Following in the tradition of great super groups from the West Coast such as NWA, Westside Connection and The Dogg Pound are none other than underground hitters, A-Wax and Gonzoe. Formed in early 2009, the two artists held a mutual respect for each others music over the years from a distance.

This dynamic duo was brought together by music entrepreneur Lito (C.E.O. of Illburn Records), as he was fans of both artists, and decided that he wanted his first release from his fledgling label to be a group made up of the two young rap phenoms.

What’s most amazing about this union is that not only did A-Wax and Gonzoe never think they would be making music together, but they probably would have been mortal enemies in the streets, seeing as how A-Wax is a member of the Bloods and Gonzoe is a Crip. All street differences to the side, the two artists’s immediately clicked upon meeting and their resulting musical collaborations were nothing short
of a “perfect fit.”

Although A-Wax was raised in Pittsburg, CA in the Bay Area he was shipped off to Seattle as a teenager where he joined the Elm Street Piru Bloods. A murder case (that he plead down to Manslaughter) sent him to Walla Walla State Penitentiary for more than five years and when he was released, A-Wax made his way home to the Bay where he would master his rap skills and start his career. After remaining a staple on the underground scene, A-Wax finally caught a break as a guest on Baby Bash's GOLD selling album "Smokin Nephew". In addition to his many guest appearances, A-Wax has recorded with everyone from The Game to Mac Dre. After six solid albums, and dozens of mixtapes and compilations, A-Wax swears that RECESSION PROOF is his best work yet....

The other half of the dynamic duo is Gonzoe who first came to fame as a member of Ice Cub's Kausion in 1996. Shortly thereafter, the teenage Gonzoe would be recruited by the legendary 2Pac and become an official member of his Outlawz and would even be re-christened King Ritzy. After the untimely demise of his mentor, Gonzoe would circulate on the underground scene landing guest appearances on notable albums such as Kurupt's GOLD selling Kuruption and later join up with Yukmouth and help to found the underground collective known as the Regime. Now with his own label Blocwize Entertainment, Gonzoe has teamed up with A-Wax and his Pie-Rx Recordz to help found the rap powerhouse Illburn Records.

The first release from this union is a breath of fresh air for the independent rap scene, as Gonzoe brings his L.A. swag and tales of life in the limelight and A-Wax brings his thought provoking penitentiary tales mixed with his unique delivery. Recession Proof features production from platinum producer Happy Perez (Birdman, Master P, Baby Bash) as well as Nonstop (twista) and new comer producer slash R&B crooner Josh Franks. The album features 17 new tracks and A-Wax & Gonzoe are joined by their rap homies E-40, Brotha Lynch Hung, and C-Murder. All of this, combined with talent, perseverance and hard work, are sure to bring success to A-Wax & Gonzoe.