Pastor Troy
Micah LeVar "Pastor" Troy (born November 18, 1977) is an American rapper and record producer. He is also a member of the hardcore rap group D.S.G.B. (Down South Georgia Boyz). In 2020, his anti-LGBT statements against Lil Nas X generated considerable controversy.[1][2]
Pastor Troy | |
---|---|
Birth name | Micah LeVar Troy |
Also known as | The Pastor PT Cruiser Pastor Dizasta |
Born | November 18, 1977 |
Origin | Atlanta, Georgia United States |
Genres | Hip hop, crunk, hardcore hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Rapper, Producer |
Years active | 1998-Present |
Labels | |
Associated acts |
Early life
Micah LeVar Troy was born on November 18, 1977 in College Park, Georgia. His father, Alfred Troy, is a former drill instructor turned pastor.[3]
Troy graduated from Creekside High School, and attended Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, before deciding to fully pursue his career in rap. His rap name comes from his last name and his father's profession as a pastor, and is also a pun on the name Castor Troy, a character from John Woo's 1997 film Face/Off, played by Nicolas Cage and John Travolta. His fourth album is titled Face Off in reference to the movie.
Career
He released his first album, We Ready (I Declare War), in 1999. Ludacris featured Troy on his album Back for the First Time in the song "Get Off Me."[4] In addition, Pastor Troy is the front man of the rap group D.S.G.B. (Down South Georgia Boyz). DSGB originated in Augusta, Georgia.[5] He was also featured on the collaborative album Kings of Crunk by Lil Jon in the song "Throw it Up".[6] Troy and then friend Lil' Jon reached the top of the charts in the south with songs such as "Vice Versa" and "Throw it Up". Since being in the music industry, Pastor Troy has been in public conflict with Master P,[3] Miracle, Hitman Sammy Sam, Lil Scrappy and The BME Click, and Sno, with whom he has since come to terms. In 2002, Troy's album Universal Soldier became popular in the South, especially with the song "Are We Cuttin'" featuring Ms. Jade, which was also featured on the soundtrack for the action film xXx that year.[7] The album debuted at #13 on the Billboard 200.[8] In 2003, Troy appeared on Young Jeezy's 2003 album Come Shop wit' Me on the track titled "GA".[9]
Troy later released one of his more commercial albums, By Any Means Necessary, in 2004. This album included the hit "Ridin' Big". Following this release, Pastor Troy was released from his Universal contract because of creativity disputes.[3] He then released Face Off, Part II, which addressed some issues with Lil Scrappy and BME, adding new songs, and even remade some of his hits. In 2005, he appeared with Killer Mike on Chamillionaire's track "Southern Takeover" off of The Sound of Revenge
Pastor Troy released three albums in 2006, starting with Stay Tru, then followed by By Choice Or By Force and Atlanta 2 Memphis, which is a collaboration album with Memphis rapper Criminal Manne. Stay Tru debuted at the Billboard 200 at #150, selling 6,000 copies its first week.[10] Currently, Pastor Troy is signed with two record labels. SMC (Stay Tru, Tool Muziq) and Money and Power Records (Face Off Part 2, Atlanta 2 Memphis).[11]
Pastor Troy released his 16th solo album, Ready For War, in June 2009, and released seven more studio albums up to 2011. On June 19, 2012 he released his latest CD entitled The Last OutLaw, also he starred in the film We Was Homeboyz which was released May 10, 2012.
On July 31, 2013, he released another album entitled The Streets Need You. Troy also made a video clip of the intro of his latest mixtape "Crown Royal Legend" on YouTube. On December 30, 2013, Troy released a tribute song following the death of upcoming rapper Doe B titled "Yall ain't Do Him Right". Crown Royal Part 4 was released on January 21, 2014.
Pastor Troy released his album Welcome to the Rap Game on July 1, 2014 and on June 19, 2015 released his new mixtape, the sixth edition of his Crown Royal mixtape series subtitled "The Show | The Afterparty | The Funeral" containing 22 tracks of mostly new material. On June 27, 2015 Pastor Troy unleashed WAR (We Are Ready) in Atlanta his most recent album release inclusive of features by Paul Wall and Bun B. Available on his self-titled app, Troy revisits his gritty "We Ready" and controversial "Vica Versa" true-to-life lyrics. Coinciding with the "WAR in Atlanta" release, Pastor Troy, in partnership with Invicta Creative, released a documentary consisting of Troy's perspective of the music industry and how many of his hits came to be. Includes stories about Lil Jon, Master P and his experience in the industry. The documentary was directed by Will Tolbert. Produced by Will Tolbert, Micah Troy, Desiree Tolbert, Matt Hazel and Al Troy.
Early in 2017, Pastor Troy announced his retirement and released his last album "O.G.P.T" on July 28, 2017. He also announced he was in the process of completing his second movie titled "Down 2 Come Up". The film was written, directed and also co-stars Pastor Troy, who enlisted his long time, best friend and fellow rapper the late Carlos "ShawtyLo" Walker to co-star alongside him. The movie was filmed in 2016 and was Shawty Lo's last project before he died in a car accident on September 21, 2016. It is slated to release March 17, 2020. It also appears that Pastor Troy's retirement was short lived. He has since released two albums, "Clubber Lang" and "Enemy of the State". The first single off Clubber Lang entitled "Heavyweight Champ" features a video which was filmed at the Mercedes/Benz stadium and was directed with a Creed theme.[12] Troy was also featured on "Hoe Check II", a tribute song to the late The Last Mr. Bigg; in which he frequently collaborated with. He appeared on the song along with Project Pat, King Killumbia & Mr. Flip. It was released on the anniversary of the death of Mr. Bigg and premiered on BET and exclusively on DSGB Radio.
Troy has plans for another album, I Said What I Said in 2020. The album release was announced after a viral video was made commenting on Lil Nas X 2020 Grammy win and correlation to his lifestyle in relation to his achievements.
Awards
December 17, 2015 Pastor Troy was the recipient of the Independent Icon Award sponsored by That Rabbit, an independent music and video distribution company.
On April 5, 2016, Pastor Troy received the Legends of ATL Award from BMI for his contributions to music in Atlanta.[13]
Controversy
In January 2020, Pastor Troy made homophobic comments on the outfit Lil Nas X wore during the Grammy Awards.[2][14][15] In a subsequent interview, Pastor Troy tried to insist he is not homophobic, but again made several homophobic comments.[16][17]
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [18] |
R&B [18] |
Rap [18] |
Ind [19] | ||
We Ready (I Declare War) |
|
— | — | — | — |
I Am D.S.G.B. |
|
— | — | — | — |
Pastor Troy for President |
|
— | — | — | — |
Face Off |
|
83 | 13 | — | — |
Hell 2 Pay |
|
— | — | — | — |
Universal Soldier |
|
13 | 2 | — | — |
By Any Means Necessary |
|
30 | 7 | — | — |
Face Off, Part II |
|
112 | — | — | — |
Stay Tru |
|
150 | 21 | 12 | 15 |
By Choice or by Force |
|
130 | — | — | — |
Tool Muziq |
|
91 | 11 | 4 | 9 |
Attitude Adjuster |
|
116 | 15 | 4 | 14 |
A.T.L. (A-Town Legend) |
|
— | — | — | — |
TROY |
|
— | — | — | — |
Feel Me or Kill Me |
|
121 | — | — | — |
Ready for War |
|
— | — | — | — |
Love Me, Hate Me |
|
— | — | — | — |
G.I. Troy – Strictly 4 My Soldiers |
|
— | — | — | — |
Zero Tolerence |
|
— | — | — | — |
Attitude Adjuster 2 |
|
— | — | — | — |
King of All Kings |
|
— | — | — | — |
Still Troy |
|
— | — | — | — |
H.N.I.C. |
|
— | — | — | — |
The Last Outlaw |
|
— | — | — | — |
The Streets Need You |
|
— | — | — | — |
Welcome To The Rap Game |
|
— | — | — | — |
WAR in Atlanta |
|
— | — | — | — |
O.G.P.T |
|
— | — | — | — |
Clubber Lang |
|
— | — | — | — |
Enemy of the State |
|
— | — | — | — |
I Said What I Said |
|
— | — | — | — |
Collaborations
With D.S.G.B.
Year | Title | Chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
US | US R&B | |||
2001 | The Last Supper | — | — | |
2003 | Til Death Do Us Part | — | 42 |
Other collaborations
Year | Title | Chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
US | US R&B | |||
2000 | Book I (with The Congregation) | — | — | |
2006 | Atlanta 2 Memphis (with Criminal Manne) | — | 88 | |
2008 | A.T.L. 2 (A-Town Legends 2) (with The Lumberjacks) | — | — |
Mixtapes, compilations and remix albums
Year | Album |
---|---|
2001 | A Thin Line Between The Playaz And The Hataz |
2002 | Revelations |
2004 | I Am American (Compilation) (presented by Lil Jon & Pastor Troy) |
2005 | Hood Hustlin': The Mix Tape, Vol. 1 (with Nino of P.K.O.) |
Hood Hustlin': The Mix Tape, Vol. 2 (Slowed & Chopped) (with Nino of P.K.O.) | |
2006 | Down South Hood Hustlin (with Nino of P.K.O.) |
2009 | Still No Play In Georgia (Best Of) (Mixtape) |
Ready for War (The P.T. Mixes) | |
2010 | Crown Royal (Mixtape) |
The Be | |
2011 | Crown Royal 2 (Mixtape) |
2013 | Crown Royal Legend Mixtape |
2014 | Crown Royal 4 Mixtape |
Crown Royal 5 (Mixtape) | |
2015 | Crown Royal 6 Mixtape |
Singles
Year | Song | U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | "No Mo Play in G.A." | — | — | We Ready (I Declare War) |
2001 | "This tha City" | — | — | Face Off |
"Vice Versa" (featuring Peter the Disciple) |
— | 13 | ||
2002 | "Are We Cuttin'" (featuring Ms. Jade) |
96 | 47 | Universal Soldier |
2003 | "You Can't Pimp Me" (featuring Peter the Disciple) |
— | — | |
2004 | "Ridin' Big" | — | 91 | By Any Means Necessary |
2006 | "Pop a Few Bottles" (featuring Rasheeda) |
— | — | By Choice or by Force |
2007 | "Saddam" | — | — | Tool Muziq |
2008 | "Heaven Is Below" | — | — | A.T.L. (A-Town Legend) |
2009 | "I Want War" | — | — | Feel Me or Kill Me |
"Comin Wit Me" | — | — | Ready for War | |
2011 | "Dirty Atlanta" (featuring Ralph) |
— | — | Still Troy |
"Ain't Gangsta No Moe" | — | — |
Collaboration singles
Year | Song | U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. R&B | Album |
---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | "D.S.G.B." (with D.S.G.B.; Down South Georgia Boyz) |
— | — | Til Death Do Us Part |
2014 | "We Represent Dat" (with Lil Jazz) |
— | — | Non-album single |
2016 | "Money Up" (with King Killumbia & Lil Ru) |
— | — | Welcome to Killumbia |
2018 | "Hoe Check II prod by King Killumbia & D Gutta" (with King Killumbia, Project Pat, The Last Mr. Bigg, Mr. Flip & Natalac; Remix with Lil Brod) |
— | — | King Killumbia |
2018 | "Roll Down" (with Dusty Roadz & King Killumbia) |
— | — | Kranked Up |
2018 | "IDGAF prod by Witeout" (with King Killumbia, Lil Wyte & Kaotik) |
— | — | Non-album single |
Production credits
Pastor Troy
- Book I (by Pastor Troy & The Congregation):
"Havin' A Bad Day"
"This Tha City"
"My Niggaz Is The Grind"
"Move To Mars"
"Throw Your Flags Up"
"No Mo Play In GA"
"Eternal Yard Dash" with Big Toombs
"Oh Father"
"Universal Soldier"
"Bless America"
"WWW (Who, Want, War)"
"Where Them Niggaz At"
"Respect Game"
"I'm Down"
D.S.G.B.
"We Dem Georgia Boyz"
"My Folks"
"Brang Ya Army"
"Above The Law II"
"Southside"
"Repent"
"I'm Outside Ho"
"Sittin' On Thangs" with Taj Mahal
References
- Twitter slams Pastor Troy for homophobic comments about Lil Nas X revolt.tv, Tamantha Gunn, 29 January 2020
- Lil Nas X responds to homophobic rant from rapper Pastor Troy pagesix.com, Jessica Bennett, 20 January 2020
- Birchmeier, Jason. "Pastor Troy Biography". allmusic. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
- Birchmeier, Jason. "Back for the First Time" - Overview. allmusic: 2000.
- Birhchmeier, Jason. DSGB biography at allmusic
- Henderson, Alex. "Kings of Crunk" - Overview. allmusic: 2002.
- Reid, Shaheem. Pastor Troy Reps For Georgia. MTV News: Sept. 23, 2002.
- D'Angelo, Joe. Elvis' #1s LP To Hit #1. MTV News: Oct. 2, 2002.
- "Come Shop Wit' Me" - allmusic
- Harris, Chris. T.I., Pink, Shakira Can't Shake Rascal Flatts From Billboard #1. MTV News: Apr. 26, 2006.
- Pastor Troy on MySpace
- Killumbia studio mixes on new Pastor Troy - Clubber Lang album
- reports, Atlanta Daily World staff (2016-04-08). "Pastor Troy presented 'ATL Legend Award' at BMI Urban Showcase". Atlanta Daily World. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
- Lil Nas X Responds to Pastor Troy's Homophobic Post papermag, Sandra Song, 29 January 2020
- Lil Nas X responds with a shrug to Pastor Troy’s homophobic comments ajc.com, Melissa Ruggieri, 30 January 2020
- Pastor Troy Talks Lil Nas X, Says He Isn't Homophobic But Being Gay Isn't Right hotnewhiphop.com Erika Maria, 31 January 2020
- Pastor Troy Says He's Not Homophobic Because He's Taken Photos With LGBTQ Fans complex.com, Joshua Espinoza, 1 February 2020
- "Big L - Charts & Awards - Billboard Albums." Allmusic.com. Rovi Corporation. n.d. Web. 27 October 2011. <http://allmusic.com/artist/big-l-p144340/charts-awards>.
- "allmusic (((Insane Clown Posse - Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums)))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
- https://www.amazon.com/Ready-Declare-Pastor-Troy-1999-03-16/dp/B014I62D24
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfNJUVu7RGg&list=OLAK5uy_kH2K_-6E_UqlbNxCvYJYb9YaHJSGqOwbo&index=1
- "HOE CHECK II (Mr. Flip, Natalac, Project Pat, King Killumbia, Lil Brod, Pastor Troy & Mr. Bigg)".
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC1DcllvIYI