“Outrun This Choppa” from Sterlo Smoke is a track that brings the energy of drill music, trap music, and gangsta vibes with a twist of spirituality. With battle tested bars, witty wordplay, and memorable childhood references, this record presents zeal in a militaristic type of chant. Initially, the listener will believe that the choppa being used is an actual automatic assault rifle. Then, the verses begin with what seems to be a spiritual assault on demons and evil spirits being shot at with the Word of God. This particular choppa doesn’t aim at flesh and blood, instead it is equipped for spiritual warfare where good versus evil begins.

A new category of music has arrived on the scene and it is taking the world by storm. FGM, or Fear God Music, is a one of a kind sound that combines the hardcore elements of trap music with the spirituality of gospel. Enter the pioneer of the new age Psalms, Sterlo Smoke, a Gangsta Guardian Angel that has been sent to spread the gospel through gangsta parables. During the day, Sterlo is a 26 year old born in Bessemer, “Sweet Home” Alabama who enjoys reading, photography & videography, graphic design, cooking, and sports. When nighttime arrives, Sterlo fuses with his spiritual protector in order to become a spiritual superhero who saves innocent souls from the wicked, evil spirits that run rampant here on Earth.

His primary weapon to defeat demons is the Word of God, which is quick, powerful, and sharper than any double edged sword. His weapon is infused within his heavy bars to spit spiritual venom through the airwaves. With his signature bloody half-mask, Sterlo Smoke brings the initial fear of God within his gritty yet merciful sound that can seem quite frightening at first. When you continue to listen, figuring out the man behind the mask, you will see that there’s a side of love, peace, patience, and understanding. This is the perfect combination of zeal, knowledge, and power that makes the Word of God relatable to the trials and tribulations that we all face while figuring out what life actually is.

The Bessemer, Alabama native Sterlo Smoke has been a lover of music since a young age. Initially, the genres of music that was being consumed by Sterlo was Jazz, R&B, Gospel, and soul, with a sample size amount of hip hop music. His family began to call him a crooner, or a singer who sings sentimental songs in a soft, low voice, after catching him singing Marvin Gaye songs. Then there was a shift in musical influence around the time that Sterlo was 13 years old. At this point, trap music stars such as Gucci Mane, T.I., Yo Gotti, Three 6 Mafia, along with other southern street hip hop artist were on the rise in the South and suddenly the love of this particular style of music began.

As a former high school football standout at one of the nation’s top powerhouses at Hoover High School (Hoover, AL), Sterlo accepted a full time scholarship to play at Arkansas State University. Once his playing career ended, and a shot at the NFL came to close, Sterlo continued to pursue advancing his education and received his Masters degree in Sports Administration. Relocating to several different states for career advancements, Sterlo continued to freestyle over beats in front of his peers. As he continued to practice, the confidence started to increase and the bars were becoming more relatable with catchy punch lines. Then the turning point happened in March of 2018 once he relocated to Dallas, TX.

Sterlo became reborn by being baptized in a river in Dallas and Christ opened up a door of spiritual creativity that never crossed Sterlo’s mind while making music. From that moment forward, the willingness and eagerness to study the hip hop culture, the schemes, the story telling, and the elements to make high quality music kindled the fire within Sterlo Smoke to pursue a career in music. To be able to keep it real, relatable, and spiritual is a tall task for most. This is why artists such as Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Nipsey Hussle are such heavy influences on Sterlo’s music for their ability to take the listener into deep thought while still being melodic, smooth, and how easy it is to digest their bars.

At the same time, other street hip hop influencers such as 21 Savage, Tekashi 6ix9ine, Young Dolph, and the Migos can be noticed within Sterlo Smoke’s style. The main difference between most street rappers and Sterlo Smoke is instead of bringing that smoke to someone physically, Smoke brings it spiritually. He does not wrestle with blood and flesh, but rather against principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness in this world (Ephesians 6:12). The arrival of Sterlo Smoke is here so be prepared to DUCK THE SMOKE!