Gabriel Alberto Azucena (born September 23, 1988), who goes by the stage name GAWVI (formerly G-Styles), is an American Christian hip hop artist and music producer, formerly for Reach Records. Born in the Bronx, New York, he has released three extended plays, five albums, and twenty-three singles including his songs; "In the Water" and "Late Nights."
GAWVI | |
|---|---|
 Gawvi in a photo similar to his album cover of Heathen | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gabriel Alberto Azucena |
| Also known as | G-Styles |
| Born | September 23, 1988 The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Origin | Broward County, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2008–Present |
His career commenced in 2008, doing production work for Lecrae and Trip Lee, who continue to be his most consistent collaborators. In early 2016, he was officially signed to Reach Records. In early 2022, Reach ended their professional relationship with Gawvi after a sexual misconduct scandal.
Personal life
editGawvi was born Gabriel Alberto Azucena,[1] in The Bronx, New York,[2][3][4] to a father from El Salvador and a mother from the Dominican Republic.[5] He was raised in Miami, Florida.
He was married to Brianna Azucena. In January 2022 Gawvi announced that he had separated with her in 2020.[6][7] Shortly after this announcement, the visual and musical artist Cataphant claimed on Twitter that he had allegedly sent unsolicited pictures of his genitalia to multiple women.[8][6] Reach Records subsequently ended their professional relationship with him.[6][7]
Music career
editCareer beginnings, record producing, and Reach Records (2008–2015)
editHe started his music production career in 2008, most notably working with Lecrae and Trip Lee.[9][10][11] His career led to him acquiring a recording contract with Reach Records as both an artist and in-house record producer.[12] He won a GMA Dove Award at the 46th GMA Dove Awards in the category of Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, for his production work on Anomaly by Lecrae.[13]
Lost in Hue, Holding Hue, We Belong, and 954 (2016–2017)
editOn July 29, 2016, Gawvi released his debut extended play Lost in Hue. Jesus Freak Hideout rated the E.P. (extended play) three out of five stars, claiming it to be a unique move made by Reach. Lost in Hue flew off the shelves, sitting at No. 1 on the iTunes top-selling dance albums chart. On September 9, 2016, Gawvi released his second extend play, Holding Hue, and was given a five-star rating by JFH's Liam Jackson, who said that "Free" featuring T-Jay was the only song that was "not that good.” On March 31, 2017, he released his debut studio album We Belong, to acclaim in the CCM (contemporary Christian music) community[14] and debuting at No. 19 in iTunes.[15] Gawvi received his second Dove Award in 2017 for his production on Trip Lee's album The Waiting Room.
Panorama, Heathen, and Noche Juvenil (2018–Early 2022)
editGawvi released his second album Panorama on October 17, 2018, featuring the song "Fight for Me" (with Lecrae),[16] which won Rap/Hip Hop song of the year at the 50th GMA Dove Awards.[17] On April 10, 2020, Gawvi released his third album, Heathen, which was nominated for Rap/Hip Hop album of the year at the 51st GMA Dove Awards.[18] On March 26, 2021, Gawvi released his fourth full album, Noche Juvenil, which featured all songs recorded in Spanish, featuring Spanish-speaking artists from the Christian hip hop scene.[19] On January 30, 2022, Reach Records ended their professional relationship with Gawvi.[7][8]
Atmostfear (Late 2022-Present)
editOn October 9, 2022, Gawvi announced his next album Atmostfear. The album is currently scheduled for a 2023 release with the only known track being "Doors Down" with 1K Phew.
Gawvi released his fifth album "ATMOSTFEAR" on July 2, 2024 under the Alienz Alive label founded by Rodney "Darkchild" Jenkins.
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Chr. [20] |
US D/E. [21] |
US Gos. [22] |
US Ind. [23] | ||
| Dope Beats, Good News, Vol. 2 |
|
— | — | 31 | — |
| We Belong |
|
7 | 7 | — | 17 |
| Panorama |
|
16 | — | — | 44 |
| Heathen |
|
— | — | — | — |
| Noche Juvenil |
|
— | — | — | — |
| ATMOSTFEAR |
|
— | — | — | — |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||
| Note: Beginning in 2015, Billboard rendered most hip hop/rap albums ineligible for the Gospel charts.[24] | |||||
Extended plays
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Chr. [20] |
US D/E. [21] |
US Ind. [23] | ||
| Lost In Hue |
|
8 | 2 | 18 |
| Holding Hue |
|
11 | 4 | 42 |
| 954 |
|
— | — | — |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||
Singles
editAs a lead artist
edit| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Christ. [25] |
Christ. Airplay [26] | |||
| 2016 | "In the Water" | 48 | 30 | Lost in Hue |
| 2017 | "Closer" (featuring RobbieLee & Julissa Leilani) |
37 | 28 | We Belong |
| "God Speed" (featuring Andy Mineo & KB) |
43 | — | ||
| "Rock N Roll" (featuring ELHAE) |
34 | — | ||
| "Like We Belong" | — | 34 | ||
| "Diamonds" (featuring Jannine Weigel) |
— | — | Non-album singles | |
| "High Note" | — | — | ||
| "Moments" | — | — | 954 | |
| "Thrills" | — | — | ||
| "Bros" (featuring Madiel Lara) |
— | — | ||
| "Hit the Lotto" (featuring 1K Phew) |
— | — | ||
| 2018 | "Slingshot" | — | — | Panorama |
| "Fight For Me" (featuring Lecrae) |
25 | 35 | ||
| "Fashion Joe" (featuring KB) |
— | — | ||
| "Get Em" (featuring Aklesso, Rhomar Jessy & TROSSTHEGIANT) |
— | — | ||
| "With You" | — | 50 | ||
| 2019 | "Hope You Say" | — | — | Non-album single |
| 2020 | "Not Too Far" | — | — | Heathen |
| "Climate Change" (featuring Aklesso and Wordsplayed) |
— | — | ||
| 2021 | "Qué Pasó" | — | — | Noche Juvenil |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||
As a featured artist
edit| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | "P.Y.I.T.F." (Rhema Soul featuring Gawvi, Spzrkt, Rey King & Social Club) |
Dope Beats, Good News, Vol. 2 |
| 2015 | "Boogie Tonight" (Eximio featuring Gawvi & Ruslan) |
Non-album single |
| 2019 | "Glory" (WHATUPRG featuring Gawvi) |
Summer Nineteen |
| 2021 | "Zone" (Blanca featuring Gawvi) |
Renovada (EP) |
Other appearances
edit| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "Glow in the Dark" (Social Club featuring Gawvi) |
Misfits (EP) |
| 2014 | "Social Club Is Not Dead" (Social Club featuring Gawvi) |
Misfits 2 |
| 2016 | "Against All Adz" (Wordsplayed featuring Gawvi) |
Clowntown |
| 2018 | "Angels" (116 featuring Gawvi) |
The Gift: A Christmas Compilation |
Awards
editGMA Dove Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "Fight For Me | Rap/Hip Hop Recorded of the Year | Won |
| PANORAMA | Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Broadcast Music, Inc. "Songwriter/Composer: AZUCENA GABRIEL ALBERTO". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved January 17, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ gawvi [@GAWVI] (8 February 2014). "Gawvi: mom thank you... Mom: for what? Gawvi: for making my birth place be Bronx New York! Mom: your welcome 😜🙌" (Tweet). Retrieved January 17, 2016 – via Twitter.
- ^ gawvi [@GAWVI] (23 September 2014). "I love that on my birthday, I'm going back to my birth place! #NewYork" (Tweet). Retrieved January 17, 2016 – via Twitter.
- ^ gawvi [@GAWVI] (9 September 2013). "@Lilia_Huerta73 I'm 24 about to be 25 years old on September 23rd if anyone wants to get ya boi a gift!! Lol" (Tweet). Retrieved January 17, 2016 – via Twitter.
- ^ gawvi [@GAWVI] (2 December 2012). "@octoseven I was born in New York, father is from El Salvador, mother is from Dominican Republic" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c Huckabee, Tyler (2022-02-01). "Reach Records Has Severed Ties With GAWVI Following Allegations of Unsolicited Explicit Photos". RELEVANT. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
- ^ a b c Aniftos, Rania (2022-02-01). "Christian Hip-Hop Artist Gawvi Dropped by Reach Records After Allegations of Unsolicited Explicit Photos". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
- ^ a b "Reach Records Terminates GAWVI From Label After Claims of Sexual Misconduct [Statement]". Rapzilla. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
- ^ Vidal, Juan (September 21, 2014). "Meet Gawvi, Producer of the No. 1 Album in the Country". Esquire. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
- ^ Martinez, Paul (August 28, 2013). "Gawvi a/k/a G-Styles Joins Reach Records, Unveils DBGN2 Details". Jam the Hype. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
- ^ Cody, Daniel (January 24, 2015). "Full Interview with Gawvi". Wade-O Radio. Archived from the original on February 7, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
- ^ Hernandez, Victoria (January 16, 2016). "Reach Records Signs GAWVI". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
- ^ GMA Dove Award. "Search: GAWVI". Gospel Music Association. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
- ^ Conner, Matt (2017-03-31). "GAWVI - 'We Belong' album review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ "iTunesCharts.net: US Albums Friday, 31st March 2017". www.itunescharts.net. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ "GAWVI 'PANORAMA' Album Cover & Tracklist Revealed". rapzilla.com. 3 October 2018.
- ^ "Past Winners". doveawards.com.
- ^ "51st Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees Announced". doveawards.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ "GAWVI Drops Full Spanish Project 'Noche Juvenil' & 'Dicen' music video [Listen Here]". rapzilla.com. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ a b "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Christian Albums. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ a b "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Dance/Electronic Albums. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Top Gospel Albums. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ a b "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Independent Albums. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ Shellnut, Kate (February 15, 2015). "Why Grammy Winner Lecrae Will Never Dominate the Gospel Charts Again... | News & Reporting | Christianity Today". Christianity Today. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on May 12, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Christian Airplay. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
External links
edit- Official website
- AllMusic credits
- "Gawvi "GET EM" VLOG 7". YouTube. 19 May 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2017.