GAWVI
Birth nameGabriel Alberto Azucena
Also known asG-Styles
Born (1988-09-23) September 23, 1988
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
OriginBroward County, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • rapper
  • music producer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2008–2020
Gawvi in a photo similar to his album cover of Heathen.

Gabriel Alberto Azucena (born September 23, 1988), who goes by the stage name GAWVI (formerly G-Styles), is an American Christian hip hop artist and music producer, formerly for Reach Records. Born in the Bronx, New York, he has released three extended plays, five albums, and twenty-three singles including his songs; "In the Water" and "Late Nights." His career commenced in 2008, doing production work for Lecrae and Trip Lee, who continue to be his most consistent collaborators. In early 2016, he was officially signed to Reach Records. In early 2022, Reach ended their professional relationship with Gawvi.

Personal life

Gawvi was born Gabriel Alberto Azucena,[1] in The Bronx, New York,[2][3][4] to a father from El Salvador and a mother from the Dominican Republic.[5] He was raised in Broward County, Florida.

He was married to Brianna Azucena. In January 2022 Gawvi announced that he had separated with her in 2020.

Music career

Career beginnings, record producing, and Reach Records (2008–2015)

He started his music production career in 2008, most notably working with Lecrae and Trip Lee.[6][7][8] His career led to him acquiring a recording contract with Reach Records as both an artist and in-house record producer.[9] He won a GMA Dove Award at the 46th GMA Dove Awards in the category of Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year, for his production work on Anomaly by Lecrae.[10]

Lost in Hue, Holding Hue, We Belong, and 954 (2016–2017)

On July 29, 2016, Gawvi released his debut extended play Lost in Hue. Jesus Freak Hideout rated the E.P. (extended play) three out of five stars, claiming it to be a unique move made by Reach. Lost in Hue flew off the shelves, sitting at No. 1 on the iTunes top-selling dance albums chart. On September 9, 2016, Gawvi released his second extend play, Holding Hue, and was given a five-star rating by JFH's Liam Jackson, who said that "Free" featuring T-Jay was the only song that was "not that good.” On March 31, 2017, he released his debut studio album We Belong, to acclaim in the CCM (contemporary Christian music) community[11] and debuting at No. 19 in iTunes.[12] Gawvi received his second Dove Award in 2017 for his production on Trip Lee's album The Waiting Room.

Panorama, Heathen, and Noche Juvenil (2018–Early 2022)

Gawvi released his second album Panorama on October 17, 2018, featuring the song "Fight for Me" (with Lecrae),[13] which won Rap/Hip Hop song of the year at the 50th GMA Dove Awards.[14] On April 10, 2020, Gawvi released his third album, Heathen, which was nominated for Rap/Hip Hop album of the year at the 51st GMA Dove Awards.[15] On March 26, 2021, Gawvi released his fourth full album, Noche Juvenil, which featured all songs recorded in Spanish, featuring Spanish-speaking artists from the Christian hip hop scene.[16] On January 30, 2022, Reach Records ended their professional relationship with Gawvi.[17][18]

Atmostfear (Late 2022-Present)

On October 9, 2022, Gawvi announced his next album Atmostfear. The album is currently scheduled for a 2023 release with the only known track being "Doors Down" with 1K Phew.

Discography

Albums

List of selected albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Chr.
[19]		 US
D/E.
[20]		 US
Gos.
[21]		 US
Ind.
[22]
Dope Beats, Good News, Vol. 2 — — 31 —
We Belong
  • Debut album
  • Released: March 31, 2017
  • Label: Reach Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 7 7 — 17
Panorama
  • Second album
  • Released: October 19, 2018
  • Label: Reach
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 16 — — 44
Heathen
  • Third album
  • Released: April 10, 2020
  • Label: Reach
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 — — — —
Noche Juvenil
  • Fourth album
  • Released: March 26, 2021
  • Label: Reach
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
 — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Note: Beginning in 2015, Billboard rendered most hip hop/rap albums ineligible for the Gospel charts.[23]

Extended plays

List of selected albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Chr.
[19]		 US
D/E.
[20]		 US
Ind.
[22]
Lost In Hue 8 2 18
Holding Hue
  • Released: September 9, 2016
  • Label: Reach
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 11 4 42
954
  • Released: December 15, 2017
  • Label: Reach
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

As a lead artist

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US
Christ.
[24]		 Christ.
Airplay
[25]
2016 "In the Water" 48 30 Lost in Hue
2017 "Closer"
(featuring RobbieLee & Julissa Leilani)		 37 28 We Belong
"God Speed"
(featuring Andy Mineo & KB)		 43 —
"Rock N Roll"
(featuring ELHAE)		 34 —
"Like We Belong" — 34
"Diamonds"
(featuring Jannine Weigel)		 — — Non-album singles
"High Note" — —
"Moments" — — 954
"Thrills" — —
"Bros"
(featuring Madiel Lara)		 — —
"Hit the Lotto"
(featuring 1K Phew)		 — —
2018 "Slingshot" — — Panorama
"Fight For Me"
(featuring Lecrae)		 25 35
"Fashion Joe"
(featuring KB)		 — —
"Get Em"
(featuring Aklesso, Rhomar Jessy & TROSSTHEGIANT)		 — —
"With You" — 50
2019 "Hope You Say" — — Non-album single
2020 "Not Too Far" — — Heathen
"Climate Change"
(featuring Aklesso and Wordsplayed)		 — —
2021 "Qué Pasó" — — Noche Juvenil
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Year Title Album
2013 "P.Y.I.T.F."
(Rhema Soul featuring Gawvi, Spzrkt, Rey King & Social Club)		 Dope Beats, Good News, Vol. 2
2015 "Boogie Tonight"
(Eximio featuring Gawvi & Ruslan)		 Non-album single
2019 "Glory"
(WHATUPRG featuring Gawvi)		 Summer Nineteen
2021 "Zone"
(Blanca featuring Gawvi)		 Renovada (EP)

Other appearances

Year Title Album
2012 "Glow in the Dark"
(Social Club featuring Gawvi)		 Misfits
(EP)
2014 "Social Club Is Not Dead"
(Social Club featuring Gawvi)		 Misfits 2
2016 "Against All Adz"
(Wordsplayed featuring Gawvi)		 Clowntown
2018 "Angels"
(116 featuring Gawvi)		 The Gift: A Christmas Compilation

Awards

GMA Dove Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2019"Fight For MeRap/Hip Hop Recorded of the YearWon
PANORAMARap/Hip Hop Album of the YearNominated

References

  1. ↑ Broadcast Music, Inc. "Songwriter/Composer: AZUCENA GABRIEL ALBERTO". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  2. ↑ gawvi [@GAWVI] (February 8, 2014). "Gawvi: mom thank you... Mom: for what? Gawvi: for making my birth place be Bronx New York! Mom: your welcome 😜🙌" (Tweet). Retrieved January 17, 2016 – via Twitter.
  3. ↑ gawvi [@GAWVI] (September 23, 2014). "I love that on my birthday, I'm going back to my birth place! #NewYork" (Tweet). Retrieved January 17, 2016 – via Twitter.
  4. ↑ gawvi [@GAWVI] (September 9, 2013). "@Lilia_Huerta73 I'm 24 about to be 25 years old on September 23rd if anyone wants to get ya boi a gift!! Lol" (Tweet). Retrieved January 17, 2016 – via Twitter.
  5. ↑ gawvi [@GAWVI] (December 2, 2012). "@octoseven I was born in New York, father is from El Salvador, mother is from Dominican Republic" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ Vidal, Juan (September 21, 2014). "Meet Gawvi, Producer of the No. 1 Album in the Country". Esquire. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  7. ↑ Martinez, Paul (August 28, 2013). "Gawvi a/k/a G-Styles Joins Reach Records, Unveils DBGN2 Details". Jam the Hype. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  8. ↑ Cody, Daniel (January 24, 2015). "Full Interview with Gawvi". Wade-O Radio. Archived from the original on February 7, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  9. ↑ Hernandez, Victoria (January 16, 2016). "Reach Records Signs GAWVI". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  10. ↑ GMA Dove Award. "Search: GAWVI". Gospel Music Association. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  11. ↑ Conner, Matt (2017-03-31). "GAWVI - 'We Belong' album review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  12. ↑ "iTunesCharts.net: US Albums Friday, 31st March 2017". www.itunescharts.net. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  13. ↑ "GAWVI 'PANORAMA' Album Cover & Tracklist Revealed". rapzilla.com. 3 October 2018.
  14. ↑ "Past Winners". doveawards.com.
  15. ↑ "51st Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees Announced". doveawards.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  16. ↑ "GAWVI Drops Full Spanish Project 'Noche Juvenil' & 'Dicen' music video [Listen Here]". rapzilla.com. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  17. ↑ Aniftos, Rania (2022-02-01). "Christian Hip-Hop Artist Gawvi Dropped by Reach Records After Allegations of Unsolicited Explicit Photos". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  18. ↑ "Reach Records Terminates GAWVI From Label After Claims of Sexual Misconduct [Statement]". Rapzilla. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  19. 1 2 "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Christian Albums. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  20. 1 2 "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Dance/Electronic Albums. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Top Gospel Albums. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  22. 1 2 "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Independent Albums. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  23. ↑ Shellnut, Kate (February 15, 2015). "Why Grammy Winner Lecrae Will Never Dominate the Gospel Charts Again... | News & Reporting | Christianity Today". Christianity Today. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on May 12, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Gawvi Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Christian Airplay. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
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