Preacher's kids or not, every family have it's triumphs and downfalls, bad times as well as the good. Struggles with drugs, premarital sex, guns, jail, and temptations is not always limited to those without any spiritual guidance or role models, it is a fact of life, as a matter of fact, it's almost synonymous with being a preacher's kid. This talented self contained bunch of siblings can attest to alot of those truths, whether through friends or personally!
The offspring of praying musical parents, it was only a matter of time that after birthing, and raising ten kids ( and still raising, the baby Markieth is still in school) something special was in store. From seeds first sown at The St. Mark COGIC and later years at The Spirit Of Life COGIC, and through all the years of hardship and tears, up and down the highways on the East Coast, the fruits of Elder & District Missionary Wiley (COGIC) is about to enter into it's season. The first stint of the group's nucleus began in a Washinton D.C. / Philly based family group called Totally Committed that included extended family " The Great" Tim Carmon, Musician extraordinare, brothers D'Extra of the R&B group II D EXTREME fame, Ray, and Novey; Joel Ruffin, a bassist for Wilmington & Chester Mass (now brother in law) and first cousins Gregory Pete Moore and Marc Crawford. Afterwhich, before II D Extreme released their hit song "Cry No More" on the Gasoline alley/ MCA Records, The group Totally Committed disbanded. Chico, Javitta, JaCinta and Benitta were still in school from elementary to high school at this time, but D'Extra always promised to reach back to help the Family get a foothold in the industry.
Chico, a prolific drummer,vocalist, and a keyboardist, at 15 years old was singing over the phone to a Major record executive, and was asked how much money would it take to get him to sign a deal and put out a hip hop R&B record, "name your price" the executive asked. JaCinta , still a teen, had actually received a recording agreement with a Label Distributed by Universal, but the time was not yet. God does everything for a reason. Ray, who had produced a track a piece for both of II D Extreme records, expresses his passion every week by playing the keys for various services and events.
With the music production being produced by D'Extra, as well as executive produced through his company, he reached out to co-superproducer Jeff Carruthers and his Digital zoo digs to set it all in motion. He expressed that this is definitely a dream come true for him." I've alway wanted to give back to God and work with my talented family, hey after producing other artists, It is a good thing to be able to take a break from making secular hiphop and R&B songs, beats and just do something that's going to inspire and encourage, although some of our beats are straight up R&B and some Hiphop (With an appearance slated by fam Lady Of Rage) as well, it's the messages we're trying to convey without being critically preachy and judgemental, everybody always asks us when they first hear the uptempo beat, "is that gospel?" then when they hear the lyrics it touches their heart or leave a message. If you want strictly praise and worship music, go see Byron Cage or Shekinah glory, that ain't us as far as records are concerned, you want traditional, go see Auntie Shirley Ceasar, or some other big mass choir, while we love to listen to those styles and those great artists, especially in a church setting, we like to get down in a unorthodox and nontraditional way and at the same time keep an edge that is different, not sounding like everything that they expect us to sound like. It's not going to happen as long as I'm making the beats, and producing this project... maybe one day...but not today! he laughs! Kirk did his thing, Tye is doing his thing, so what would we look like trying to bite their styles and concepts? Nah! We gotta blaze our own trail and territory and keep it hot!" he said in concluding.
Their influences range from Commissioned, The Clark Sisters, Darryl Coley, Kim Burrell, The DeBarges, The Winans, The Hawkins, John P. Key, Mary Mary, Andrae Crouch, Men Of standard, Yolanda Adams, To Brandy, Joe, Brian McKinight, Jay-z and Nas. After listening to an advance copy of the music I concluded this :The Wiley Project is a mosaic body of work that encompasses different elements from different genres, but yet remains consistant with a sound niche carved straight from their hearts and souls. They are destined for greatness.
So yes, get ready.... The Wileys are still in the studio putting on the finish touches to their debut..... stay tuned.... the Song "Why Why Why" and the ode to their parents "MOM POP Thank u" is just a little raw unmixed rough version that's only on this site just to whet ya whistle.... David Elliot, staff writer Los Angeles/ Valley Edition News
