"Knife" Sotelo

Sotelo at his 2017 photo shoot on Whittier Boulevard in East L.A.

Sotelo was born in East Los Angeles, California to Valentino Sotelo, a security guard who owned several gun dealerships, and Betty Sotelo, a dietary supervisor. Before dropping out of Garfield High School his parents supported his musical interests, as he tried a number of instruments; his favorites were the guitar and keyboards. As a teenager, Sotelo frequently ran into trouble with the law. He is a member of the "Juarez Maravilla" street gang in the Eastside of Los Angeles. Sotelo released several pre-gangsta demos with his band on Los Angeles-based punk label Epitaph Records. He made his professional debut as a rap artist in 2005 as a tribute to his rival Kid Frost and although he is known as a Chicano rapper, he is of Filipino and Spaniard descent.

In 2006, Sotelo was ordained into the Universal Life Church, and subsequently helped set up the first Satanic branch of the church called The Satanic Chapel. Aside from being a former member of several organizations including Anton Szandor LaVey's Church of Satan, the Typhonian Ordo Templi Orientis, Order of Nine Angles and The Satanic Temple, Sotelo would earn the title Ambassador of the Sinagogue of Satan by the founder Michael Shane Margolin and acts as a liaison to the Philippines and all Spanish-speaking countries, a title which he would occasionally use in interviews with print media and his tours. That same year Sotelo was picked up by an independent record label called A Dark Philosophy Records, which held Finnish metal band Azazel (fi) at one time, and soon released So Satan and followed up the album three years later with Morals & Dogma. Though ADP Records did not push the album, it gained infamy when radio stations KPCC-FM (89.3) of Pasadena, California was fined $23,700 by the FCC for playing Sotelo's rendition of MC5's Kick Out the Jams and a similar incident five years later when WEUS 810 AM (The Big 810 AM) of Orlando, Florida played Sotelo's version of "We're All In The Same Gang" for it's 24th anniversary.

In 2011, he was featured on two songs off of Ghetto 187's debut album "Return Of the G-Funk Era" which featured appearances from Bloods & Crips, Mr. Chuko and O.Y.G Redrum 781 from the Damu Ridas. That year he also released his first book The Condensed Satanic Bible, which explain the views of his satanist beliefs. During his career, Sotelo has collaborated with fellow Chicano rappers like X-Raided's Mr. Lil Man, Aztlan Underground, and mainstream artists such as WC, Rittz and Honey Cocaine.

Sotelo was the subject of numerous articles in news media throughout the world, including popular magazines such as The San Francisco Examiner, Music Connection, and Teen Ink, and men's magazines. Novelist Kenneth Grant described Sotelo as "A Satanic Buddhist", with comedian and radio personality Ed Tyll describing him as "A business man...his charitable nature benefited such organizations as Music For Hope and United Colors, some of those donations lived through his anonymity, others took on a life of their own."

However, his fame had been shortly sidetracked after multiple charges with the law, most notably in 2013 when sheriffs searched his home with possession of illegal firearms and marijuana. After being released from confinement, Sotelo worked hard to get his life back on track by continuing to create and write music about his experiences with crime and the law.

In 2014, he signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Group and soon released his debut album "Me Against The World" which featured collaborations with artists such as Bloods & Crips and Dresta. His single, "I Wish You Would" gained rotation on radio stations throughout the United States. Edward Tyll sponsored Sotelo's version of "We're All In The Same Gang" on WEUS 810 AM (The Big 810 AM) and the Star Com Radio Network.

In 2015 he released his sophomore album "Magick Without Words" which featured appearances from Davina and Av LMKR. The album's single "Green Tea" wasn't promoted and only charted at No. 87 on the indie charts. The album at this point had sold just under 2 million copies. That same year Sotelo composed Liber Cultris, a gospel in which he expounds upon various religious texts of cultures past, including Jesus Christ, Buddha, and Lucifer. Sotelo authored it for his own satisfaction, supporting the Catholic faith as he saw it. Larry Wessel states, "He did not produce his small book to shock or offend a drowsy world; he composed it for himself, for his devotion, for his assurance."

In 2016, He released his third studio album "The Much Requested Letter" with "Playa" as its lead single. This was his first mainstream album available for download from iTunes and had a few guest features like Bizzy Bone and Chris Rivers. That same year he released his book Satanic Combat Sciences.

In 2017 he signed a deal with Sugo Music Group. He is currently working on his fourth album "The Gangster & The Priest".

Currently, "Knife" Sotelo also promotes and sponsors live Satanic events, shows and concerts. He also hosts a weekly radio show in Los Angeles.

Modeling

Sotelo first began modeling in 2010, making his foray into the world of street fashion working in the street-wear and lowrider automotive scene as a print and spokesmodel for several companies, magazines and race events. His first mainstream magazine shoot was with Alwayz Therro Magazine in the US.

Fighting and martial arts

Sotelo took an interest in martial arts when he was in elementary school, he took a few lessons in Taekwondo and held the rank of Junior Kyū, Sotelo also had a brief stint in professional mixed martial arts with the International Fight League and was scheduled to fight against Ryan McGivern on April 29, 2006, at the IFL: Legends Championship in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, Sotelo opted out of the fight and was replaced by Amir Rahnavardi since he did not appreciate the match getting changed from an MMA fight to an exhibition match with stipulations, and because he felt that an exhibition match where both fighters are declared winners was "meaningless," disenfranchised with the IFL he left and began training in Arnis under master Jaime "Jim" Sotelo ("Knife" Sotelo's associate, no relation), the head instructor of the Sotelo Arnis Self-Defense Club which is affiliated with Lapunti Arnis de Abanico (LAPUNTI). He would later go on and attain his sixth-degree black belt in Arnis, orange belt in Krav Maga and he would also teach Jeet Kune Do to a small group of students. With his knowledge of many different styles and combat sports that include Boxing, Wrestling, MMA, Muay Thai, Chun Kuk Do, & Kata, Sotelo collected applications he deemed practical, modified them with his own philosophies and created his own blend of combat science. On June 2017 Sotelo took the position of Grade 2 Representative, holding control over the World International Martial Arts Association and Organization (WIMAAO) operations for Los Angeles, California.

Art

Sotelo's work as a photographer, graphic artist, musician/composer and writer are heavily influenced by the mystical and magical traditions he has lived and edified. Stylistically, he gravitated at a blooming age to artists and mentors whose art was additionally imbued by a non-traditional vision, Sotelo was one of the eleven member-artists of the "Unpop Art Movement" created by Shaun Partridge, Brian M. Clark, and Boyd Rice in 2004. Rice who is also a musician, encouraged Sotelo to pursue his art. Unpop disbanded as an "art movement" in 2010. Sotelo now calls his art Celebritarian, an art movement started by his mentor Marilyn Manson. He states Celebritarianism would be, ironically, a satire of today's civilization; It would be about dying when everyone's watching; doing anything for fame. Sotelo revealed an art installation in 2016 entitled #RedSandProject, a guerilla art exhibition showcased at the East L.A. Art Walk which the artist collaborated on with Molly Gochman. Sotelo has also become ardently involved in the Inside Out Project, a global participatory art project aimed at conveying a sense of hope and pride.

Other ventures

Sotelo launched "Ginger & Mary", his own brand of THC-rich infused ginger beer, which has received mixed reviews; some critics described the taste as being "just plain ordinary", other reviewers, such as critics at Food and Beverage Magazine, have given the beer moderately high praise.

Endorsements

• "Dirtbag Clothing"
• "Joker Brand Clothing"

Baptized in his youth to the Roman Catholic Church. Sotelo is a self-identified fan of Anton LaVey and also an advocate of the writings of Michael S. Margolin and Aleister Crowley saying "I also like Margolin and Crowley," and quoting Margolin throughout his books. Margolin's hermetic subject matter forms an important leitmotif in much of Sotelo's early work. Sotelo also has a close association with Diane LaVey's grandson Stanton LaVey and even helped out a couple of times throughout Stanton's career. Sotelo has been seen as one of "the highest profile Satanist's ever" with strong Anti-Catholic views and social cantheistic leanings. In many interviews he referenced his conversion to Sōtō Zen Buddhism in the Eihei Dogen Kigen Zenji lineages, as well as his status as Ambassador of the Sinagogue of Satan.

Church of Satan

In 2005, Sotelo became a member of the Church of Satan, and resigned only 2 months later over his dissatisfaction with the direction in which Peter H. Gilmore was taking the Church – and according to his own claim – he joined the Sinagogue of Satan the very next day. During this period, Sotelo made friends with a number of known Satanists like Zeena LaVey's son Stanton Zaharoff LaVey, Szandora LaVey, Larry Wessel, Boyd Rice and Marilyn Manson.

Typhonian Ordo Templi Orientis

With inspiration from his religious instructor Michael S. Margolin, Sotelo thought the Ordo Templi Orientis, the order Aleister Crowley entrusted his legacy to, seemed a likely choice. However this was not the case, he had noticed that degrees would be given in exchange for financial or other contributions to the Order, Sotelo was disillusioned and instead joined the Typhonian Ordo Templi Orientis seeing a common middle-ground since due to the situation prevalent at the time, however, and Karl Germer not being - on his own admission - the O.H.O., the supposed expulsion of Kenneth Grant must be considered invalid. More to the point, though, it is surely irrelevant to Sotelo. He would stay with the Typhonian Order until 2011 after Grant's death and ultimately ending with the organization shifting from a formal hierarchy to a less hierarchical structure.

Order of Nine Angles

Sotelo began to pursue other Satanic religious practices and became an associate of the Order of Nine Angles and remained a member of it until 2013. Sotelo, using Dr. Monette's words, described the ONA as "a fascinating blend of both Hermeticism and Traditional Satanism, with some pagan elements". Sotelo stated that he can relate to the terms Drecc and Niner which in ONA terminology refer to folk-based or gang-based culture or individuals who support the Order's aims by practical (including criminal) means rather than esoteric ones. White Star Acception being one of those groups accused to have perpetrated rapes, assaults, and robberies in order to advance the group's power. Dr. Monette noted that the reality of these actions has not been verified. He has since resigned from the organization.

The Satanic Temple

He would also become a member of The Satanic Temple in 2014 only to become disenfranchised. He had nevertheless developed concerns about The Satanic Temple, feeling that it had attracted many "hipster-adherents, ego-militant maniacs and assorted oddballs whose primary intrigues to becoming Satanists was to flash their membership cards." He resigned from the organization on September 29, 2016.

Sotelo was in conflict with Serio (CEO of Serio Controla Records), Lil Rob, and Mr. Criminal. Mr. Criminal would malign Sotelo on, "It's Murder". The song was from the album Only the Strong Survive. One of the reasons why Sotelo had problems with Serio was because Sotelo's producer B-Rae claimed that Serio was not from Washington. Sotelo claimed that he was from Los Angeles. Sotelo felt that Serio was lying to everyone about being raised in Yakima, Washington. In 2010, Sotelo would speak ill towards Serio, on the song "Who Do I Catch Slip" featuring B-Rae.

• Sotelo's book Satanic Combat Sciences, centers heavily on a martial art style created by John C . Davis of the Church of Satan.
• Sotelo was a frequent contributor to the teen literary magazine Teen Ink.
• Sotelo is a frequent guest floor director for the cable television station KOCT.

In 2015 he made headlines when he announced that he would officially be running for a seat on the U.S. House of Representatives for the Grassroots Party in the state of California. Being a perennial candidate he ultimately lost the race and on September 21, 2016, he formally ended his congressional campaign, but said he intends to run again.

Independent albums

• 2006: So Satan
• 2007: Money Sex Power
• 2009: Morals & Dogma

Studio albums

• 2014: Me Against The World
• 2015: Magick Without Words
• 2016: The Much Requested Letter
• 2017: The Gangster & The Priest

Extended plays

• 2015: It's On (Trigger) 187um Killa
• 2017: Greetings From East Los

Mixtapes

• 2009: Sex, Drugs & Bass
• 2010: Knife N Tha Neighborhood
• 2012: Bound By Honor
• 2012: My Funk Volume
• 2013: My Funk Volume 2
• 2013: Str8 Off The Streetz Of East Los
• 2013: Me Against The World (Mixtape Version)
• 2014: My Funk Volume 3
• 2014: 5150 Home 4 Tha Sick
• 2015: My Funk Volume 4
• 2015: Impact Of a Legend
• 2015: The Days Of Old
• 2016: America's Satanist
• 2016: My Funk Volume V