The 5 are a dynamic cast of young men that were hand selected by Keeplock Entertainment to create a contemporary super rap group, representing the five boroughs of New York. Everyone in the group has faced overwhelming odds and maneuvered through the deadly landscapes of the urban jungle. Today’s youth are constantly challenged to avoid becoming imprisoned, victims of crime or worse they are forced into becoming criminals with few options and even slimmer chances of hope. Through music, the 5 have found their salvation and created a new family of brothers that are bravely writing a new page in hip hop history. Each distinctive voice from the 5 has always loved to rhyme. Growing up listening to classic rap records while admiring the legendary artist, 2 Pac, Biggie, etc. they found their way into the music business through chance. None of the members previously knew one another but they have quickly formed a tight bond that is apparent in their music. The 5 are: G Light (Brooklyn), Fasho (Queens), Young Stat (Staten Island), PK (Bronx), and Streetz (Harlem). G-Light knows how one event can forever change your life. He explains “My style is Goon music. I rap for the brothers in the streets the ones that are locked up.” G-Light spent over a decade of his young life in prison, as a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s when he decided, “My point of view became completely different. I cry now so I can laugh later I’m working hard to establish myself. I realize that now there are no shortcuts in life.” G-Light describes his style, “I’m the aggressor. I’m the beast of the crew.” Fasho is a first generation immigrant that has also spent time in Canada and Nigeria. But he has spent most of his life and makes his home now in Queens. As a youngster when his mother was incarcerated he moved to Nigeria to live with his Father. The culture shock was overwhelming. The time that he spent there was difficult but he learned to deal with everything by putting his emotions aside and using his music to express himself. He feels that he brings “the sex symbol -element to the 5.” Fasho got most of his experience as a performer in the church when he started out performing in plays. He eventually left the church and he found himself constantly freestyling . Fasho started keeping a musical diary rhyming about his life and pouring out his heart over instrumentals those experiences come out in his descriptive lyrics that will remain in the listener’s memory forever. Young Stat is soft spoken when he’s not behind the mic. As a child he was around music because his Father played the congas and his friend’s used to always come over to his house and make demos. He was the only one with a computer at the time but he didn’t participate because he wanted to take time to get his skills up. Stat says “My Dad told me that I was monotone but he stressed that practice and passion are important. You have to go 100% all the time. “ Stat feels that he is “the work horse of the group. I come early, leave late, come with a bunch of hooks” he knows that the 5 are eventually going to take over the rap game. PK has also had to deal with a severe stutter. His Mom was an active member of the Zulu Nation all he listened to was rap music. He wants to eventually start a charity for other people that stutter. “I want to show people you can do what you dream.” PK went the scholastic route getting a degree in Business management but music pulled him back. “At the time I started writing rhymes seriously I just felt it. The South took over and there weren’t a lot of artist coming out of New York. Now we’re bringing it back.” PK brings “motivation to the group. I spit about what’s happening. I stay on topic and try to make people think when they listen.” The youngest member of the group, Streetz is always ready to jump on a song. “I bring a lot of versatility; I always change up my flows and make sure to fit the beats.” Streetz got into hip hop when his step Father was making beats in the basement. Since he was 9 years old he always dreamed of making records. However life didn’t quite turn out as he planned. He has had to deal with legal struggles yet he continues to participate in the group. He also feels that he has the pressure of carrying the torch for the next generation. “People can always tell there’s a certain style associated with Harlem-we always take everything and make it our own.” This year Keeplock Entertainment and The 5 are preparing for their assault on the music industry. Starting off with a mix tape, The 5 Revolutionary Suicide with tons of new music filled with nothing but bangers! The 5 has also just shot a video for “You Don’t Like Me”. Other songs include “War Zone” and “Where You From” featuring DJ Khalid. The 5 has been in the studio working on their debut album and preparing to start performing all around New York City. Hip Hop needs to be put on alert, the 5 is about to kick start the next Golden Age of Hip Hop. Keeplock Entertainment has had a very successful history in the music industry the company has had 2 major deals with TVT and Universal/Fontana. During their stint with TNT the artist Country Boi and his single, “I’m A Boss” featuring Rick Ross and Slim Thug cracked the Billboard Top 100 singles chart. While at Universal/Fontana their artist Sonny Rich recorded the memorable single “Supa Hot” featuring platinum artist Nicki Minaj and Jim Jones. Keeplock Entertainment has also worked with many other artists including Slim Thug, Vado, Jae Millz and producers Self Service, Rockwilder and Baby Paul. For more information on Keeplock Entertainment visit www.keeplockent.com