Brotherly Love and Hip-Hop saves Lives

Lot's of people who don't know the significance of our history mainly remember the news stories that mentioned Bloody Reign from the court case of GMGB, an offshoot of the Bloody Reign collective that went to the system for Drug distribution of 50+ kilos, however if you know the history of RVA's notorious murder rate in the 90's would have to acknowledge the impact of this unity movement as the work of bloody reign directly coincides with the decreased murder rate that law enforcement tries to take all the credit for however unity movements such as Bloody Reign and other active street organizations such as NGE, FOI among others made major contributions to the unity in our communities.
There were also numerous other forward thinking members of the RVA Hip-Hop community such as D.U.C., Superfriendz, Disorganized Union, El Bravador, Sir Rj Chris Brooks, Dj Mike Street, Lonnie B, GodFellaz, Tribe of Juda and yours truly that put in work to help unify our people through the love of hip-hop.

My point being music has the power to change and save lives if used properly, and coming from the heart of the struggle you get the purest gems so to those think that RVA artists are all imitation Atl, Ny, Tx or some other place and that we don't have a unique sound i recommend that rather just than looking at who has the most youtube views and plays put your ears to the street where the real work is being done.
As with most cities nowdays there are many out here emulating what they hear in the industry in attempts to make a quick buck but we also have true artists who's work is reflective of the struggles and experiences of our city down to the lingo, fashion etc.
There are also major players in the industry such as Mobb Deep​, JAY Z​, some of Atlanta's pioneers and many others who were greatly influenced by our culture including our lingo which crept it's way to NY, ATL, the DMV area, Tx and other places. Checking the credits to Jay Z's reasonable doubt album will reveal that 2 of his first successful singles (Dead Presidents and Ain't no nigga) both sampled RVA artists music, Mobb Deep's Prodigy wrote most of his verses to Hell on Earth while spending the summer of 1996 here in RVA and many other groups that used to come here also adopted various things from us so all my upcoming artists do your research and recognize the greatness that you are a part of! 

Pictured here are serveral members of the Bloody Reign, a highly influential collective of hip-hop artists and activists who put in major work during Richmond Virginia's turbulent 90's era and helped change RVA from the murder capitol of U.S. into the progressive city it has become today.
Below is a classic recording from Bloody Reign founders Cloud 9 and El Roy, produced by Diallo , the go to producer for many RVA artists of the time.
This song adresses the struggles faced by many in this chaotic era or RVA history.

Love is the Power!!!