GROUP 1 CREW

Best Duo or Group

Best Duo or Group Runners-up:

2. Point of Grace

3. Shane & Shane

Profile By Andy Argyrakis

The musical melting pot known as Group 1 Crew may be comprised of “Ordinary Dreamers,” but the trio is anything but average either on stage or in their personal lives. The multi-cultural troupe comprised of Manwell Reyes, Blanca Reyes and Pablo Villatoro recently scored a soundtrack slot on “One Tree Hill,” took home a second Dove Award in the “Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year” category and was just named “Best Duo or Group” in CCM’s Readers’ Choice Awards. With all the momentum, the group continues to tear it up on tour, setting new musical trends and turning heads for its forward-thinking fashion statements. Manwell recently chatted about his definition of “true cool,” staying physically fit amidst an exhausting schedule and favorite places to visit on both sides of the Atlantic.

FAN HIGH FIVE

It’s humbling for sure. The fans are why we make music, and the fact that people thought it’s good enough [to give us this award] blows us away and reaffirms [we’re on the right track].

A CASE FOR COOL

“Cool” to me is the epitome of finding yourself and being that to the greatest degree. There’s nothing more important or valuable than understanding who you are in Christ—both your faults and your strengths—and “cool” is just personified in confidence no matter what. It’s a self-realization of who you are as a person and learning to be who you are as a unique individual.

SHOPPING SECRETS

We shop on the road and land at some of the coolest boutiques. Universally we all like H&M, but we’re blessed that our travels can take us to unique stores that no one else may have [in their town]. We have shoes from Hawaii and clothes from Europe. We all like to shop!

TOP TRAVEL CHOICE

We like Amsterdam a lot, and we dream of going to Australia someday. But my favorite city is L.A. for sure. I’m just baffled at the fact human beings created houses you can see on the hill when you’re driving on the highways.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

Right now I’m getting into P90X, which is a killer workout. One of my biggest things right now is trying to bulk up my calorie intake, which is hard because we’re traveling so much. But I eat every two hours to keep my metabolism going; and to stay cut, I hit the gym hard. You have to be thoughtful on the health side of things, and I’ve noticed it’s an area in Christianity that’s so neglected. We preach against sex and drugs, but gluttony or obesity is just as bad.

EARLY INFLUENCES