12th Tribe

The California duo of Dave Portillo and Eddie Sierra began rapping in 1985 under the name of Deity, later changing it to 12th Tribe. Influenced by soul and heavy metal, they liked the rap of Kool Moe Dee, Whodini, and the Fat Boys. They took their name from the 12th tribe of Israel -- the Benjamites, mighty warriors -- and released an album in 1991 for Frontline. They portrayed a tougher image than most Christian rap artists and had a comparatively hard street rap sound. ~ Bil Carpenter