Always Electrifying- Gumby, aka Pryce (Profile)

Gumby, aka Pryce, was born Donenava Nanthavongsa in Laos in 1977. His family came to the U.S. in October 1982. They were placed in the Minneapolis Housing Projects in Minnesota, where a predominantly African American Community resides. Gumby’s childhood was rough, being one of the first Asian families in the projects. Being a minority, young asian kids banded together and formed gangs to survive in the inner city projects as more and more asian families resettled there. As a juvenile, his life involved drugs and gang activities. He started writing rap songs with his friends at the age of 16, as part of a group called “Lao Felonz”. Gumby’s rap and hip hop influences came from watching MTV with artist like DJ Quick, LL Cool J, NWA, DMX, and 2pac. As an adult, Life was harsh for the refugee gangster when he encountered several run ins with the law. After three years of incarceration, Gumby decided to change his life around and turned to his music. His talent for rapping and writing lyrics evolved during the time of his incarceration. Drawing from his rough childhood and harsh environment, he used music as a motivating factor for a new life out of the fast lane.

He started writing music from his life experiences and took a different approach in life, thus the start of a music career. Gumby released his 1st album titled “Three Headed Elephant”, which sold 3000 copies with his group, “Lao Felonz”. With the power of the internet, “Lao Felonz” toured the cities and towns as fans nationwide began an online download frenzy from Youtube and Myspace. He came out with a solo album titled “Fast Life”, written and produced by Gumby himself. Selling over 5000 copies worldwide, he began using the internet as a promotional outlet for his music, instead of selling out of the trunk of his own car. His popularity became apparent as entertainment promoters began sponsoring him to perform throughout the country. The internet made him a superstar overnight with his music videos. Gumby’s 2nd album launched his career as the most popular Lao Hip Hop Artist worldwide. He then released his 3rd album titled “Time To Pay The Pryce” in the summer of 2007. With the success of this album, promoters booked him for concerts where he performed with popular Lao and Thai Artists: Alexandra Bounxouei, Birdie, Tai Orathai, Ya-Ya-Ying, Katreeya English, Sek Loso, and etc. Gumby’s popularity rose as he was featured in Lao Roots Magazine, Lao Blogs, and other internet websites. Currently working on his 4th album titled “The Pryce Is Rite” in English and “Tum Ma Sot” in Laotian, he started his own Record Label “6 Tusk Records” to enhance his career as an artist. Watch for Gumby as he sets out on a tour in Laos and here in the U.S. this year.