Reach Records' six-time Dove award-winning artist GAWVI, is prepared to ruffle some feathers with his third full-length album, Heathen set to release on April 10, 2020. The EDM / Hip hop artist has been known to push boundaries in music as evidenced by his two RIAA Certified Gold Records for production ("Anomaly", Lecrae: "You Can't Stop Me", Andy Mineo) and as a solo artist shown in his debut album We Belong and sophomore project Panorama. Heathen will be no different as GAWVI aims to push against the Christian culture in hopes to deconstruct unhealthy cultural norms.
"Heathen is the album I feel most confident and true to myself especially with all the confusion going on in the world," shares GAWVI. "With this record, I wanted to say 'hey world, I've been labeled as a heathen, not because I am a sinner or a bad person, but because I went against the 'Christian culture mold'."
He continues, "Heathen actually means Ethnos in Greek, which stands for ethnicity and it also means gentiles. When it is used in the Bible, it is described as a person who was not Jewish or someone with a different cultural background. So it got me thinking, how did this word get lost in translation? And I realized, this is what happens to us as humans. At the beginning God designed us to be who we are meant to be, yet we let labels influence us and shape our identity. So I want to embrace the word 'heathen', and do something different with the Christian culture, and let people know that it is okay to live outside of the norm. When someone says to me 'what you are doing is not normal', my response is 'thank you'."
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01.
Difficult
02.
JIT
03.
SKULL
04.
Climate Change (feat. Aklesso & Wordsplayed)
05.
Not Too Far
06.
SIN
07.
GIRL
08.
So Alive
09.
All of Me
10.
Who You Gon' Be (feat. Israel Houghton & Trip Lee)
Confidence Transformed into Excellence| Posted April 10, 2020 What You Need To Know GAWVI, born Gabriel Alberto Azucena, has been connected to Reach Records since 2008. He signed on as a producer; His most notable work with the label is Trip Lee’s Rise and Lecrae’s Anomaly. Then, in early 2016, he extended his presence at Reach Records as an artist to handcraft beautiful projects of his own. To date, he has released three EPs; Heathen will mark his third full-length album ahead of Panorama and We Belong.
The progression throughout his full-length projects leading up to Heathen’s release has been personal and transparent. Each track on each album standout. GAWVI keeps featuring artists to a minimum. Who he chooses are either close friends or iconic figures who have greatly impacted his life. Handling both sides of the art through production and artistry highlights his immense talent.
GAWVI has received a number of accolades since joining Reach Records. He's won six Dove Awards, including Hip-Hop song of the Year for his single, "Fight For Me" feat. Lecrae, and Hip-Hop Album of the Year for his production work on Lecrae's Anomaly. Moreover, GAWVI's music has achieved success on the charts: his Lost In HueEP peaked at number two on Billboard's Electronic/Dance chart and his single "In the Water" hit the top spot on the Christian CHR Songs chart. Also, Andy Mineo’s single, "You Can't Stop Me," which GAWVI produced, received an RIAA Certified Gold certification. GAWVI strives to push limits regardless of the numerous often-faced obstacles.
For Heathen, GAWVI enlisted a few friends to join his story in album form. Five tracks contain featured artists ranging from music legend Israel Houghton, label mate Trip Lee, long-time friends Aklesso and Tommy Royale, among others. If you listen closely, you’ll hear a few other recognizable voices on track adlibs and supporting vocals.
Standout tracks include “Vanity,” “I’m Fine,” “Jesus You Are,” the lead single “Not Too Far,” and “Who You Gon’ Be” featuring Israel Houghton, and Trip Lee.
For our current exposure to a global pandemic, “Not Too Far” was quite timely as GAWVI reminds us that we’re never too far away from God and His love. Regardless of our struggles and our faith, He’s always present. The whole feel of “Vanity” just puts you in a good mood while simultaneously juggling some heavy topics, such as divorce and idolizing money. “Jesus You Are” blends worship and hip-hop, two of my favorite genres. Also, GAWVI puts his spin on a worship track over beautiful piano chords with "Jesus You Are." I’ll get to my infatuation with “Who You Gon’ Be” shortly.
Sonically, the entire album is pleasing to the soul and mind. A barrage of sounds exists, escaping the typical electronic dance music (EDM) model. Listeners' ears will be perked by the guitars, piano, and choir. The music makes it nearly impossible to keep the body from moving.
Spiritual Highlights
The content on Heathen speaks to GAWVI’s secure and longstanding faith in God. Between the worship feel of “Not Too Far” and “Jesus You Are” to the transparency shown on “Sin” and “I’m Fine,” listeners don't have to wait long to be exposed to God’s presence in GAWVI’s life. Even though some tracks hit the topic of faith harder than others, the entire album centers around God’s mark on GAWVI. Heathen is based around being different. Standing out in confidence. Affirming self in Christ. Once you listen to the album, you'll feel encouraged to strive for excellence.
Best Song on the Record
“Who You Gon’ Be” is the album's standout track. This isn’t solely due to the fact that a legend is featured. Honestly, Israel Houghton’s contribution to the song is small in comparison, yet profound. Houghton’s addition to the track was due to GAWVI’s appreciation for the icon. Trip Lee was the other featured artist on the song. What's great is that GAWVI, Trip, and Isreal mesh well together. I believe fans are going to love this track just as much as I do. I keep on repeat most days.
Final Word
Any project over 12 tracks is unheard of anymore, especially one with 17 tracks. At first listen, you may think a state of repetitive sounds may follow such a tracklist. However, the opposite applies. Listeners will feel more of a sense of completion. Although a few tracks have similar components, the content renews between tracks. A buffet of sounds appeases the ears. Finding his true sound along with strengthened confidence, the end product is one most listeners will enjoy. Heathen is one of GAWVI's best full-length projects. The albumsets itself apart from the mundane, recycled sound too many artists tap into. Well done.
Excellent Release from GAWVI| Posted April 29, 2020
Heathen is the third studio album by Christian hip-hop artist GAWVI. The 17-song album was produced by GAWVI and inspired by the letters of the Apostle Paul. The concept of a heathen is prevalent throughout the album, a word that GAWVI states has gotten lost in translation from how it was used in the Bible. He applies that to us, as we let labels influence and shape our identity.
GAWVI worked with a number of producers and co-writers on the album. There are also some special guests who make appearances. This is an excellent album, featuring some excellent beats.
Below are a few brief comments about each song: Difficult – This song was written by WHATUPRG and features vocals from GAWVI’s daughter Giana. The song was produced by Jonathan Barahona and GAWVI. The vocals come over keys and synth. If we knew him and we would hate him and disown him. He’s just trying to be different for his wife and children. Jit – This song was written by Aklesso, Wxlf, Rhomar Jessy, Andy Mineo and GAWVI. The song was produced by BEAM and GAWVI, and features vocals from Mineo. This song has a great beat. It was wonderful hearing Andy Mineo on this track about GAWVI’s story of coming to faith in Broward County, Florida. Skull – This song was written by Wxlf, Jon Jon, Rhomar Jessy and GAWVI, and produced by Jonathan Barahona and GAWVI. The song has a driving, hard-hitting beat. This is his version of the Psalms. He brings in the concept of heathen at the end of the song. Climate Change – This song was written by Aklesso, Wordsplayed and GAWVI, and produced by Kilawatts and GAWVI. The song features Aklesso and Wordsplayed. He doesn’t need lanes; he just needs God. He makes his music to the glory of God. Not Too Far - This song was written by Aklesso, Dalton Diehl and GAWVI, and produced by GAWVI. The song has an easy-going beat. No matter how far away one gets, when a heathen comes running home, God is going to love them (Romans 8: 38-39). Sin – This song was written by Daramola, Tray Haggerty, Ace Harris and GAWVI, and produced by Matt Cohen and GAWVI. The song features Daramola and Haggerty. The song features and easy-going beat, keys and backing vocals. He has sinned, and the devil wants him to think he won’t win, but through Christ’s victory on the cross, he has persevered. Girl – This song was written by Aklesso and GAWVI and produced by GAWVI.
This is an upbeat, R&B flavored love song with a good bass beat. He loves it when he sees his girl praise the Lord that way. So Alive – This mid-tempo song was written by Daramola, Konata Small, Ace Harris, Aklesso and GAWVI, and produced by Harris and GAWVI. The song features keys, percussion and bass. The song which at first appears to be a horizontal love song, is actually addressed to God. All of Me – This short song was written by Aklesso, Rhomar Jessy and GAWVI and produced by GAWVI. The song features the vocal over keys. All that he asks is that God sees him as His own when he sins. Who You Gon’ Be – This song was written by WHATUPRG, Rhomar Jessy, GAWVI, Israel Houghton and Trip Lee, and produced by Matt Cohen, BEAM and GAWVI. The song features Houghton, Lee and Cassandra Jolie. He asks “'Til you let go, 'til you let go, Who you gon' be inside?” Vanity – This song was written by Jonathan Barahona, Rhomar Jessy and GAWVI, and produced by Barahona and GAWVI and features Cassandra Jolie. The song has an excellent groove/beat with percussion and bass. His biggest fear is losing his wife. Many of his heroes have cheated. He references his words at the Dove Awards, saying he’s trying to find his way, dodging the flames. Criminal – This song was written by Daramola and GAWVI and produced by GAWVI. The song features Daramola, and keys, bass, percussion, backing vocals and an infectious beat. He doesn’t take it personal when people take shots at him. He’ll still show mercy to those who hurt him.Jesus You Are – This song was written by Aklesso, Konata Small and GAWVI and produced by GAWVI. The song, about his complete dependence on God, has an easy-going vibe. He doesn’t know where he would be without God, who saved him from himself. I'm Fine – This song was written by Konata Small, WHATUPRG, Rhomar Jessy and GAWVI, and produced by Matt Cohen and GAWVI. He has been hurt by those in the church. People don’t really want to know how he is doing, so he’ll just say that he’s fine. Forgiveness is key to moving forward. Feed Dah Gang – This song was written by Rhomar Jessy, BEAM, GAWVI and Wxlf and produced by Jon Jon and GAWVI. The song features Wxlf. The confident lyrics come over a driving beat. He knows the devil is scheming, but he has an army of heathens.Forty5 – This song was written by Wxlf, Rhomar Jessy, GAWVI, Parris Chariz and Tommy Royale, and produced by GAWVI. The song features Parris Chariz and Tommy Royale. The song has a driving beat, one PG-13 word and a number of basketball references. He’s been calling on Jesus for mercy. Sinners Chaos – This song was written by Wxlf and GAWVI, and produced by Matt Cohen and GAWVI. The song is driven by guitar. The chaos is all around us. Key lyric: On and on I'm fightin' this war I been on this journey, yeah Pilgrim in his progress, yeah No matter the past, He knows who you are Best songs Jit Climate Change Who You Gon Be Vanity
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