Group 1 Crew (comprised of Manwell Reyes, Blanca Reyes, and Pablo Villatoro) is a Christian hip-hop/pop/R&B group based out of Orlando, Florida. This group is one of the many groundbreaking acts to hit the mainstream Christian music market, but also bring a fresh attitude to the scene. With a new album in the works, as well as continuous touring, Manwell, the frontman for the group, spared some time to speak with me about G1C's story and what goes on now!
How long have you guys been doing music professionally for?
10 YEARS
How long has Group 1 Crew been together?
6 YEARS
What style of music does G1C generally play, and which musicians provide inspiration for your sound?
HIP HOP/FUNK/SOUL..EVERYONE FROM MICHAEL BUBLE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON
Recently, you guys wrote on your website that you were back in the studio recording. What is in the works now, and what can we expect?
ALBUM OUT BY APRIL AND ITS GOING TO BE A NEW SOUND FOR US BUT SO MUCH MORE PROGRESSIVE. A TRULY CREDIBLE MAINSTREAM ALBUM WITH AMAZING CONTENT
I’m not sure if you guys have done any collaboration work with other artist, but is there any chances of seeing that happen in the future?
YA I'M SURE THERE IS. WE JUST DID SOMETHING WITH KJ 52 AND I'M SURE THERE ARE MORE TO COME
Are you guys doing any projects and/or campaigning for anything right now aside from your music career?
YUP I AM DOING A NONPROFIT CALLED REVOLUTION ONE (REV1.ORG) AS WELL AS STARTING A POP/URBAN LABEL
How did you guys react when you found out that you won the award for Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year at last year’s Dove Awards?
WELL IT WAS DOPE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE JUST REALIZED THAT THERES STILL SO MUCH TO DO
This question is for Blanca. You recently announced that you got engaged. How does it feel? And do you think you can manage both the “married” life and your music career?
Blanca was unavailable to comment.
This question is for Pablo. How did you get that crazy hairstyle of yours?
Pablo was unavailable to comment.
This question is for Manwell. I know a lot of people ask this, but for those who don’t know, you have a lot of tattoos. What do they all mean?
ONE SAYS HOTEES WORLD (HO-T) AND ITS A NICKNAME I GOT IN BIBLE COLLEGE. THERES AN "M" ON MY LEFT HAND AND TWO ON MY BACK OF SUNS SYMBOLICALLY REPRESENTING THE SON OF GOD
Back to all of you now. Can you name any one moment in your life that defined who God wanted you to be, and how that desire came about to pursue music as a career?
WELL I GUESS IT WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME I WAS CALLED TO MUSIC. IT WAS PRETTY EVIDENT THAT GOD WANTED ME TO DO THIS
What’s the one thing that God is constantly reminding you of or challenging you each to live out in your daily lives?
FOR ME TO BE A MAN OF CHARACTER AND INTEGRITY. WHERE I WANT TO GO REQUIRES A HUGE DEAL OF CHARACTER
You guys have probably played a lot of gigs by now. What has been your favorite gig by far, and why?
I'VE HAD A LOT OF FAVORITE. PROBABLY AMSTERDAM CAUSE IT WAS WITH THE BAND AND WE GOT TO TRAVEL. AUSTRALIA WAS COOL TOO.
Is there anywhere you haven’t played in yet that you’d like to?
YUP! ASIA!!
I imagine you have a lot of music tastes; what do you normally play on your iPod and/or when you’re at home?
JOHN MAYER, NE YO, ASCENSION, THE SCRIPT, WORSHIP MUSIC
Where’s the one place where you can go and get your creative flow going in order to write/create music?
THE STUDIO
What do you do in your spare time when you’re not recording or touring?
GYM AND MOVIES BABY! THE BEST
To the critical question now. You guys have been involved in music for some time now, and music tastes and styles are changing quickly in this day and age. Where do you see music in the US/Canada going in the future, in the sense of changing tastes, and will this allow you continued creativity down the road?
WELL TO BE HONEST THERES NO TELLING WHERE MUSICS GOING..I FEEL WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING BACK TO A "SINGLE" SOCIETY LIKE IN THE OLD RECORD DAYS, BUT THATS COOL. AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MUSIC, THE WORLD IS GOING TO REMAIN INSPIRED REGARDLESS THE MEDIUM IN WHICH ITS PRESENTED
Do you feel you’ve contributed to the advancement of music in the US & Canada as a Christian hip-hop unit? And is there anything you’d like to see done in this whole genre of music in the US/Canada?
SURE...BUT THERE'S STILL SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE. I'D LOVE TO SEE OUR INDUSTRY EMBRACE URBAN POP A LOT MORE
There you go, G1C in a nutshell, thanks to Manwell for this interview, and until next time, au revoir!
J~
Group 1 Crew
If you like Group 1 Crew you should check out http://www.givmusic.com/2009/09/4real-revolve-tour-free-music/ to get a free download by KJ-52 feat. Group 1 Crew. You can also find out more information about the Revolve Tour which is going on now and on which Group 1 Crew is performing. Check it out!
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