SHALIN aka Young FloCe

Young FloCe a.k.a Da Gyft (Real Name: Shalin) is definitely no stranger to music. Besides his own musical endeavors, Young FloCe comes from a very talented musical background. Young FloCe's grandmother was Flossie Washington. Along with her siblings, they made up the gospel group: "The Phillip Wonders". They were headquartered in Chicago, Illinois before making their move to Waterloo, Iowa. One of the groups friends was crooner extraordinaire Lou Rawls (who performed on songs with "The Wonders"). Lou Rawls, who as a youngster, lived in the same neighborhood on the south-side of Chicago as FloCe's grandma. Also, Bo Diddley was Young FloCe's Great Auntie's Cousin.



Starting off his music at an early age Young FloCe formed a group called "The Black Prophets" with his two cousins. After gaining early local success, the group showed off its raps skills by doing commercials and marketing promotions for local businesses. No stranger to the spotlight, at ages 11, the group placed 2nd in a State Competition after winning a Local Rap Contest sponsored by the Hawkeye Chapter of the American Red Cross to support those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.



During his High School years you could find Young FloCe battle rapping in cyphers throughout the hallways of East High School (Waterloos, IA) showing off his versatility and new style dimension of rap that has made him a threat for success. Also known for his singing back home, Young FloCe can carry a note just as good as he can "Murda" the competition with his 16 bar delivery. During High School, Young FloCe was the second half of the highly respected duo "Parental Guidance" a branch formed off of his older brothers rap crew "L.O.C." The group was created by Young FloCe and his best friend Keylow (a.k.a. Joey A.) After winning, performing and receiving local/state recognition as one of the top artists in the Midwest. Young FloCe left the group when he graduated from High School and headed to Arizona for College. After laying low on the rap scene for a while just battling and not doing much recording, something change in Young FloCe's life. With the passing of his grandmother Flossie Washington, Shalin felt as if he left the rap game with some unfinished business. Fueled by his grandmothers passion for writing and poetry, Shalin returns to us as Young FloCe a.k.a Da Gyft in tribute to his grandmother. Determined this time around to get his voice heard and "Take Whole Team to the Top". Young FloCe is well traveled and battle tested in many different venues such as: Seattle, Phoenix, San Francisco, Iowa, and Chicago, and now the Twin Cities. So take a load off, relax and enjoy the musical roller coaster ride that is known as Young FloCe a.k.a Da Gyft.