Gawvi Explained

GAWVI
Birth Name:Gabriel Alberto Azucena
Alias:G-Styles
Birth Date:23 September 1988
Birth Place:The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Origin:Broward County, Florida, U.S.
Instrument:Vocals
Years Active:2008–Present
Associated Acts:Madiel Lara, Lecrae, Trip Lee, Social Club, Rhema Soul, Wordsplayed, Derek Minor, Alex Medina, Tedashii, Andy Mineo, KB, Tau

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."

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

Gawvi 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] Reach Records subsequently ended their professional relationship with him.

Music career

Career beginnings, record producing, and Reach Records (2008–2015)

He 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)

On 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)

Gawvi 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.[20] [21]

Atmostfear (Late 2022-Present)

On 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

Albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
Chr.

[22]
US
D/E.

[23]
US
Gos.

[24]
US
Ind.

[25]
Dope Beats, Good News, Vol. 2 31
We Belong
  • Debut album
  • Released: March 31, 2017
    • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
7717
Panorama
  • Second album
  • Released: October 19, 2018
    • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
1644
Heathen
  • Third album
  • Released: April 10, 2020
    • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Noche Juvenil
  • Fourth album
  • Released: March 26, 2021
    • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
ATMOSTFEAR
  • Fifth album
  • Released: July 02, 2024
  • Label: Alienz Alive
  • Format: Streaming
"—" 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.[26]

Extended plays

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
Chr.

US
D/E.

US
Ind.

Lost In Hue 8218
Holding Hue
  • Released: September 9, 2016
    • Format: Digital download, streaming
11442
954
  • Released: December 15, 2017
    • Format: Digital download, streaming
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

As a lead artist

YearTitlePeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Christ.

[27]
Christ.
Airplay

[28]
2016"In the Water"4830Lost in Hue
2017"Closer"
(featuring RobbieLee & Julissa Leilani)
3728We Belong
"God Speed"
(featuring Andy Mineo & KB)
43
"Rock N Roll"
(featuring ELHAE)
34
"Like We Belong"34
"Diamonds"
(featuring Jannine Weigel)
rowspan="2"
"High Note"
"Moments"954
"Thrills"
"Bros"
(featuring Madiel Lara)
"Hit the Lotto"
(featuring 1K Phew)
2018"Slingshot"Panorama
"Fight For Me"
(featuring Lecrae)
2535
"Fashion Joe"
(featuring KB)
"Get Em"
(featuring Aklesso, Rhomar Jessy & TROSSTHEGIANT)
"With You"50
2019"Hope You Say"
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

YearTitleAlbum
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)
2019"Glory"
(WHATUPRG featuring Gawvi)
Summer Nineteen
2021"Zone"
(Blanca featuring Gawvi)
Renovada (EP)

Other appearances

YearTitleAlbum
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

GMA Dove Awards

|-|rowspan="2"| 2019 || "Fight For Me || Rap/Hip Hop Recorded of the Year || |-| PANORAMA || Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year || |}

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Songwriter/Composer: AZUCENA GABRIEL ALBERTO. Broadcast Music, Inc.. Broadcast Music, Inc.. Broadcast Music, Inc.. January 17, 2016.
  2. GAWVI. gawvi. 432226047531438080. 8 February 2014. Gawvi: mom thank you... Mom: for what? Gawvi: for making my birth place be Bronx New York! Mom: your welcome . January 17, 2016 .
  3. GAWVI. gawvi. 514394238067699712. 23 September 2014. I love that on my birthday, I'm going back to my birth place! #NewYork. January 17, 2016 .
  4. GAWVI. gawvi. 377205197493137408. 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. January 17, 2016 .
  5. GAWVI. gawvi. 275298060236636161. 2 December 2012. @octoseven I was born in New York, father is from El Salvador, mother is from Dominican Republic..
  6. Web site: Huckabee . Tyler . 2022-02-01 . Reach Records Has Severed Ties With GAWVI Following Allegations of Unsolicited Explicit Photos . 2022-03-06 . RELEVANT . en-US.
  7. Aniftos . Rania . 2022-02-01 . Christian Hip-Hop Artist Gawvi Dropped by Reach Records After Allegations of Unsolicited Explicit Photos . 2022-03-06 . . en-US.
  8. Web site: 2022-02-01 . Reach Records Terminates GAWVI From Label After Claims of Sexual Misconduct [Statement] ]. 2022-03-04 . Rapzilla . en-US.
  9. Juan. Vidal. Meet Gawvi, Producer of the No. 1 Album in the Country . . January 17, 2016 . September 21, 2014.
  10. Web site: Paul. Martinez. Gawvi a/k/a G-Styles Joins Reach Records, Unveils DBGN2 Details . Jam the Hype . January 17, 2016 . August 28, 2013.
  11. Web site: Daniel . Cody . Full Interview with Gawvi . Wade-O Radio . January 17, 2016 . January 24, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160207032300/http://wadeoradio.com/full-interview-with-gawvi/ . February 7, 2016 . dead .
  12. Victoria. Hernandez. Reach Records Signs GAWVI . . January 17, 2016 . January 16, 2016.
  13. Web site: GMA Dove Award. GMA Dove Award. Search: GAWVI. Gospel Music Association. January 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180927030315/http://doveawards.com/awards/2015-winners/. September 27, 2018. dead.
  14. News: GAWVI - 'We Belong' album review. Conner. Matt. 2017-03-31. CCM Magazine. April 3, 2017. en-US.
  15. Web site: iTunesCharts.net: US Albums Friday, 31st March 2017. www.itunescharts.net. en. April 3, 2017.
  16. Web site: GAWVI 'PANORAMA' Album Cover & Tracklist Revealed . rapzilla.com. 3 October 2018 .
  17. Web site: Past Winners . doveawards.com.
  18. Web site: 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees Announced . doveawards.com . January 31, 2022 . February 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201010049/https://doveawards.com/51st-annual-gma-dove-awards-nominees-announced/ . dead .
  19. Web site: GAWVI Drops Full Spanish Project 'Noche Juvenil' & 'Dicen' music video [Listen Here] . rapzilla.com . January 31, 2022 . 26 March 2021 . 1 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201010054/https://rapzilla.com/2021-03-gawvi-drops-full-spanish-project-noche-juvenil-listen-here/ . dead .
  20. Aniftos . Rania . 2022-02-01 . Christian Hip-Hop Artist Gawvi Dropped by Reach Records After Allegations of Unsolicited Explicit Photos . 2022-03-06 . . en-US.
  21. Web site: 2022-02-01 . Reach Records Terminates GAWVI From Label After Claims of Sexual Misconduct [Statement] ]. 2022-03-04 . Rapzilla . en-US.
  22. Gawvi Chart History Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20190103235350/https://www.billboard.com/music/gawvi/chart-history/christian-albums . dead . January 3, 2019 . . . Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group . January 3, 2019.
  23. Gawvi Chart History Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20190103232322/https://www.billboard.com/music/gawvi/chart-history/dance-electronic-albums . dead . January 3, 2019 . . . Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group . January 3, 2019.
  24. Gawvi Chart History Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20190104002440/https://www.billboard.com/music/gawvi/chart-history/gospel-albums . dead . January 4, 2019 . . . Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group . January 3, 2019.
  25. Gawvi Chart History Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20190103235400/https://www.billboard.com/music/gawvi/chart-history/independent-albums . dead . January 3, 2019 . . . Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group . January 3, 2019.
  26. Web site: Why Grammy Winner Lecrae Will Never Dominate the Gospel Charts Again... News & Reporting Christianity Today . Shellnut . Kate . February 15, 2015 . . January 3, 2019.
  27. Gawvi Chart History Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20180512073804/https://www.billboard.com/music/gawvi/chart-history/christian-songs . dead . May 12, 2018 . . . Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group . January 3, 2019.
  28. Gawvi Chart History Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20190103222132/https://www.billboard.com/music/gawvi/chart-history/christian-airplay . dead . January 3, 2019 . . . Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group . January 3, 2019.