Gawvi
{{short description|American rapper}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = GAWVI
| image = Gawvi.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Gawvi in a photo similar to his album cover of Heathen
| birth_name = Gabriel Alberto Azucena
| alias = G-Styles
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|9|23}}
| birth_place = The Bronx, New York, U.S.
| origin = Broward County, Florida, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|trap|CEDM|CCM|Christian rap}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|rapper|music producer}}
| 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,{{cite web|title=Songwriter/Composer: AZUCENA GABRIEL ALBERTO|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25&querytype=WriterID&keyid=1187966&keyname=AZUCENA+GABRIEL+ALBERTO&CAE=528188431&Affiliation=ASCAP|publisher=Broadcast Music, Inc.|author=Broadcast Music, Inc.|author-link=Broadcast Music, Inc.|access-date=January 17, 2016}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} in The Bronx, New York,{{cite tweet|user=GAWVI|author=gawvi|number=432226047531438080|date=8 February 2014|title=Gawvi: mom thank you... Mom: for what? Gawvi: for making my birth place be Bronx New York! Mom: your welcome 😜🙌|accessdate=January 17, 2016 }}{{cite tweet|user=GAWVI|author=gawvi|number=514394238067699712|date=23 September 2014|title=I love that on my birthday, I'm going back to my birth place! #NewYork|accessdate=January 17, 2016 }}{{cite tweet|user=GAWVI|author=gawvi|number=377205197493137408|date=9 September 2013|title=@Lilia_Huerta73 I'm 24 about to be 25 years old on September 23rd if anyone wants to get ya boi a gift!! Lol|accessdate=January 17, 2016 }} to a father from El Salvador and a mother from the Dominican Republic.{{cite tweet|user=GAWVI|author=gawvi|number=275298060236636161|date=2 December 2012|title=@octoseven I was born in New York, father is from El Salvador, mother is from Dominican Republic.}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Huckabee |first=Tyler |date=2022-02-01 |title=Reach Records Has Severed Ties With GAWVI Following Allegations of Unsolicited Explicit Photos |url=https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/reach-records-has-severed-ties-with-gawvi-following-allegations-of-unsolicited-explicit-photos/ |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=RELEVANT |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=2022-02-01 |title=Christian Hip-Hop Artist Gawvi Dropped by Reach Records After Allegations of Unsolicited Explicit Photos |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/gawvi-allegations-dropped-reach-records-1235025608/ |access-date=2022-03-06 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-01 |title=Reach Records Terminates GAWVI From Label After Claims of Sexual Misconduct [Statement] |url=https://rapzilla.com/2022-01-reach-records-terminates-gawvi-label-claims-sexual-misconduct/ |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=Rapzilla |language=en-US}} 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.{{cite journal|first=Juan|last=Vidal|title=Meet Gawvi, Producer of the No. 1 Album in the Country |journal=Esquire |url=http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/news/a30057/meet-gawvi/ |access-date=January 17, 2016 |date=September 21, 2014}}{{cite web|first=Paul|last=Martinez|title=Gawvi a/k/a G-Styles Joins Reach Records, Unveils DBGN2 Details |publisher=Jam the Hype |url=http://jamthehype.com/gawvi-aka-g-styles-joins-reach-records-unveils-dbgn2-details/|access-date=January 17, 2016 |date=August 28, 2013}}{{cite web |first=Daniel |last=Cody |title=Full Interview with Gawvi |publisher=Wade-O Radio |url=http://wadeoradio.com/full-interview-with-gawvi/ |access-date=January 17, 2016 |date=January 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207032300/http://wadeoradio.com/full-interview-with-gawvi/ |archive-date=February 7, 2016 |url-status=dead }} His career led to him acquiring a recording contract with Reach Records as both an artist and in-house record producer.{{cite journal|first=Victoria|last=Hernandez|title=Reach Records Signs GAWVI |journal=HipHopDX |url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.37063/title.reach-records-signs-gawvi |access-date=January 17, 2016 |date=January 16, 2016}} 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.{{cite web|author=GMA Dove Award|author-link=GMA Dove Award|title=Search: GAWVI|url=http://doveawards.com/awards/2015-winners/|publisher=Gospel Music Association|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927030315/http://doveawards.com/awards/2015-winners/|archive-date=September 27, 2018|url-status=dead}}
=''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{{Cite news|url=http://www.ccmmagazine.com/reviews/gawvi-we-belong-album-review/|title=GAWVI - 'We Belong' album review|last=Conner|first=Matt|date=2017-03-31|work=CCM Magazine|access-date=April 3, 2017|language=en-US}} and debuting at No. 19 in iTunes.{{Cite web|url=http://www.itunescharts.net/us/charts/albums/2017/03/31|title=iTunesCharts.net: US Albums Friday, 31st March 2017|website=www.itunescharts.net|language=en|access-date=April 3, 2017}} 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),{{cite web |title=GAWVI 'PANORAMA' Album Cover & Tracklist Revealed |url=https://rapzilla.com/2018-10-gawvi-panorama-album-cover-tracklist-revealed/ |website=rapzilla.com|date=3 October 2018 }} which won Rap/Hip Hop song of the year at the 50th GMA Dove Awards.{{cite web |title=Past Winners |url=https://doveawards.com/awards/past-winners/ |website=doveawards.com}}
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.{{cite web |title=51st Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees Announced |url=https://doveawards.com/51st-annual-gma-dove-awards-nominees-announced/ |website=doveawards.com |access-date=January 31, 2022 |archive-date=February 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201010049/https://doveawards.com/51st-annual-gma-dove-awards-nominees-announced/ |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://rapzilla.com/2021-03-gawvi-drops-full-spanish-project-noche-juvenil-listen-here/ |website=rapzilla.com |access-date=January 31, 2022 |title=GAWVI Drops Full Spanish Project 'Noche Juvenil' & 'Dicen' music video [Listen Here] |date=26 March 2021 |archive-date=1 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201010054/https://rapzilla.com/2021-03-gawvi-drops-full-spanish-project-noche-juvenil-listen-here/ |url-status=dead }} On January 30, 2022, Reach Records ended their professional relationship with Gawvi.{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=2022-02-01 |title=Christian Hip-Hop Artist Gawvi Dropped by Reach Records After Allegations of Unsolicited Explicit Photos |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/gawvi-allegations-dropped-reach-records-1235025608/ |access-date=2022-03-06 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-02-01 |title=Reach Records Terminates GAWVI From Label After Claims of Sexual Misconduct [Statement] |url=https://rapzilla.com/2022-01-reach-records-terminates-gawvi-label-claims-sexual-misconduct/ |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=Rapzilla |language=en-US}}
= 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. The album featured many styles ranging from hip-hop, dance, to reggaeton.
Discography
=Albums=
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of selected albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="3" | Peak chart positions |
| style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US Chr. !style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US !style="width:3em; font-size:90%"|US |
|---|
| scope="row"|Lost In Hue
|
| 8 | 2 | 18 |
| scope="row"|Holding Hue
|
| 11 | 4 | 42 |
| scope="row"|954
|
| — | — | — |
| colspan="5" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
=Singles=
==As a lead artist==
| class="wikitable" style="width:65%; text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Title !colspan="2"| Peak chart positions !rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Christ. {{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/music/gawvi/chart-history/christian-songs |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180512073804/https://www.billboard.com/music/gawvi/chart-history/christian-songs |url-status= dead |archive-date= May 12, 2018 |title= Gawvi Chart History {{!}} Billboard |magazine= Billboard |version= Hot Christian Songs |publisher= Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group |access-date= January 3, 2019}} ! scope="row"| Christ. |
| 2016
|"In the Water" | 48 | 30 | style="text-align:left" |Lost in Hue |
| rowspan="10" | 2017
|"Closer" | 37 | 28 | rowspan="4" style="text-align:left" |We Belong |
| "God Speed" (featuring Andy Mineo & KB) | 43 | — |
| "Rock N Roll" (featuring ELHAE) | 34 | — |
| "Like We Belong"
| — | 34 |
| "Diamonds" (featuring Jannine Weigel) | — | — | rowspan="2" {{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
| "High Note"
| — | — |
| "Moments"
| — | — | rowspan="4" style="text-align:left" |954 |
| "Thrills"
| — | — |
| "Bros" (featuring Madiel Lara) | — | — |
| "Hit the Lotto" (featuring 1K Phew) | — | — |
| rowspan="5" | 2018
| "Slingshot" | — | — | style="text-align:left" rowspan="5"| 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" | — | — | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |
| rowspan="2"| 2020
| "Not Too Far" | — | — | rowspan="2" style="text-align:left" |Heathen |
| "Climate Change" (featuring Aklesso and Wordsplayed) | — | — |
| rowspan="1"| 2021
| "Qué Pasó" | — | — | rowspan="1" style="text-align:left" |Noche Juvenil |
| colspan="5" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
==As a featured artist==
| class="wikitable" style="width:65%; text-align:center;" |
| scope="row"| Year
!scope="row"| Title !scope="row"| Album |
|---|
| 2013
| "P.Y.I.T.F." | style="text-align:left" | Dope Beats, Good News, Vol. 2 |
| 2015
| "Boogie Tonight" | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |
| 2019
| "Glory" | style="text-align:left" | Summer Nineteen |
| 2021
| "Zone" | style="text-align:left" | Renovada (EP) |
=Other appearances=
| class="wikitable" style="width:65%; text-align:center;" |
| scope="row"| Year
!scope="row"| Title !scope="row"| Album |
|---|
| 2012
| "Glow in the Dark" | style="text-align:left" | Misfits |
| 2014
| "Social Club Is Not Dead" | style="text-align:left" | Misfits 2 |
| 2016
| "Against All Adz" | style="text-align:left" | Clowntown |
| 2018
| "Angels" | style="text-align:left" | The Gift: A Christmas Compilation |
Awards
= GMA Dove Awards =
{{awards table}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2019 || "Fight For Me || Rap/Hip Hop Recorded of the Year || {{won}}
|-
| PANORAMA || Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year || {{nom}}
|}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.gawvi.com/}}
- [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gawvi-mn0003099573/credits AllMusic credits]
- {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEiF5jqmlv0|title=Gawvi "GET EM" VLOG 7|website=YouTube|date=19 May 2016 |access-date=November 23, 2017}}
{{116 Clique}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gawvi}}
Category:21st-century American male singers
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:American electronic dance music musicians
Category:American hip-hop record producers
Category:American hip-hop singers
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:American performers of Christian hip-hop
Category:Hispanic and Latino American rappers
Category:Hispanic and Latino American singers
Category:Performers of Christian electronic dance music
Category:Rappers from the Bronx
Category:Reach Records artists
Category:Record producers from Florida
Category:Record producers from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Record producers from New York (state)
Category:Singer-songwriters from Florida
Category:Singer-songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)