Rawsrvnt

Eduardo "Eddy" Ignacio Puyol (born July 4, 1979), who goes by the stage name Rawsrvnt (pronounced "raw servant"), is an American Christian hip hop artist, speaker, songwriter, and record producer. He has released five studio albums, five extended plays, several singles, and a few compilation albums with greatest hits.

Rawsrvnt
Rawsrvnt in April 2015
Background information
Birth nameEduardo Ignacio Puyol
Also known asEddy "Rawsrvnt" Puyol
Born (1979-07-04) July 4, 1979
Miami, Florida
OriginWest Palm Beach, Florida
GenresChristian hip hop
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, singer-songwriter
Years active2002–present
LabelsSoul Deep Records
Websiterawsrvnt.com

Early life

Rawsrvnt was born Eduardo Ignacio Puyol,[1] on July 4, 1979,[2] in Miami, Florida.[3] He has two younger siblings, a sister, Sofia, and a brother, Roberto ("Bobby").[4] His parents, Orlando and Susana (née, Smith), are both immigrants from Cuba. They own and operate a learning center for children.[5]

Music career

Rawsrvnt first came to national prominence in 2006 with his In Rare Form album. The project leaned heavy on hip hop-influenced covers and interpretations of popular praise songs and established the artist as a leader in the burgeoning worship space of the rap market. UK-based website Cross Rhythms called the effort "the best ever fusion of hip hop and worship ministry" and noted that it was "the benchmark for all future rappers seeking to get beyond dissing demons and the evangelism-by-numbers content of much holy hip hop."[6]

As In Rare Form continued to empower church leaders to incorporate more hip hop styles into their Sunday morning services, one of Christian music's largest annual tours, Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, hired Rawsrvnt to craft a theme song for their 2009 traveling showcase. According to Rapzilla.com, Winter Jam was the fourth ranked tour on Pollstar's 2008 First Quarter Ticket Sales Chart topping Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, The Police, and Foo Fighters.[7] The song was used for the next three years, and opened the door for additional hip hop artists like Lecrae to be featured on the tour.

In 2011, Rawsrvnt's No Ordinary Love album found its way on to the entry list for Best Gospel Album of the 54th Grammy Awards. The project featured the Top 40 Billboard hit "On Fire."[8][9]

Later that year he was invited to be a featured player on The Story Tour alongside some of Christian music's biggest names like Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael Tait, Newsboys, and Natalie Grant.[10] The partnership lasted through 2013 and provided an opportunity for the artist to perform as part of The Story Tour medley segment on the nationally televised 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards.[11]

Expanding his sound in 2012, Rawsrvnt created a hybrid EP with Jamaican reggae star St. Matthew titled Soul Deep. The project carried the momentum of one of its key tracks, "The Almighty," and won the 2012 En Sound Music Award for Best Gospel Reggae Song.[12]

Since then his music has impacted people's lives in a variety of ways. From the personal (a Netherlands couple danced down the wedding aisle to Rawsrvnt's "I Gotta Feeling/Take It All" mashup)[13][14] to the public (the same song was used by DJ Promote to warm up crowds on platinum-selling artist Chris Tomlin's "Burning Lights" tour),[15] it seems there's always a will and a way for Rawsrvnt's art to connect with people in every walk of life.

In 2010, Rawsrvnt was cast on Donald J. Trump Presents The Ultimate Merger reality television dating show. The invitation to participate as a potential suitor for Omarosa Manigault came after the show's producers contacted Rapzilla.com looking for eligible bachelors with a unique look and story.

In response to criticism about his motivation for participating in the show, Rawsrvnt told the Houston Chronicle "Honestly, Christians have a hard time with this. I thought it would be cool to show what a real one looks like and how he approaches dating," Puyol said.[16]

He was eliminated in the third episode after having a one-on-one conversation with Omarosa in which he declared "I'm in love with Jesus, off top."[17]

Sports connections

Because many of Rawsrvnt's songs are known for their high-energy vibe backed by positive and motivational lyrics, his music is often sought-ought by sports organizations to be used in conjunction with their promotions, telecasts, and competitions. Highlights include performances at Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade's birthday brunch,[18] NASCAR driver Michael McDowell (racing driver) selecting "On Fire" for his track introduction,[19][20] the Miami Dolphins using "Game Changer" as the theme for their weekly coaches show, and ESPN licensing "There Go That Man" for their 2017 NBA Finals and 2017 NBA Draft coverage.[21][22]

Personal life

Puyol married Chrissy Alvarez on July 19, 2014.[23][24] They have two daughters.[25][26]

In July 2018, Puyol revealed that, although there were attempts made alongside church mentors and counselors, the couple ultimately could not reconcile their relationship and marital divorce proceedings were underway.[27]

The couple divorced on March 18, 2020.[28]

Discography
Studio albums
  • In Rare Form (2006)
  • Makin' Moves (2007)
  • No Ordinary Love (2011)
  • Love Deluxe (2012)
  • Game Changer (2015)
EPs
  • Breathe (2008)
  • On Fire (2011)
  • Soul Deep (2016, with St. Matthew)
  • Shut It Down (2017)
  • Eddy Puyol is... (2019)
Singles
  • Holiness (2006)
  • Breathe (2006)
  • Bows Up (2007, with Pettidee)
  • Tears 4 Peers (2007)
  • Winter Jam (2008)
  • I Gotta Feeling / Take It All (2010)
  • On Fire (2011)
  • The Almighty (2011, with St. Matthew)
  • Jesus Jam (2012, with KJ-52)
  • Father I Trust Ya (2013, with Sara Delight*)
  • Head Up High (2013, with Lil Raskull)
  • White Christmas (2013)
  • I Gotta Feeling / Take It All (DJ Promote Mix) (2014)
  • Fallin' In Love (2015, with Milliyon)
  • Game Changer (2015, with Lil Raskull)
  • Won't Stop (2015, with St. Matthew)
  • All of the Lights (Spoken Word) (2015)
  • The Star-Spangled Banner (2016)
  • Shut It Down (2017, with PyRexx)
  • On the Line (2017, with Japhia Life)
  • Get Away (2019)
  • Walk With God (2019, with Lil Raskull)
Compilation albums
  • A Decade of Faith (2012)
  • Winners Anthems (2018)

References
  1. Broadcast Music, Inc. "Songwriter/Composer: Eduardo Ignacio Puyol". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  2. Twitter. "Puyol's D.O.B." Twitter. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  3. Joseph, Kerlyn "Nista" (October 10, 2010). "Rawsrvnt: In Raw Form". SOUL Magazine. pp. 38–9. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  4. Rawsrvnt. "Puyol Family". PuyolFamily.com. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  5. Rawsrvnt. "GLC". GLCKIDS.com. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  6. Cummings, Tony (March 31, 2007). "Rawsrvnt: Groundbreaking hip-hop worship from a Florida-based rapper". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  7. Rapzilla (November 11, 2008). "Rawsrvnt lands theme song for Christian Music's largest annual musical tour". Rapzilla. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  8. Rapzilla (March 1, 2011). "Rawsrvnt re-releases No Ordinary Love". Rapzilla. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  9. WPBF (November 22, 2012). "Rapper Sends Music Message". YouTube. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  10. Solis, Steven (November 17, 2011). "Rawsrvnt featured on The Story Tour". Rapzilla. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  11. GMA Dove Awards (April 28, 2012). "The Story Tour at the 43rd Annual Dove Awards". YouTube. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  12. Rawsrvnt.com (July 15, 2016). "Hip-Hop Worship artist Rawsrvnt teams with Jamaican reggae star St. Matthew for Soul Deep hybrid EP". Rawsrvnt.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  13. Jam The Hype (November 8, 2012). "Netherlands couple dances down the wedding aisle to Rawsrvnt's "I Gotta Feeling/Take It All"". Jam The Hype. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  14. WyCkson (October 30, 2012). "Just & Jonn Wedding Entrance Dance". YouTube. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  15. Sketch the Journalist (September 17, 2013). "Chris Tomlin Retains DJ Promote for "Burning Lights" Tour". Wade-O Radio. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  16. Sketch the Journalist (November 23, 2011). "Christian hip-hop star to appear on Omarosa's reality show". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  17. TV One (U.S. TV network) (November 1, 2011). "Rawsrvnt & Omarosa on Donald J. Trump presents The Ultimate Merger". YouTube. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  18. Sketch the Journalist (January 17, 2012). "Houston gospel singer Yolanda Adams and Christian rapper Rawsrvnt perform at Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade's 30th birthday brunch". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  19. Gluck, Jeff (August 26, 2011). "Bristol: NASCAR Drivers pick Theme Songs for 2011 Night Race". SB Nation. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  20. Sketch the Journalist (November 23, 2011). "Christian rapper Rawsrvnt rocks NASCAR". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  21. Rawsrvnt.com (June 1, 2017). "Rawsrvnt's "There Go That Man" featured on ESPN's "First Take" during NBA Finals". Rawsrvnt.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  22. Rawsrvnt.com (June 27, 2017). "ESPN + NBA + Rawsrvnt's "There Go That Man" = A Winning Team". Rawsrvnt.com. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  23. Sketch the Journalist (July 24, 2014). "Rawsrvnt gets married with a ceremony that blends Christianity and hip hop". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  24. Streeter, Leslie (August 4, 2014). "Gardens Christian rapper, TV bachelor finally merges with his match". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  25. Rawsrvnt (April 4, 2015). "Ava Marie Puyol". Instagram. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  26. Rawsrvnt (July 21, 2016). "Olivia Grace Puyol". Instagram. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  27. Sketch the Journalist (July 9, 2018). "New visual for Rawsrvnt's "On the Line" feat. Japhia Life shares serene/street vibe with lyrics that are deeper than they first appear". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  28. Rawsrvnt (March 18, 2020). "Divorced and Co-Parenting". Rawsrvnt.com. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
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