JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The feud between rival gangs in Jacksonville has played out through music. Including rappers mocking each other, and even those killed by gun violence.
A local hip hop artist has watched the violence unfold in his home city, including the recent death of prominent rapper, Foolio.
"I've been seeing what they've been doing you know on social media man and my heart go out...my heart just break[s] man," Preston Miller said.
Miller is inviting young artists into his studio, but they must play by his rules.
"This is not the type of studio where you can come in and you have a gun. You have an AK-47 over here? No, we're not doing that," Preston Miller said.
Miller is telling young artists to leave the gun and pick up a bible instead.
“Try Jesus, like, you know what I mean? Like, I've tried it,” he said.
Miller is founder of Open World Empire, his music brand. Born in Jacksonville, he lost his mom at six years old and says his dad was in and out of prison.
He said he grew up on the streets.
“I got friends that lost their lives on the street, and I was right there with them," Miller said. As a teenager, Miller said he feared his fate and knew he needed to change. “The grace of god that kind of like, you know, got me on the right track."
It led him to create music, centered around faith.
Next month, he’s launching a radio show on local gospel station, WCGL.
“My goal is to, you know, get the creative platform where artists can create gospel artists, inspirational, you know, singers, people that, you know, really want to do some uplifting in the community," he said.
Miller wants young rappers to know his door is open, if they want to turn their life around. “It's just a great place a great space to create and have fun and do some. It's going to be uplifting and be constructive instead of tearing down the community."
Miller says he also hosts speaking events at local churches and schools to help inspire youth.