D-LO 805

In many ways hip-hop artist, D-LO, (29) grew up influenced by the jagged streets of Central Coast California. He endured many obstacles throughout his life before becoming the influential artist he is today. The product of a broken home , in the rough streets of Guadalupe/Santa Maria, CA, D-LO lived what rappers often rhyme about. He was involved in gang activities which led him to a life of drugs, alcohol and loose living. Scarred by a broken home and an abusive father, he felt that he had no purpose in life and became very angry towards the world. D-LO used the avenue of secular rap music to express his experiences and his view of life which led him to make a name for himself. Influenced by the hip-hop culture, he tried to fill the void in his life by emceeing at an early age. He soon found himself at a crossroad at the age of 16. In his search for purpose, he then moved to Las Vegas where his mom remarried. In his attempt to start a new life, he got caught up in the same lifestyle he previously lived. In 1995, his stepfather, who was a devoted Christian, invited him to church where he first encountered a touch from God. From there, he tried to turn his life around, but ended up lasted only 3 months before going back into his old ways which also led him into a deeper affiliation with street living. And in his backslidden state, God began to deal with him, and break him through certain situations that occurred during this period in his life such as a near death experience after being shot twice in a drive by shooting and losing his dad from a drug overdose. Desperate for help, he decided to revisit his old youth group with the hope of easing his pain, but God had a different plan. High on drugs, D-LO, after being prayed for began to break down, and the longer they prayed in agreement, the more his pride diminished. As a result, D-LO walked out a different person feeling like he received a second chance. After rededicating his life to Christ in (1997) at the age of 18, he has since then committed to use his musical gifts to testify of Gods grace. He is currently a member at B.W.I.C (Beyond Walls International Church) and has also started pursuing his music career which he believes to be a powerful tool that will change the hearts of this generation and bring back glory to God.