My influences come from all over but my biggest influences are DCTalk and stephen Wiley because they were my first rap tapes and i loved to listen to them over and over and over. They were the ones that got me into my love for rap. My influences now a days are artists from both secular and christian realms; Grits, eminem, 2pac, outkast, nappy roots, da truth, CM, Benjiman, Tunnel Rats, Common, roots, J5, Verbs, Toby mac and others. I am also influenced by many other artists from country to pop but i wont mention any of those names cause i ain't gonna ruin my rep (that was just a joke). But my biggest and most important influence is my inspiration, the lord.
Born in Albuquerque, NM, Joel Quintana caught the hip hop groove at the age of 8 when his dad introduced him to Stephen Wiley and DC Talk. When aPROOF was in the 5th grade he performed for the first time on stage. A spark was ignited in aPROOF that started the fire in his heart he has today. At the same time he was discovering his talent his family life was changing. His parents divorced and his mom remarried to a native Oregonian. When he was 12, Joel and his family moved to Springfield, OR and then a year later further north to Portland.
As he got older, aPROOF unfortunately succumbed to the temptations that presented themselves. The habits (drugs, alcohol, girls) he began in high school continued as aPROOF enrolled at Oregon State University, wanting to eventually join the Air Force. He decided to move into Varsity House, mens Christian dorm, where he hoped to get his life back on track. But the vices of drugs, depression, alcohol, and women took precedence over getting things right with God. However, aPROOF could not ignore the positive influence of his mentor, an older Varsity House member. As their friendship developed, aPROOF began to feel God drawing him closer. At the end of his sophomore year at OSU, aPROOF rededicated his life to Christ, starting fresh and giving way to Gods will.
Through all of this, aPROOF never lost his passion for hip hop and rap music, though he tried to ignore it as he pursued the goal of entering the Air Force. aPROOF kept running into doors that would not open for him. After running into the final door, aPROOF reevaluated what God really wanted for him. As he was rethinking his goal, he saw a hip hop concert that changed his heart and led him to where he is today.
In 2004 he was signed to a small independent label called Solo 8, a recording studio and artist development company based in Salem, OR. Now writing lyrics and rapping under the name aPROOF, Solo 8 helped him release a 5 song demo, "Dreams" in 2004 and a full length album, "Evidence" in 2005. Now as an independent artist aPROOF is working on putting his third album "Secrets" out in March of 2007. "Secrets" has many artists including Benjiman, Xile, Innate, Kyle Mitchell (Kutless), Dre Feriante, Redland and a couple others.
aPROOF has had the opportunity to play with: Seventh Day Slumber, Falling Up, Shawn MacDonald, Benjiman, Soul P, Zero Theory, innate, Selah PR, Triumphant Denial, Edict, Xile and many others.
aPROOF continues to tour and share his story and passion for Christ with the audiences who come to hear him. Having struggled with finding the evidence of Christ in his own life, aPROOF wants to give hope to a generation who is looking for something more to believe in, a generation that wants proof of Gods existence.
CHECK OUT aPROOF's website at: www.myspace.com/aproofevidence
How's your week going? My new EP, "Wherever You Go", is now available on iTunes, Amazon mp3, Rhapsody, and Limewire! Click the banner below and it will take you to my iTunes page. If you'd like a FREE download of my new single, "On My Way", send an email to info@natefowlermusic.com with "download" in the subject line. Have a great Tuesday!
How's it going? Have you had a chance to download my new single "On My Way" for free? Let me know what you think about the new tunes...have a great Friday..
FINALLY, NEW MUSIC! "The Art Of Broken Glass" (EP), click myspace.com/mrjmedeiros and take a listen! Available on itunes or directly from my site. New Mr.J songs to add to your profile! WORD!
You can also follow on twitter.com/mrjmedeiros for free music.
Melodically tantalizing and searingly brutal! Beauty and truth reflected through a razors edge. Let your spirit soar with our female fronted hard rock night this weekend!
Mark it down to get your butt down to World Flavors toniGHT at 8 PM for the open mic ... Rio and i will be unveiling some more of our acoustically charged hip hop influenced alchemy.
I am going to have some free StillFire demos if you want to check out my awesome band.
Hollar at me when I see you and tell me you want one:)
Where: WORLD FLAVORS (next to the Downtown Station on Willamette)
Come down for a free open mic at world flavors tonight! Rio and I will be unveiling some more of our new acoustic hip hop and just hanging out down there so come show us some love!
LOCATION: World Flavors restaurant near Willamette and 10th Right next to the Downtown Station
TIME: 8PM
Cost: The price of the footpower it takes to walk
Expression of happiness on our faces when we see you came down just for us:
Come check out some of Portland's hottest bands at Club Satyricon on Saturday April 18th. It's an all ages gig. 8:00 $7 W/ Orange Collection, Stillfire, Downrite Walnut and Travis Williams and the Love. 125 NW 6th Ave in Portland.
Also, check out 101.1 fm KUFO@ 9:00 this Sunday night to hear these bands and find out more about the show.
