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FROM THE ASR VAULT - Born in Southeast Washington, D.C on March 22, 1984, Ernest “CaNino” Matthews was set apart for a purpose. As a young boy, he was abandoned, placed in many foster homes and abused - but the Lord had a plan for his life. CaNino’s biological father found him and removed him from foster care just days before adoption.
At the age of 9, they moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he grew up most of his life. CaNino faced gang related issues and other problems associated with an urban community. He discovered music as an outlet for the pain and writing became a form of therapy.
In 2000, he was approached by a youth in an urban city church and was introduced to a personal relationship with the Lord. As God drew him, he walked towards a life of change. He began to gain more of the Word and had a passion for outreach and evangelism. Soon enough, CaNino found that he couldn’t just serve God when it felt good, but he had to trust in the Lord during the times he felt alone.
During this period, CaNino found other talented artists who were expressing their relationship with God through rap music.
In 2014, CaNino was selected to be an artist on the Coast to Coast Mixtape. He developed a fan base on The Homecoming Tour featuring Kelly Prodigal Williams. This experience led to a contract with Tyscot Loud Records/Warner Brothers Music Group.
CaNino has overcome so many obstacles and continues to stand firm and place his hope in God. He is selfless, compassionate, and real. Next up is TYSCOT Artist, Dale J Evans who shares this personal message: What up family ? I hope that the music God has inspired me to create will be an inspiration to you. some of you might even say, what is gospel rap? I've never heard it before or maybe you've heard some that didn't sound peculiar enough or set apart enough to represent the omnipotent Glory of God. If this is the case then I'm very glad that you've decided to check out my music with the expectation to receive a changed perspective of Gospel Rap Music. It's not about me, it's all about HIM (JESUS). Amen+Amen DJE… Closing out the ASR Podcast is Chi Town Rapper TSO. In the realm of rap, kingship is an honor unlike any other; one that often comes with cars, clout, and lots of Cristal. But with the rise of emerging Christian rappers like T.S.O., those three C’s have been favorably replaced with a much more prominent one: Christ.
Tyscot Records’ latest artist isn’t wasting any time hitting the market with his new music, and from the sounds of the content, he’s not afraid to aim high. Tackling this genre of religious rap means joining the likes of Christian contemporaries like LeCrae and Mali Music, but T.S.O. is up for the challenge; he’s entering the musical arena with a story to tell.
Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, T.S.O. experienced what some would consider a less than fortunate upbringing. Family life during his formative years proved to be a challenge for this motivational musician—chaotic from the start of its formation; but unbeknownst to him, or any other, the confusion that surrounded him would send him spiraling toward his purpose, his destiny.
