Prolific Christian rapper Sevin began his artistic career at a young age and would rise consistently throughout the 2000's and beyond. Starting with self-produced albums and mixtapes in the late 90's, he eventually expanded his platform to include a wide-reaching ministry organization and Billboard-charting records released on bigger labels. As his career burned on his albums were more and more successful, with offerings like 2016's Purple Heart finding Sevin at his most defined and sharpest statements of religious devotion in the face of urban blight. Sevin was born Marques Adams in San Jose, California in 1981. He grew up in Sacramento, California while in his teens began writing rap songs dealing with the trials and tribulations of street life. From the start, his music aimed to promote a positive, faith-driven lifestyle as an alternative to drugs, violence, and gang activity. He released his debut album All or None in 1999 when he was still just 17 years old. In 2001, he founded an urban ministry titled HOG MOB (Hooked on God, Ministry Over Business). The organization would spread to include chapters in 40 cities spanning three countries. The next several years saw Sevin releasing music non-stop, amassing a catalog that included upwards of 15 albums and mixtapes. Commissary (2013) was Sevin's first album to hit the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. After signing with God Over Money Records in 2016, Sevin's album Purple Heart was an even bigger success, hitting multiple Billboard charts. Never resting, the rapper issued multiple mixtapes before returning with 2018 album Rather Die Than Deny. ~ Paul Simpson