugs. After a brief time in military jail for an alleged assault and robbery, he began to pray for change in his life and his prayers were answered. Souljah received orders to report to Norfolk, Virginia and that’s where God would change his life forever. Still pursuing a record deal, Souljah signed with an already established hip-hop group in Newport News, Virginia but God had other plans! A co-worker invited Souljah to Wednesday night Bible Study at a ministry in Norfolk, Virginia where the pastor preached a life altering message. Intrigued, Souljah recommitted himself to Christ and joined that same ministry the following Sunday. He also joined gospel recording group, Tru Saints where he wrote, arranged, and performed music for nearly a decade before feeling the pull to bring his ministry to Atlanta, GA. Not knowing at the time that Malachi and Monolog were also considering the same move. For Souljah, that was a confirmation that Tru Saints needed to take their music ministry to the next level. He consulted with his wife and together they made the decision to move the family to Atlanta, Georgia. After much prayer and studying of the scripture, the group renamed themselves "Gideonz Army,” God's chosen few. Their mission is to take the gospel in the form of hip-hop/ popular music and spread it throughout the world. MONOLOG Born and raised in Austell, Georgia on Six Flags Drive, Monolog’s name is a simple breakdown of word – ‘Mono’ meaning one and L-O-G an acronym for "Leaning on God" inspired by Proverb 3: 5-6 which states “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” He considers each song and each verse a chance to deliver a life changing “monologue.” Like Malachi and Souljah, his life experience also inspires his music ministry. Although not proud of his past affiliation with gangs and drugs, a couple of trips to jail have shaped his testimony and given him a personal connection to young people from the streets. Growing up in church, Monolog always had a relationship with God; however pursuing a career as a secular rap artist attracted a lifestyle that drew him away from the church. A handsome, smooth-talker, his weakness for the ladies led him looking for ‘love in the clubs.’ Not too sure if college was right for him, after graduating from South Cobb High School, Dontae joined the military. While stationed in Norfolk, VA., he met his wife and gave his life to Christ at a ministry in Norfolk, Virginia. He joined Tru Saints where he met the other two members of Gideonz Army, Souljah, and Monolog. After his military tour was over, he returned to Atlanta with his family, Souljah, and Monolog recommitted to spreading God’s message through music. In the Bible (Judges 7:1-7), Gideon had a large army preparing for war. He started with over 22,000 but those who were afraid to die were the first eliminated, leaving 10,000, but God said the army was still too large, so he sent them down to the water to drink and told Gideon to select his warriors from those who lapped with their hands to their mouths. Three hundred of the men lapped with their hands to their mouths; while all the rest got down on their knees to drink. God selected the 300 and with God’s blessing, Gideon won the war. So we believe that God chooses few out of many to complete a specific mission for him. GA isn’t just for the 144,000 that the scripture says will be chosen at judgment, but for all who are searching for the presence of God in their lives.” (Written by Jackie O)