User talk:Gifted The Apostle

''On August 11th, 1987. A doctor once said, "Ms. Colon, if you give birth to this child, he will be born deformed. He will be born physically disfigured, suffer severe brain trauma, or conceived as a stillborn baby. He will not have all of his fingers, toes, and the level of his intelligence will be of that of a vegetable. Then came along into the scene was her sister in law. A dedicated women of GOD. As she walked pass Ms. Colon, The Lord spoke to her and urged her to pray over her stomach before she had given birth. Shortly, the stomach of Ms. Colon began to rumble, and shake dramatically. As the doctor continuously recommended Ms. Colon to abort the baby. She refused to abort the baby and continued on with the process of her giving birth. Thus, a beautiful, healthy-eight pound baby was born to who you see now. Gifted is a living testimony to the world that the power of prayer through Jesus Christ was, is, and will forever remain faithful as promised in the Words of Our Heavenly Father.''

Born on August 11, 1987; Green Point - Brooklyn, New York. Francisco Morales Jr, aka, GIFTED was destined to fulfill a legacy of athleticism which spawned from his very own father. His Father, Francisco Morales Sr., was one of the greatest amateur semi-pro baseball players to ever grace the baseball field in all of New York City. His fathers greatest passion was to install the love and talent that he once had as a baseball player into his son. Born and trained with the knowledge and understanding of the game of baseball since a child. From learning the science of hitting, to developing the skills at a young age of six years old. He was soon considered to have major league ability at the age of thirteen years old. His dream was to continue his advancement in baseball and eventually become signed to a major league baseball contract at an age of seventeen years old. A dream which was shortly shattered due to an life altering injury which later lead to his own path of destruction.

After almost being consumed in a fire which occurred at the home of the Morales residents in Brooklyn, New York. GOD himself showed great favor as in allowing he and his family to prosper in abundant life. When the house was burned down to its foundation. His parents could not afford the costly living that was needed in order to survive in the City of New York; so they gathered up their belongings and settled out in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Where later he and his elder sister would spawn children of their own. Growing up in a infamously-known, crime related family. He was quickly robbed of his innocence at a short age of five years old. Traveling back and forth with his father and occasionally both parents. From Allentown, Pennsylvania to Brooklyn, New York. Every weekend for the first 15 years of his life, he would visit his grandfather in prison. His grandfather, Francisco Morales Sr., had a 25 year life sentenced term at Sing Sing, Prison. Influenced by the respect demanded when people were amongst his Grandfathers presence, He began to hunger in following his grandfathers foot-steps, thirsting for the same power that his grandfather once had on the streets. His Grandfather, owning a numerous amount of properties. From real estate, to night clubs, down to a variety of other exquisite automobiles. All confiscated as evidence for the trials of his conviction. The fast life of drugs, sex, and money was soon cut short due to a conspiracy charge; in results to his partner sharing valuable information to the federal investigation unit. Throughout the history of his family. Many had fallen victim to drugs and violence. From an early age, Gifted was taught the "Do's, and Dont's" of the drug game. He was taught how to hustle, where to hustle, and who to hustle. He soon began to develop a mentality which limited his mindset onto becoming a success in eyes of many who believed in his talents. But for some unknown reason, their was another great passion that was burning inside of Gifted that needed to give birth and was shortly delivered. From an early age of three years old, it was apparent that music would also take great influence in the life of Gospel Lyricist, Francisco Morales. Constantly imitating and inspired by entertainers such as Michael Jackson, Prince, and Rakim. He was easily driven in pursuing a career in the music industry. Balancing both music and sports. He would practice baseball during the day, and write rhymes during the night. Growing up in a perverse environment. Around his elder cousins who were, at the time, running the streets. He began to take notice of their lifestyles and shortly started to incorporate the trials and tribulations that they were enduring at the time within his lyrics. At the early age of eight years old, his mother would find his rhymes and tape cassettes underneath the living room couch. Appalled by the content within his lyrics and the music that he would listen to, she began to tear through the notebook pages of his lyrics and break apart the many tape cassettes which he would regularly listen too. By the age of ten years old, Gifted had already began to battle the local rappers throughout the neighborhood he was brought up in. Although his adversaries were far much older than him, He still remained victorious in all of his accounts that occurred on the microphone. Having not once, lost a battle. His confidence shortly converted into arrogance. By age twelve, Gifted had already been introduced to a number of record executive's who were interested in his talents. Developing his Gift on the streets, at the corner store bodega's, is where Gifted began to manifest his lyrical abilities. At thirteen, he began to grow as an artist under an independent label out of Allentown,Pennsylvania called "Executive Branch". Executive Branch, consisted of many members. Local Allentown Hip-Hop Artists Joey Boca, Ses, Du-Wop, and Gifted, who at the time, went by the name of "Naturally Gifted". Constantly in the studio, gathering all the advice given as a child from the many local talented artists such as, Teck(From Rap Group : Moet -n- Tek), Joey Boca, and many more. He would soon develop a microphone cadence that would later define him as one of the best, or if not, the best lyricist to come out of Allentown, Pennsylvania. While still playing sports, he managed to balance the time between both professions. But it was not until the day of his life altering injury, where Gifted would soon decide to devote his time entirely to music. By the age of fourteen, he stopped attending high school to pursue a career in the music industry. Having failed the 9th grade, three years in a row. Throughout the three years of rarely attending High School. Gifted substituted the time that was told to be spent in the class room, into selling drugs on the streets. By the age of fifteen, he was than introduced to Linkin Parks Manager, Stefano Diehibreeti. A conversation which took place on the phone that would have benefited Gifteds' career as an artist. But Gifted, being young and nieve at the time, was more concerned with making money on the streets, getting the "fast-buck". Rather than following up with the instructions given by the record companies demo policy, he put music to the side and continued to pursue the lifestyle of a hustler. Having been interviewed and featured on a numerous amount of radio stations across the United States. Gifted was than contacted by another label, prior to his previous industry connection. Chuck Wilson, CEO of Babygrande Records, under the distribution of Koch Entertainment; proposed a record deal to Gifted, which amounted to the sum of $50,000. A four to five year term agreement under Babygrande Records. Within the agreement, it was told that four albums per year were to be completed. A contract that Gifted instantly denied due to the amount of work said to be given by the artist. At sixteen years of age, Gifted decided to give the music thing a break. Taking the whole year off from recording music. Gifted stopped selling drugs and started to work at a factory warehouse which acquired most of his time. At the warehouse is where he met an individual from Philadelphia who overheard Gifted rhyming amongst himself and was amazed by his lyrical ability. The exact words of this gentlemen was, "Man, why you working at this dump! If I had the amount of talent that you had I'd be famous by now!". A comment which made Gifted chuckle, but nonetheless, was nothing new to the ears of the talented artist. He was than invited to a local radio station in Allentown, Pa called "Krazy House Entertainment". Host of the radio show, James "Uncle Meatball", quickly grew fond of the talent that Gifted displayed on a live radio freestyle session featuring G.Q, and Sinatra (50 cent's old on stage alliance). Shortly after the session, James pulled Gifted off to the side and began to talk in private with the emerging artist. Later that month, a meeting was schedule by james and Def Jam Records for Gifted to sign a contract with an up and coming Rap Group, called "Road Kill". Having always been a solo artist, Gifted was quickly turned off by the proposal and insisted on signing as a solo artist but in disagreement stood the company so both parted ways and continued on pressing forward with their careers.

At the age of seventeen, after he had failed the 9th grade three times, Gifted decided to transfer to a different high school. Transferring himself as a student from William Allen High School, to attending Louis E. Dieruff High School. At his new high school is where he approached his guidance counselor Mrs. Cosme and insisted on dropping out of school. Concerned with Gifted's future, she began to propose a method which would gradually "skip" Gifted up two years prior to his failure to pass the first three years of high school. Ultimately, leaving his only one year behind his graduate class. She began to explain to Gifted that if he would past the first semester with at least an 2.0 G.P.A(Grade Point Average), than she would immediately fufill what she had promised him. Listening to her advice, Gifted passed his first semester with flying colors and shortly after he fulfilled his part of the bargain, he was than reinstated as a junior in High school. Still short of his class credits, Gifted was forced to take part in a program called "Co-Op". A program which allowed students to gain extra credits by going to school for the first half of the day and working for the second half. After fulfilling these duties for the year, Gifted was on track on graduating the next year to come. Starting the next year of High School. Gifted fell back into the old ways which he had left a long ago for quite some time. Reuniting with some of his past associates that enticed him to sell drugs once more, he shortly began to "hustle" again throughout the hallways and classrooms of the school which he attended. Having only 2 months left until graduation. Gifted started to grow a reputation for selling heroin, cocaine, extacy, and marijuana. Him and his partner in drug association, decided to drive out to Phoenix, Arizona due to the amount of attention that was drawn to them by the state police and local law enforcement. In return, Gifted was forced to drop out of High School being that he was the only one of of the crew who was still a student. While living in Phoenix, Arizona in the year of 2006. Gifted started to read upon the scriptures of The Holy Bible. Intrigued by the Psalms Of David; He began to Minister to a variety of people who were living in sin amongst himself, and even to those who he was in sin with as well. While living in the city of Glendale in Arizona. Gifted was working as a television promoter/model for a show on "T.L.C" called "Over Hauling". He had the opportunity of traveling and working in places such as : San Diego, Mexico, Texas, California, and a variety of other states and cities on the west coast. After the year was over. He decided to move back to the state of Pennsylvania. Falling back into the "old" lifestyle which he initially moved to Phoenix, Arizona to get away from; Gifted fell into a deep stage of depression. In the midst of all the obstacles that he was facing. A Child was born. A baby boy, Francisco Morales IIII, was conceived on March 24th, 2007. Unemployed but still hustling for the support of his diapers and food. Filling out a numerous amount of applications but never no call backs from the listing of companies that were supposedly hiring. Gifted traveled to Detroit, Michigan for two weeks where he began to help construct a Jewelery store for the company of the "Four wins casino". When the job was completed. He reported back to the state of Pennsylvania where He later received in the mail, a court ordered issue child support letter. Still looking for a job, but no luck in finding one. Gifted developed an even more lustful desire for money. Still struggling, battling a drug addiction in the year of 2007. Gifted moved into the home of his aunt, Gloria Rivera. Gloria Rivera, along side with her daughter, Estelle Rivera. Invited Gifted into their fellowship. For the first time in his life, Gifted wanted to develop a relationship with the Lord. Gloria and Estelle, both knowing the struggles that Gifted were going through at the time, began to minister to him. Planting the seed of faith, they would later invite Gifted to start attending Church with them at "3RD DAY WORSHIP CENTER". 3rd Day Worship Center, embraced Gifted with love and interest. Displaying the love, compassion, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Gifted began to grow fond of the pastoral leadership of Both, Pastor Charles and Pastor Reina. While attending a service on Sunday, in the midst of Pastor Charles continuing a lecture; he instantly stopped ministering. He began to point in the direction where Gifted was seated and delivered a word to him. QUOTE "You!!!! I don't know what Gift is it that you have.. But mark my words young man, GOD is going to use you and your Giftings to reach out to a lost generation that I could never get in touch with!" - Pastor Charles. In deep confusion, Gifted pondered why and how could God ever use him. Knowing himself, of all the sins that he alone committed. He lacked in faith, doubting that GOD would never use him and his talents. Attending the church for the next three to four months. Gifted would later fall back into his old sinful nature. Only this time, he would fall back into the world having knowledge but lacking the understanding on the Word of God. Within the month of December in 2007. He was set up and robbed at gun-point by 3 anonymous men over drugs. Gifted was sliced across the neck by a blade; that if he hadn't had move so quickly, it would of easily cut the jugular vein in his neck open. In that same month, He got into an almost fatal car accident. His truck/S.U.V was completely totaled in a car accident but amazingly Gifted walked out of the car accident with no scratches nor broken bones. A life threatening altercation which spawned the beginning of Gifted's "faith" in Christ Jesus. He had been in numerous life threatening situations before in his past years. Including car accidents and many other street altercations. But it was not until the day that he had laid my eyes upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, where all these scenarios which had occurred in his life would start to make sense to him. After the many murders and unsolved homicides which involved his intermediate circle. Seeing his close friends shot to death, and even some murdered for issues that they had no part in taking in; only through association with the verdicts. Gifted decided that he no longer wanted to be apart of the demonic lifestyle which he endured in for many years. He can recall when he was on the streets selling drugs, conforming with the wicked, still preaching how great GOD is to the kids on the block. At a certain time every night before the day had ended, at 9:00 pm. Gifted would transform into this "hood evangelist" as if he alone was righteous himself. Amazingly, the people on the streets would receive the Gospel from Gifted. But occasionally, he did get criticized and ridiculed by some of my fellow friends in the world due to the fact that h was still living in sin amongst them. Even in short periods of times in his life he would go week's straight without smoking, drinking, or fornicating. Telling people that GOD had changed his life but failed to live up to that standard that he alone held himself accountable too. After numerous times of being called a hypocrite, phony, and a variety of other plundering comments directed at Gifted; He stopped attending the church due to the amount of conviction he had dwelling inside of him. Hovering over himself, like a cloud, forever raining; The Light of GOD slowly seeped into my life little by little.

In 2008, Gifted moved back to Brooklyn, New York for the year to pursue a career in the secular music industry. In the midst of all these trials and tribulations that were occurring in his life. Gifted still managed to maintain a clear conscious and stood performing on stage at the local club spots throughout Allentown and Philadelphia. Living the so called "thug life". He tried his best not to let the problems that he was involved in on the streets effect his career as a Hip-Hop artist in the secular music world. (QUOTE "I must admit, many times I failed to maintain a mindset which allowed me to pursue my goals and desires to fulfill my ambitions but I still kept on pressing forward regardless of my past transgressions on the streets. As Gifted continued on the path of becoming a famous "rap star".) He began working with some big time producers and A&R's that were involved with some Major record companies In the secular music industry(No names for legal purposes). Working on a Multi-million dollar record deal with an (undisclosed) Major Record Company. He began to feel as if something was going wrong with his life. He had worked so hard to get to this point in his music career but still felt as if something was hindering himself from progressing to the next level onto becoming a successor in the music world. While living in Brooklyn, East New York. Gifted was lead to a barber shop, located on ridge wood and crescent. At that point, He was then was introduced to a barber who goes by the name of Leo. Leo, also, a minister of the Gospel would discuss his testimony with Gifted. Humbling himself. He began to give testimony to Gifted upon the trials and tribulations that he went through as an adult before he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Sharing similar views on life growing up in the streets. Gifted took quite an interest on hearing what Leo had to say. After Leo explained to me how Christ saved his life, and the change that he went through, from being a thug to a man of GOD. Gifted was inspired to finally change his life. Taking the advice of Leo. Gifted decided to give the Life of a christian a shot. Between the time of him accepting the Lord Jesus Christ into his heart and Life. Gifted was still debating whether he should sign the contract which had been proposed to me prior to him getting saved. There was an interview that had been scheduled to take place on a local Hip-Hop television show in Brooklyn, New York called "B-CAT". An interview which he later declined to appear on. Due to the amount of conviction that had taken place in his heart; he avoided attending the meeting where the contract was to be signed at. On the night of February 24th, 2008. Gifted invited the Lord Jesus Christ into his heart, and prayed to GOD that if he would release him from all of his addictions that he would surely serve Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Gifted was experiencing an overdose on the substance known as cocaine when Christ saved him. Dying on the very bed that he had rested his body on. A spiritual outer-body experience had taken place. As he was witnessing his death in the spirit; The voice of an angel of the Lord had been revealed to him. Gifted could recall the angel saying, "This is your last chance, Only if you surrender your life to God. He will allow you to live once more". As the memories that he and his son shared ran through his mind. Gifted began to wake, the first thing that he had reached for was his pack of cigarettes. When He had picked them up from the counter. He had noticed that He no longer craved to smoke a cigarette. Surprised with what he had just experienced. He ran to the barbershop where his barber Leo, had worked. As He approached Leo and explained to him what He had just experienced. Leo walked with Gifted to the Church. On that night, Gifted had asked God that if he delivered him from each and every addiction that he had. Surely, he would surrender his life and accept Jesus Christ as His Lord and savior. The very next morning, He had woken from his sleep feeling like a new creation. No longer was He held captive to the addictions in which he once had. Having been fully delivered from his addictions. It has been almost 2 years now that Gifted has not done any drug or thing of my past nature. From that day on, He never looked back and made a complete change in his life. Once, He was known as The “Street Dweller”, today, He is called a Christian.

Visit GIFTED's webpage at :

www.giftedmc.com

www.myspace.com/giftedemcee