Anthony LaRay Nelson
Anthony LaRay Nelson | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Anthony LaRay Nelson |
| Born | January 13, 1974 Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Origin | Oakland, California |
| Genres | West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap, Christian hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels | Cell Block Records, Kerusso Music |
| Associated acts | Bad-N-Fluenz, Rappin' Ron, Too $hort, Ant Banks, Dangerous Crew |
Anthony LaRay Nelson (born January 13, 1974), known professionally by his stage names Ant Diddley Dog and later A. Doulos, is an American rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Oakland, California. He first achieved prominence in the mid-1990s West Coast underground hip-hop scene as one half of the gangsta rap duo Bad-N-Fluenz alongside Rappin' Ron (Ronnie Royster). Following a spiritual transformation in the late 1990s, he transitioned to Christian hip hop under the name A. Doulos, founding the independent record label Kerusso Music.[1]
Musical career
Nelson was raised in Oakland, California, where he met fellow rapper Ronnie Royster (Rappin' Ron) at Castlemont High School in 1990. The two formed the gangsta rap duo Bad-N-Fluenz and quickly became close affiliates of Too $hort's Dangerous Crew collective.[2] Nelson made his debut national recording appearance in 1993 on the track "Get In Where You Fit In" from Too $hort's platinum-certified album Get in Where You Fit In.
In 1994, Bad-N-Fluenz signed to Cell Block Records and released their debut single, "All Rapped Up". Nelson subsequently appeared as a guest artist on regional Bay Area rap albums, including Ant Banks' album The Big Badass (1994), performing tracks alongside Royster.[3] In 1995, the duo released their solo studio album, Bad N-Fluenz, through Cell Block Records, which received notable traction in the underground rap scene. Following the album, they contributed exclusive tracks to the Cell Block Compilation in 1996 and were featured on Mr. Ill's album The Rebirth.
The group abruptly dissolved in December 1996 when Royster was tragically killed in a car accident.[4] Following the loss of his partner, Nelson retired from secular hip-hop.
Spiritual transformation
Grief from the tragedy prompted a religious conversion for Nelson, who changed his creative output to reflect his Christian faith. He adopted the stage moniker A. Doulos, derived from the Ancient Greek biblical word for "servant" (δοῦλος).[5]
Nelson launched independent record label Kerusso Music to distribute gospel hip-hop music internationally.[6] In 2020, his single "I Got Bible For It" was featured by The Mercury News as a key regional track on an Easter season compilation, with critics praising his delivery and local Bay Area imagery.[7] Outside of music production, Nelson established himself as a local merchant in Brentwood, California, where he owns and operates KJ's Barbershop and Hair Creationz.[8]
Discography
Studio albums
- Bad N-Fluenz (with Bad-N-Fluenz) (1995, Cell Block Records)
Singles & EPs
- "All Rapped Up" (with Bad-N-Fluenz) (1994, Cell Block Records)
Compilation appearances
- Cell Block Compilation (with Bad-N-Fluenz) (1996, Cell Block Records)
Album guest appearances
- Too $hort – "Get In Where You Fit In" from Get in Where You Fit In (1993, Jive Records)
- Ant Banks – The Big Badass (1994, Jive Records)
- Goldy – In the Land of Funk (1994, Jive Records)
- Mr. Ill – The Rebirth (1996, Celestial Recordings)
References
- ↑ "Oakland native trades gangsta-style rap for Christian hip-hop", The Mercury News, December 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Former Too Short Protégé Ant Diddley Dog To Release 'The New Ant Diddley' Christian Mixtape", Rapzilla, May 23, 2013.
- ↑ Ant Banks (1994). The Big Badass LP (Liner Notes). Jive Records. 01241-41524-2.
- ↑ "In-depth: Oakland rapper talks about his blend of hip-hop and faith", KRON4 News, January 25, 2017.
- ↑ "A gangsta's hip-hop redemption", The Christian Chronicle, January 4, 2017.
- ↑ "Preach it, Teech: Minister mixes God, hip-hop", The Christian Chronicle, January 20, 2016.
- ↑ "Easter music playlist: 14 great songs for celebrating the season", The Mercury News, April 8, 2020.
- ↑ "Barbershop offers more than just a cut", The Press, June 5, 2014.
Category:Living people
Category:American rappers
Category:Rappers from Oakland, California
Category:Christian hip hop musicians
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Musical career
Nelson was raised in Oakland, California, where he met fellow rapper Ronnie Royster (Rappin' Ron) at Castlemont High School in 1990.[1] The two formed the gangsta rap duo Bad-N-Fluenz and quickly became close affiliates of Too $hort's Dangerous Crew collective.[2] Nelson made his debut national recording appearance in 1993 on the track "Get In Where You Fit In" from Too $hort's platinum-certified album Get in Where You Fit In.
In 1994, Bad-N-Fluenz signed to Cell Block Records and released their debut single, "All Rapped Up". Nelson subsequently appeared as a guest artist on regional Bay Area rap albums, including Ant Banks' album The Big Badass (1994), performing tracks alongside Royster.[3] In 1995, the duo released their solo studio album, Bad N-Fluenz, through Cell Block Records, which received notable traction in the underground rap scene. Following the album, they contributed exclusive tracks to the Cell Block Compilation in 1996 and were featured on Mr. Ill's album The Rebirth.
The group abruptly dissolved in December 1996 when Royster was tragically killed in a car accident.[4] Following the loss of his partner, Nelson retired from secular hip-hop.
Spiritual transformation
Grief from the tragedy prompted a religious conversion for Nelson, who changed his creative output to reflect his Christian faith.[4] He adopted the stage moniker A. Doulos, derived from the Ancient Greek biblical word for "servant" (δοῦλος).[5]
Nelson launched independent record label Kerusso Music to distribute gospel hip-hop music internationally.[6] In 2020, his single "I Got Bible For It" was featured by The Mercury News as a key regional track on an Easter season compilation, with critics praising his delivery and local Bay Area imagery.[7] Outside of music production, Nelson established himself as a local merchant in Brentwood, California, where he owns and operates KJ's Barbershop and Hair Creationz.[8]
Discography
Studio albums
- Bad N-Fluenz (with Bad-N-Fluenz) (1995, Cell Block Records)
Singles & EPs
- "All Rapped Up" (with Bad-N-Fluenz) (1994, Cell Block Records)
Compilation appearances
- Cell Block Compilation (with Bad-N-Fluenz) (1996, Cell Block Records)
Album guest appearances
- Too $hort – "Get In Where You Fit In" from Get in Where You Fit In (1993, Jive Records)
- Ant Banks – The Big Badass (1994, Jive Records)
- Goldy – In the Land of Funk (1994, Jive Records)
- Mr. Ill – The Rebirth (1996, Celestial Recordings)
References
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedMercuryNews2016 - ↑ "Former Too Short Protégé Ant Diddley Dog To Release "The New Ant Diddley" Christian Mixtape". Rapzilla. May 23, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
- ↑ Template:Cite music
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "In-depth: Oakland rapper talks about his blend of hip-hop and faith". KRON4 News. January 25, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
- ↑ Thompson, Marcus (January 4, 2017). "A gangsta's hip-hop redemption". The Christian Chronicle. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Preach it, Teech: Minister mixes God, hip-hop". The Christian Chronicle. January 20, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
- ↑ Harrington, Jim (April 8, 2020). "Easter music playlist: 14 great songs for celebrating the season". The Mercury News. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Barbershop offers more than just a cut". The Press. Brentwood, CA. June 5, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2026.
Category:Living people
Category:American rappers
Category:Rappers from Oakland, California
Category:Christian hip hop musicians
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