ARTICLE FROM SUMMER ISSUE OF GOSPEL PRAISE MAGAZINE

OVER ONE MILLION SOULS

ATLANTA-BASED DUO PLANS TO CAPTURE OVER ONE MILLION SOULS FOR GOD’S KINGDOM

By John Hoskins

Birmingham, AL.--On a frigid afternoon in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, Ricardo FLO (For Lord Only) stands outside the Sheraton Tower, both hands in his jacket pockets, having just emerged from co-hosting 95.7 FM’s Sunday morning “Gospel Jamz” broadcast with DJ Strick (Stephen Strickland).

Interviewing them for the first time, our right hands clutch and we embrace shoulder to shoulder. Hearing FLO’s voice on CDs and the telephone, one would perceive that meeting him in person would be a bit overwhelming. His spiritually-potent lyrics, authoritative and almost commanding verbal delivery is a stark contrast to his meek, somewhat casual demeanor.

His partner in rhyme, Ms. Ty Scott, roams about somewhere along the downtown streets searching for a new parking space, while we observe police officers and tow trucks clear the area of violators. A few minutes later, she walks up and quietly takes a seat beside us and listens as Ricardo gives some of the group’s history. Strikingly similar to Ricardo, Ty’s booming poetics on CDs are gripping enough to lay conviction on the most callous of hearts. Nonetheless, immediately noticeable is her softspokeness, her voice at a volume seemingly begging your pardon as she speaks. Even so, it is her forceful, wisdom-laced, hard-to-argue spoken-word arrangements that caught the attention of many, and ultimately led to her partnership with Ricardo.

“Boogie Bless with 107.9 in Atlanta knew about Ty and knew me,” says FLO. “Ty had already been winning all kinds of poetry slams—so people were already talking about her. So, he got us together on an event back in early 2002, and we’ve been together ever since.”

FLO, a Baltimore, Maryland native who says he has been writing since age 13, wasn’t necessarily an unknown either. He was previously signed to Christopher Martin’s label (of the former rap group Kid ‘N Play). FLO had appeared on the Holy Hip Hop compilation put out by Martin, which led to bookings with various people, among them, DJ Strick of 95.7 Gospel Jamz. FLO wasn’t always devoted to creating music to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ; but after rededicating his life to God in November, 1993, his life and music career took a turn.

“In the midst of some major financial difficulties, I remember praying one night for a way out of it,” says FLO. “That’s when God was like, ‘you used to make music for the world when you were in it--now do it for me.’”

Likewise, Scott, who says she has been writing since she was 7-years-old, gave her life to the Lord in September, 1997. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica she attended the University of Florida and received a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a concentration in English. After college, she moved to Los Angeles, California for four years before returning to the east coast. Together, FLO and Scott work together to spread the message of Jesus Christ to the masses through rap/spoken-word musical compositions. FLO named the group.

“We named ourselves Platinum Souls because if we go platinum, then that’s at least a millions souls we’ve reached,” says Scott. “We don’t want to just stop there though.”

FLO says that they were hesitant to use the word “platinum” in their name at first because of its overuse in the hip hop industry today. However, their intent never had anything to do with glorifying materialism. Winning souls to Christ has always been the main focus. Nonetheless, the two are keenly aware of the criticism or misconceptions people may have with the concept of “gospel rap.”

“A lot of people say we’re trying to cover up the fact that we’re Christians by hiding behind the music,” says Scott. “It’s not something we planned—it just happened and we went with it.” I’m ready, willing, and able to take the gospel to the whole world . . . because I know somebody’s feeling this.”

Feeling them indeed are a number of people as the duo has shared stages with both mainstream Christian and secular artists including: Mary Mary, Bubba Sparxxx, Scarface, Tank, Clipse, and DC Talk. In 2002 alone, they ministered at approximately 120 events throughout the eastern United States. The pair has also performed radio jingles for Pizza Hut and McDonalds.

Platinum Souls offer prophetic, poetic utterances on three “underground” CDs entitled Unexpected Mixes (Vols. 1-4), the first four of seven such planned releases which feature Scott and FLO’s scripture-laced rhymes mixed over various mainstream hip hop instrumentals, as well as some original production. A DVD called Unexpected will be released in the near future and will have footage from events and concerts. Their official album will include all original production, like their first single, “Jesus,” which created quite a stir upon its release, and has kept fans buzzing with anticipation for their full-length album.

In addition to themselves, they also manage and promote several other gospel artists under their Eternal Fava Management roster including: Kay Bizzy, F.O.W. (Fountains Of Wisdom), PK3, and TRUTH. F.O.W. will be the first group to release an album (Matters of the Heart) on Platinum Souls Records, Inc. Both Scott and FLO view their endeavors as full-time ministry, though Scott also works another job part-time as an office manager.

Ty is a member of Total Grace Christian Center in Decatur, Georgia, under the leadership of Pastor Jonathan Alvarado and his wife Toni. Ricardo is a member of The Center of Hope, under the leadership of Pastor Dallas C. Wilson.

Platinum Souls’ official album, Soul Magnets, is scheduled to be released this Fall. Click here for booking information.

John Hoskins is a publisher and freelance writer from Florida. He is also webmaster of the Platinum Souls website.