Take a look around and you’ll notice it, our nation is being raised on music, more specifically hip hop music. MTV, BET, and VH1 are heavily influencing almost every step we take and every decision we make. We aren’t mindless, so how did we allow this to happen? The answer is simple- we got hooked on beats and ignored the messages that came with them.

This wouldn’t be a problem if the music we are inundated with was actually sending positive messages, but the majority of it is not. All too frequently, innumerable homicides, suicides, and crimes have been linked to musical icons and their lyrics. Yet, many of those artists refuse to take responsibility and become better role models. There are however, some diamonds in the ruff… Platinum Souls- a duo that has a passion for music and a heart for the world, does not have to be asked to step up and play the “roles” of positive “models.” Instead, they are willing to break through the darkness with some well-needed light.

Platinum Souls’ consists of: Ricardo FLO (For Lord Only) and Ms. Ty Scott. They are two artists who came together after having achieved success as soloists. Respectively, they are known as the rapper and the poet; however, they rarely limit themselves to those titles. Often you will find them stepping beyond those lines to switch and share roles on the songs they collectively write and produce. Their unique blend is a gumbo that intertwines hip hop, poetry, soul, reggae, and praise and worship. And because their style is so unprecedented, some believe it was calculated.

But, they adamantly deny all claims that they are strategically devised. In fact, they freely admit that their union could only have been masterminded by the master builder himself- Jesus Christ. To prove it, they go back to the fall of 1997, when Ms. Ty Scott was in Los Angeles and Ricardo FLO lived in Baltimore. As God would have it, their first connection was in the heavenly realm, when they each accepted/ re-dedicated their lives to Christ. Years later, in January 2002, God ordained FLO and Ty’s earthly paths to cross in Atlanta, GA (where the two now reside). He sealed His fate for the ministers, when one month later He birthed the idea for Platinum Souls in their spirits.

Since that pivotal moment, Platinum Souls has embarked on an aggressive journey- to positively impact a hurting and dying society through their music. To date, they have had approximately 450 performances, ranging from Churches such as: their home church- Northview Christian Church (Dothan, AL), New Light (Houston, TX), The Way, The Truth, and the Life, New Birth, and World Changers International (Atlanta, GA), Overcoming Church (Indianapolis, IN), and The Believer’s House (Norfolk, VA) just to name a few. They have also graced stages at Colleges & Universities such as: The University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), Georgia Tech, Morris Brown College, and Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA), Auburn University (Auburn, GA), M.I.T. (Boston, MA), and Wooster College (Wooster, OH).

And as if those aren’t enough, they were also among a handful of artists chosen to be the first rappers ever to perform at The United States Pentagon. Furthermore, they have infiltrated radio, television, countries, and continents with their “Unexpected Mixes,” a series of 7 mix tapes the duo has used to build anticipation for their upcoming album release: “Soul Magnets.” And that they’ve definitely done- with much flava! And because of their commitment, they were awarded/ honored by “The Fellowship of Holy Hip Hop” in both 2002 & 2003.

Yet, in the midst of it all, they remain humble and focused on saving souls, in fact, that is the reason for the groups’ name. Ask either Ty or FLO, and they will tell you: “Since a record can go platinum in the industry once one million copies are sold, we are determined to go platinum with souls won for the kingdom of God.” And although they are definitely making waves in the industry (by entering and taking the 1st place title at secular events such as: the “Atlanta Urban Legends Showcase”), Platinum Souls refuses to forsake their integrity for success, as many artists in the secular realm have done.

They prefer to specialize in doing great exploits for God, delivering their message with boldness and authority. And although they know that their doctrine is not always accepted, they refuse to dilute it. Even in the clubs, you’ll find them saying: “J.E.S.U.S. C.H.R.I.S.T. - Jesus Christ. The way, the truth, the life, has set me free!” But, they are definitely “Not about Religion,” instead they promote the importance of a personal relationship with God and not the man-made regulations that are often taught as keys to salvation.

Together they are a ministry not afraid to take their message to the streets, for as it is written: “one that is not sick has no need for a physician, but the one that is sick does.” With this is mind, although they have been blessed to share stages with gospel artists such as: Mary Mary, DC Talk, Out of Eden, and Tonex (to name a few), they believe that their largest impacts have been made while performing with secular artists such as: Bubba Sparxxx, Clipse, and Scarface, among others.

They proudly walk through those doors to combat the poisonous musical influences of the world and to promote Jesus Christ. Not ones to be naïve, Platinum Souls recognizes that they have a great challenge ahead of them, often times going against the grain of the immorality being glorified in the industry today. They are atypical in both the hip hop and poetry arenas. But, one thing every one will come to know about Platinum Souls’ is that they are not ones to shun a challenge…so, from them you can no doubt-- expect the Unexpected!