Apollos

2. A Christian self-categorized Alternative/Ambient/Rock group from Minnesota. (2011-present)

1. Apollos is a Gospel Hip Hop Artist, Musician (Guitarist) and Producer hailing from the upstate region of Buffalo, NY. He has been humbly serving the Lord ever since he accepted Christ back in 2003. His music ministry brings a fresh new sound that combines rugged east coast beats, crazy wild guitar stylings and a strong emphasis on theologically sound, Christ centered lyricism.

In the past Apollos has formerly been known as the underground hip hop Producer and Guitarist: "Colosus" (receiving various accolades such as a “Best Hip-Hop Producer” nomination from “The Buffalo Music Awards” (2000)[1], along with critical acclaim from such source publications as “Night-Life Magazine” [2] and “The Underground Directory”). [3] Apollos is the founder of John 3:16 Ministries (an Urban Street Teaching Ministry), as well as the Owner / President of the Independent Label: Colosal Productions. Apollos decided to change his artist name after identifying with Apollos from the book of Acts (Acts 18:24-28) [4] stating: “This cat (Apollos) was powerful in the scriptures, yet humble enough to except correction in his doctrine…that shows the true heart that we all should strive to have as servants of the Lord”.

Influences

Apollos brings a wealth of musical diversity to the table. As a Musician / Producer he is student of various styles of musical influence including: Christian Hip Hop, Gospel, Christian Contemporary, Christian Rock, Hip Hop, Blues, Jazz, R and B, Classic Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive, Pop and Country to name a few. Apollos has repeatedly stated that he is a "Hip Hip Purist" drawing the majority of his Production influence from hip hops "Golden Age" circa (1986-1998). His influence On the guitar draws from the Classic Rock era circa (1964-1991) as well as the Chicago electric blues styles of the 50s and 60s. He has stated that once he came to faith in Christ he gave up listing to "secular music" for enjoyment purposes, becoming disenchanted with the "glorification" of "excess" and "licentiousness". He has stated while he still respects certain players for their musical ability, "it would be great to have guys who could play that style of guitar without glorifying sin in their music?"

Recordings and Albums

As a Christian artist in (2009) he released the Prog Rock / Hip Hop fusion instrumental guitar album “Colosus” (featured in Michael Molenda’s “Guitar Player Magazine” column [5]). In (2010) Apollos stepped behind the mic for the 1st time in almost fifteen years to “Preach Christ through the medium of hip hop...” as he calls it. As an emcee Apollos brings an old school flavor reminiscent of hip hop’s “Golden Age”, yet as a Christian he bring’s Christ centered, Theologically sound lyricism. Apollos has stated that his return to the mic was based on "a combination of a burden for the lost and a re energized inspiration to rhyme after being influenced by Christian hip hop artist such as The Cross Movement, Lamp Mode and Christcentric”.

Apollos has recently released the follow up to the underground successful “Theological Implications 101” album (2011), aptly titled "Frontlines" (2012). As stated earlier this trail blazing sophomore album features a whole new sound that combines rugged east coast beats, with crazy wild guitar styling, and as always Christ centered theologically sound lyricism. There are also plans to reissue the "Colosus" project under the new title "Apollos Presents: Colosus" either in early (2012).

Discography

Albums and Singles

Year- Album

2009- Colosus

*Release Date: January 25, 2009

*Label: Colosal Productions

2010- The Truth About Christ-mas, Maxi Single

*Release Date: December 1, 2010

*Label: Colosal Productions

2011- Theological Implications 101

*Release Date: January 25, 2011

*Label: Colosal Productions

2012- Frontlines

*Release Date: January 25, 2012

*Label: Colosal Productions

2012- Apollos Presents: Colosus

*Release Date: TBA

*Label: Colosal Productions

Music Videos

*The Name Of The Lord: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZiV1k4LOWU and list=UUCigMQzPUYUHpbdzbUbv98Q and index=2 and feature=plcp

*Pride {What God Hates}: http://vimeo.com/33391302

*The Truth About Christ-mas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbktbKwNgv4 and feature=related

Documentaries, Mini Docs and Promos

*Apollos: New "Frontlines" Album - Mini Documentary - Prt 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pGIYPy3aVU and list=UUCigMQzPUYUHpbdzbUbv98Q and index=3 and feature=plcp

*Apollos: New "Frontlines" Album - Mini Documentary - Prt 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XFq21xzbX4 and feature=related

*Apollos: "Frontlines" CD Promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaBQsowJeyM and feature=related

References

1. ^ Night-Life Magazine (October 2, 2000) Vol. 19, No. 16, Page 19

2. ^ Night-Life Magazine (February 21, 2000), Vol. 18, No. 36, Page 5

3. ^ The Underground Directory (January 2000), Issue 13, Page 5

4. ^ The Holy Bible, {Acts 18:24-28}

5. ^ Guitar Player Magazine (July 2009), Vol. 43, No. 7, Page 22

External links

http://www.facebook.com/Apollos7171?sk=info

http://www.reverbnation.com/Apollos7171

http://apollos.bandcamp.com/album/frontlines

http://www.youtube.com/user/John316Ministries

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/john-3-16-ministries

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/apollos-channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/Apollos7171

http://www.myspace.com/apollos7171

http://www.myspace.com/colosusjohn316

2. Apollos is a relatively new band from Minneapolis, MN. Formed in 2011. In September 2013 they released their first EP titled Ethos and in January 2014 they released an acoustic version of Final Words as a single.

External links

https://www.facebook.com/ApollosMN

http://apollosmn.bandcamp.com/

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