G Rod
Adrian, Michigan, United States | MAJOR
Music
Press
ADRIAN, Mich. — When Adrian-based rapper Gerod Sturgis went out on Halloween night in 1999 he ended up overdosing on heroin, cocaine and marijuana. Paramedics pronounced him dead upon arrival.
“That would be my normal weekend,” he said. “This time my heart stopped and they couldn’t draw any blood from me.”
Cheating death led Sturgis to simultaneously devote himself to his two biggest passions: his faith in God and hip-hop. Since surviving his near-death experience, Sturgis has kept clean. He said this moment in his life led him to Christian hip-hop.
“I had an out-of-body experience, and I promised God that I would stop rapping for Satan and I’d rap for him,” he said. “Ever since then, I’ve been clean.”
Under the moniker “G-Rod,” Sturgis has released an album, “Suffer Then Reign” and is set to release his sophomore effort, “The Remedy,” in June. He has performed solo and with various Christian music groups at youth conferences.
In addition to performing nationwide, Sturgis also serves as a youth minister at the Image of God Christian Church in Adrian and works at the church’s office. Sturgis’ second album is set to drop under Adullam House Records, a company started by the church’s pastor, Claude Bevier, who also shares Sturgis’ love for music.
“He goes by the name Big Shadow and he produces my beats,” Sturgis said.
Sturgis remembers becoming interested in rap at a young age.
“When I was in fourth grade, my teacher saw how I did nursery rhymes,” he said. “She suggested I get into poetry — that eventually led to rap.”
Growing up in Delaware exposed Sturgis to the East Coast hip-hop scene. While artists like the Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas, Tech Nine and DMX inspired him to get in the game, he was also drawn in other directions.
“One day I realized that music was starting to influence me to do things that weren’t right, like robbing and stealing,” he said.
Today, Sturgis tries to use hip-hop to help people who might be on the same path as he once was. He said that, while the music industry has a platform to deliver a message that can bring freedom and joy, they’re giving the opposite.
“They’re headed for destruction,” he said. “Music can take words where words can’t take themselves.”
Sturgis said hip-hop in general shouldn’t be demonized. He refers to his subgenre as “the other side of the tape.”
“You have an A-side and a B-Side, negative and positive, good and bad,” he said.
Sturgis’ lyrics consist of references to biblical verses as well as anecdotes from his life. He said he wants to use his music to help people better understand the Bible and to provide guidance for people going through what he had previously endured.
“I try to use my experience to help people in the situation I was in,” he said.
One aspect of being a musician that appeals to Sturgis is performing live. The emcee has traveled around the U.S. with Fire Choir, a group of Christian musicians that consists of musicians from many different genres.
“We toured about 50 cities in about a year,” Sturgis said.
Sturgis’ wife, Stephani, who also serves as a youth minister at their church, said she enjoys watching her husband perform live.
“Every time he has a show I don’t know what to expect,” she said. “He’s great at getting the crowd worked up.”
While many people who become musicians aim for stardom and riches, Sturgis has more humble goals.
“If I get money, it’s fine,” he said. “My real aim is to save somebody who’s thinking of committing suicide, or murder.”
Sturgis said he hasn’t forgotten how fortunate he is to not be 6 feet under the ground. He strongly encourages those involved in the lifestyle he once was in to not give up hope.
“You shouldn’t let life situations burden you down so hard that you aren’t able to grow,” he said. “Everyone has potential.”
Copyright 2010 The Daily Telegram. Some rights reserved
- By Sotirios Adamopoulos of Daily Telegram
Album to be released in Christian Bookstores nationwide through Infinity Music Distribution on August 17th 2010. - Adullam House Global
Discography
1. Suffer Then Reign 2004 Wise Up Records.
2. The Remedy coming in 2013
Adullam House Global.
Photos
Bio
My Story
G-Rod, (Gerod Sturgis) born January 25, 1979, in Selbyville, Delaware was definitely born for the purposes of edifying the Kingdom of God and faced opposition from the enemy, even since the beginning of his life. His mother experienced great difficulties in delivering G-Rod, and even was faced with the choice of her own life over his. His mother chose life for him, and he was born at 10 months 10lbs and 7oz, a big healthy baby boy, and they both made it.
Later on in his life the enemy tried many different times to end his life and his potential to be used for the Kingdom. He experienced three car accidents, one of which the car flipped over five times carrying himself, a 16 and a 6 yr old passenger, and they all walked away with no scratches.
After making a few bad choices, Gerod began heavily selling and using drugs, which led to an overdose on Halloween October 31, 1999, nearly ending his life. He was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead on the scene. He experienced intense spiritual warfare during this time, and promised to God that if he were to get him through this he would serve Him for the rest of His life. God did save Gerod on that day, and since then, he has been using his gifts of poetry, rap, and preaching Gods word to serve Him.
Biography
1999 Worked with EASTSTAR
Collaborated with artists such as: Da Flock, John Da Baptist. Those included in the group EASTSTAR were G-Rod, Troy, Bailey, Greg S., Tazia. They would use their individual gifts of rapping and/or singing Gospel Hip Hop in various churches, conferences, and events around Delmarva.
2000 Generation X Youth Conference
While on tour with the Gospel rap group Da Flock, Gerod performed original solo pieces. The conference was a youth conference tour which brought out approximately 8,000 people. Other known artist consisted of Virtue, and Kuttlas.
2001 Youth Conference with over 2,000 in attendance Philadelphia, PA
Gerod was advertised in opening with original poetry, and song performance for the large conference. Well known artists were also advertised, which some consisted of Isreal and New Breed, Fred Hammond, and Dietrich Haddon.
2002 Mens Conference in Atlanta, GA
Shared the stage with The Grits, and Canton Jones while ministering original solo pieces, as well as collaborating with John Da Baptist. There were over 4,000 people in attendance, and there was a great move of the Holy Spirit.
2003 2005 Wise up Records
Participated in 2 large tours, Life or Death, and Acquire the Fire consisting of a total of 30 cities across America, with producer, L.G. Wise, former artist of GrapeTree Records. The Acquire the Fire Tour held the minimum in attendance of 17,000 people, and maximum in attendance of 20,000 people on weekend shows. Ron Luce, as seen on TBN, heavily participated in speaking, and the development of the tour.
Recorded solo album entitled, Suffer then Reign in 2004, including other recording artist such as: L.G. Wise, Mr. G. Reality, and Future.
2007 Adullam House Global
Performed at the Gospel Music Awards for the Hip Hop after party. Other artist included in this event were Canton Jones, Precise, Pettidee, Grits, Japhia Life, Soul P, Demetrius, Urban D, Mr. Del, and Pigeon John.
Youth service at Daytona Beach, FL with CEO of Adullam House Records, Big Shadow, and former GrapeTree artists Lil Raskull, and Antonius.
2008 - Present - Assisted in the Founding of Image of God Christian Center Church in Adrian, MI
Along side of Pastor Claude E. Bevier, (BIG Shadow), G-Rod assisted in starting a Word of Faith Church in Southeast Michigan, which is now under the leadership of Living Word Christian Center in Roosevelt, IL, under Pastor Bill Winston.
Gerod was very dedicated to seeing the ministry flourish as he assisted in several departments and in several different capacities throughout the years some of which including assisting in running of the Men's Discipleship Home, running media department, serving in the music ministry, drama department, wherever needed, and currently serving as the Youth Pastor.
2010 Eikon Entertainment & Turn Challenge Tour
Helped in the forming of the new face of Adullam House Records, Eikon Entertainment, as they launch the beginning of Claude Bevier Ministries (CBM), Turn Challenge Tour.
2013 Release of "The Remedy" and "Crying Out" Video
G-Rod's sophomore album, "The Remedy" was released with the hit single "Crying Out" as his TV ready music video. Marks the beginning of "The Remedy" Album Release Tour.
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