TFC-Thugs For Christ

Aaron J. West Sr. and Venus W. Stinson Jr. were two very active and ambitious individuals. They both would hang out with their older brothers and their friends and were willing to try just about anything to be called cool. Both of them wanted to be family men and have very successful careers. Aaron wanted to be like his father. He dreamed of landing a good job and working his way to the top. Venus was an aspiring athlete with hopes of going pro in football and track. But all of that severly merged when God began to unfold his plan for them in their lives.

Aaron was born the third child to Richard and Robin West on October 14th, 1981 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He was the youngest of the three and always looked for guidance from his older brother and his father. Some 200 miles away and two months later, Venus was born in Fort Pierce, FL on December 31st to Venus and Essie Stinson. Like Aaron, Venus was the third child born, but he was not the youngest. Even though these two future pioneers were born and raised months and miles apart, their paths would soon cross and they would embark on a never ending journey of pleasing God.

In April of 2006, after moving to Fort Lauderdale 4 1/2 years earlier and starting a rap group, Venus and Aaron finally met. With Venus being the mastermind behind the group, he gave Aaron the acceptance that he needed to pursue the entertainment career he was now seeking. Aaron and Venus were to major ingredients in the groups local success. But that soon changed without any warning at all. The other members of the group and some fans wondered what was the reason for the change and some even did not understand why it happened. Nonetheless, it was a move that would forever changed the lives of not only Venus and Aaron, but so many others that were involved with them.

In September of 2006, Venus made the decision that he would completely leave the group and not only pursue a career singing Gospel music, but he also rededicated his life to serving the most high. Once Aaron heard of Venus' decision, he questioned him about it and Venus simply answered; "I can't play these games anymore". Being that Aaron was raised a Jehovah Witness and really did not understand God, his works, and his promises, Venus explained them to him. Venus understood God very well being that he was raised in the church and his step-father and mother were ministers. After closely listening to Venus, Aaron also decided to leave the group and pursue a life of peace, joy, and love with God.

The two of them agreed that they would both continue to do rap music, but it had to be to the up lifting of the Lord. Being that Venus played the keyboard in church, had been in concerts as early as age 9 with The Williams Brothers, and was an up and coming producer, he would compose the music. With Venus putting the music together and the both of them writing their own lyrics that would coincide with the goodness of God, they began to plot on taking over the music industry by storm; of course with help from above. The duo, now known as Thugs For Christ [TFC - Bishop (Venus) and AJ (Aaron)], recorded their first album, performed at local events, and even had a few of their songs played on the radio. Thugs For Christ continues to do their best not only promoting their album, but also reaching out to others in desperate need of God's undenying love. One of their goals was to speak to and touch today's youth by sharing their testimonies and lifes experiences with and without God through song. By faith and with confidence, Thugs For Christ knew that God would open the doors of success in order for the world to hear their messages. Along with that helping hand they proudly say, "I bet you can't listen just once".