Biography

M.V.P., the CEO of Divne Flava Records, was born and raised in South Carolina by his mother Evelyn until he was eleven years of age. At that time his mother remarried and they moved to Tucson, Arizona. This was his step-father's final military duty station.

M.V.P. has loved rap for as far as he could remember. At the age of 14, he joined a Christian rap group called the Dynamite Mix which became the Underground Shadows of Wisdom after committing his life to Christ. M.V.P.'s tenure with the group was short lived though due to his failing grades in school. After performing in the group for a year, and with no more positive friends around him when he departed the rap group, M.V.P. found new friends who were involved in gang related activities. By the age of sixteen, he was hanging with members of a crip gang called the Eastside Hoova Crips. They accepted him into the gang, and due to him always keeping his head bald they named him lil' nugget.

By the age of eighteen, M.V.P. was already arrested for crimes varying from grand theft auto, to grand theft larceny. His grades in school never got better, and his parents feared the worst for him. The gang life took its toll on M.V.P. when he was arrested for burglary and facing time in prison. M.V.P. was fortunate though when he managed to enlist in the military before his court date was scheduled.

In 1998, upon leaving the military after four years, M.V.P. found himself at another crossroad in his life. Feeling empty inside and wanting peace in his life, he found himself in a church service one Sunday afternoon. After the sermon the pastor gave an altar call that M.V.P. just couldn’t pass up.

Two months after recommitting his life to Christ, M.V.P. began writing and performing Christian rhymes again. He gave himself the name M.V.P., which means Messiah's Valuable Property, based on the scripture, James 1:18. He also chose that name because he wanted to be an M.V.P. in the Gospel rap industry as well.

In May of 2000, MVP started Divine Flava Records and began working on his debut album entitled "Fired Up" which became he first release from the newly formed label. After forming label M.V.P. signed 5 other artist to the label and released 20 albums in the now 10 years of business and ministry of the company. M.V.P. is married to Jessica Nieman, and they are the proud parents of three healthy children, Tyshon, Tevin, and Aubree. M.V.P. believes that Divine Flava Records, along with its artists, staff, and supporters, will make a difference in the lives of those who hear their music, hoping that they will put their faith in Christ and except Him as their personal lord and savior. The 20th release from Divine Flava Records is a compilation entitled "20.10:The Compilation" which features exclusive tracks never heard before and features all the artist who are still on the label til this day. This compilation celebrates 10 years of faithful ministry, business and service in the gospel music industry.