Led By Founding Members, Rapper/Writer J-Rizzo and Beat Maker And Sonic Architect Mr. Swift, Priesthood Scored Numerous Awards And Accolades In the Christian Rap Market For Their First Three Albums In The Early 2000s. The second generation Samoan rap group PRIESTHOOD emerged, amid diverse cultures, from a tightly knit community in Los Angeles. Picking up years after BooYaa Tribe (the first Samoan rap group to go mainstream) left off, Priesthood continues to keep things gritty and real while offering hope via their profound spiritual purpose. Quickly attracting hip hip-hop fans seeking a fresh, positive and inspiring outlet from life's daily struggles, Priesthood is embarking on a mission to touch the world with their music. On Thug Worship, Priesthood gets back to the hoods of L.A. where their journey began. The instantly infectious, ultra-provocative 17-track collection combines massively grooving beats by Mr. Swift—who hails from the SoCal town of Paramount—with the edgy, hard-hitting but ultimately hopeful rhymes and rapping of the current crew of J. Rizzo (Compton), Chico Breeze (Carson), Tapasu (Santa Ana) and Kartoon (Carson). To grasp the massive transition Priesthood has made in the years leading up to the release of this intensely personal and spiritual project, a little history is in order. Launched by J-Rizzo, Mr. Swift and a third original member, Papa Semm, the then-three piece unit became first a U.S., then a global sensation, touring the country and then throughout Japan, Mexico, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands on the massive popularity of their first three joints, Sprinkle Me Luv (1999), Keepin' It Real (2000) and Turn Up Your Radio (2002). At one point, they were on the road doing an incredible 300 live dates a year. A truly West Coast rap group, they had a reputation for laid back grooves and tight vocal harmonies—and it was time to develop a more cutting edge approach. A couple of tracks on Thug Worship key the listener in on the multiple grooves and themes Priesthood is all about these days. They don't want anyone to forget they are of Samoan heritage and rep the West Coast, so "In The West" has a seductive reggae tinged island vibe as the guys rap about "floating when we ride," "palm trees swaying" and "cool breeze in the sunshine." Love and respect for family is huge in their culture, so "Family Biz" gives shouts out to all the folks, blood related or not, who stuck by them over the years. Each member of Priesthood contributes a verse, so that no one is left out—including their brothers in prison and in the military who are sacrificing for all of us. Priesthood's always gonna have that spiritual thing at their core, and the beat intensive, hypnotic "Goin' Home" is, like so many of their joints, about the struggle to do what's right and trying to live life according to what you say you believe. But rather than the traditional chariot taking them to heaven, they're keeping this discussion grounded in the hood, where a low rider will be the vehicle to the afterlife! Amidst the deeper themes, Priesthood loves to just let loose and have fun. "So many people these days focus on what people don't have in common, but Priesthood are all about what we do have in common, despite our big differences," says J-Rizzo. "Originally, Chico and Toon are from Blood neighborhoods, and Tapasu and I are from rival Crip neighborhoods. Members of the group have had countless run-ins with the law through gang activities on the streets which eventually landed them occupancy in the State and County Correctional Facilities. It has been through our newfound spiritual purpose that we are able to transcend those cultural divides of the past in the spirit of music that offers hope for the struggle of life. "After a long time of trying to figure out what Priesthood's future would be," he adds, "we're feeling like we're really doing what we are supposed to in order to make an impact in the life of people. Music is about enjoyment, but even more than that, the rhymes and the words we rap and sing are all about making a mental, emotional and spiritual difference in their lives. Whether our fans are listening to Thug Worship or seeing us at a club or church, we want to leave a mark with music and tracks they'll listen to and remember."
