Exclusive Interview with Affliction Music - Cover Story March/April 2025
- James Baldrick
- Apr 20
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 30
Back in my early promotion days (mid to late 2000’s) when we were throwing countless showcases and performances in southern Colorado, I recall even back then, one of the few hip hop emcees in Colorado Springs, CO making waves on many stages, with his music. Over 15 years later in the 719, David Gittings aka D-Stylz, defines what the terms consistency, dedication, discipline and hard work really are made of. Now, owner/founder and one-half of a power couple/music group/family well-known as Affliction Music (Mountain House Collective MHM), D-Stylz and his team continue to make headlines with amazing events and major media moves, both in and out of the 719. In the same breath, let us not fail to mention the other half of that equation; Sarah Nelson aka High Key, an amazing emcee and vocalist herself. Also, David's current fiance' as of over 3 years ago, and now inseparable “partner in crime”, in this never-ending journey of life, both on and off the stages. The growth is undeniable for Affliction Music.
Originally from Philadephia, PA, David “D-Stylz” Gittings, also in a military household growing up, became quickly accustomed to moving around before settling down more in his high schools years, in Colorado Springs, CO. At a young age, David absorbed the different areas and great variety of cultures of music he was exposed to before residing in Colorado, which he attributes to his seasoned craft as a hip hop emcee. His stagename “D-Stylz” ironically came from his aspirations in his youth as a drummer, which led to an email that was created “DrummStyle” and also his admitted fixation of color coordination. The concept would then evolve, after being around long time friends such as Reflecshaun, (also a long time well known artist in the 719) among others, which became the renowned name of “D-Stylz”.
Being awarded a scholarship in college on the drumline, David became immersed into the college cultures and communities in Colorado also heavily connecting with other music industry figures, promoters, and venues. D would them become even more serious about his craft while also linking with other promotional entities such as Chris Sweat, and DJ D Jaden, forming a well known promotional entity back in the mid 2000’s - Dy-Nasty Crew, who my team at the time (Dirty Limelight/Hustle Hard Records) also collaborated with on a few nightclub events as well. This was also to my knowledge, my first run in with D-Stylz during the start of my own promotional career that started with Vue, Rum Bay, City Auditorium, Eden, 13 Pure and Sodo. The roots run deep...
Shortly after, D-Stylz began to get even more serious with his craft as a rapper/emcee, developing himself as a respected artist, joining more shows, recording EP’s, entering contests and even becoming one of the first winners of 96.1’s "Local Beat Countdown". This would eventually lead to an amazing opportunity thanks to his colleague Chris Sweat, to open up for the late and legendary Mac Miller, a sold out crowd at The Black Sheep in Colorado Springs, CO. For D, there was no looking back!
D Stylz then formed a clique/group of 8 emcees who went by “Fliistarsz”, who included long time artists and DJ’s, such as Flow Mane, Shaun Mercier, & DJ Sh3vy , and others still doing their things with music. Many of the numerous names mentioned during our exclusive interview brought back some serious nostalgia, giving me even more confirmation of the impressive history of D’s career in the 719. I’ve witnessed many of these relationships grow firsthand because we share many of the same.
This led to D-Stylz creating a team self-titled “Team Stylz” in 2012, which plugged him into some priceless relationships with venues, one to mention - the legendary Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, CO, which still host some of the biggest major music showcases to ever hit Denver. The seeds were planted bringing more and more opportunities including touring with major recording artist Afroman, and sharing stages and bills with major names as big as Freddie Gibbs, and Raekwon of the Wu Tang Clan. Relationships with venues steadily increased as D-Stylz aggressively pursued more and more gigs. This is the timeframe when David met Sarah, a moment that would change both of their lives and the beginning of this love story of which would also soon become;
a force to be reckoned with...
Sarah Nelson began her passion for singing at the young age of 13 years old. Born and raised in southern Texas, as early as middle school, she would sing national anthems for numerous events including the Special Olympics, local sports games and other big functions, both in and out of school. Even at a very early age, Sarah would sing at karaoke bars and other gatherings throughout her community growing up.
In her youth and younger years, Sarah would develop a very strong love for the local music cultures in Texas this would include the world famous “chop & screw” rap cultures (DJ Screw) and not to mention being from the same area, her avid love and admitted affections for the late legendary Selena “The Queen of Tejano Music”. During this time she signed with a record label Skelly Productions, which would essentially push her to take her craft and passion of music and singing even more seriously.
Before the age of 21, Sarah had tried out for the hit TV talent show, ABC's American Idol, while also pursing many other promising opportunities. Eventually, Sarah would leave her label in Texas to pursue her own music career independently. This was mainly due to her unwillingness to compromise when it came to writing her own material and having true authenticity of the messages she wished to convey to her audience. For her, writing her own music was absolutely essential for her as an artist, and has been to this present day. Ironically, I couldn’t agree more and personally share that same exact stance when it comes to putting out music.
In 2015, Sarah moved to Colorado Springs, CO and connected with some of the original cannabis and music communities in the 719. Becoming a “frequent flyer” at The Dab Lounge, a legendary cannabis friendly marijuana concentrate/dab bar at the time, simultaneously networking with much of the local music community. One thing about Colorado is when it comes to the cannabis community, the local music scene has always been, and always will be, heavy in the mix.
Sarah would eventually network and work with many other artists and musicians in the 719, including the likes of notable names such as 2Fly HiSyd, Intalect, and more. This would lead her on to more and more opportunities and essentially land her one of her first of many major opportunities, opening for Strange Music artist ¡Mayday! coincidentally also at The Black Sheep, in Colorado Springs, where David got some of his first start in showcases. Thus began Sarah’s grind as a solo artist with countless recording sessions and features, plugging even more with the local music scene in southern Colorado.
In time she would link with other cannabis-friendly venues such as the notorious Speak Easy Vape Lounge, another former legendary venue and other events and promoters, including some current 719 Mag team members such as Marcus Garcia “Mr Xtra”, Jerel Ink, and other key figures, within the music community. Sarah would then become a “dab tender” at one of the very few dab lounges in the 719 at the time, connecting her even more with the local communities inevitably meeting David after hearing one of his many impressive performances. Very quickly Sarah and David bonded and became very close and within a short time, they became inseparable as a couple.
David and Sarah began to work on new music as a duo and recorded a new song together entitled “Fatal Attraction” that gained a lot of buzz and even went viral at some point. This inspired a new passion to create even more music together and very shortly after, they formed a new music group for themselves naming it Affliction Music representing their perseverance, as well as creating a stage name for Sarah, “High Key”. This is when D and Sarah would also find their chemistry as artists, as well as on a much deeper personal level.
Like any relationship with challenges, the power couple now becoming quite well-known as Affliction Music would always find a way to persevere, overcoming any obstacles set before them. With their combined artistic talents and goal oriented mindset, D-Stylz and Sarah "High Key" Nelson would begin making some certified crowd moving music, creating a very unique hip hop & r&b vibe on the stage and in the studio. These priceless relationships with venues and DJ's with doing more and more shows in and out of Colorado began to sprout some amazing opportunities and gaining some valuable attention. to include the attention of long-time music publication, Bandwagon Magazine, originally based out of Greeley, CO. Thus began a partnership and a pretty impressive working relationship together with owner/founder Ely Corliss, who also has an exceptionally impressive resume of venues and events, not to mention a publication now celebrating 14 years in production hitting over 50,000 households in businesses in northern Colorado and numerous venues to include owning the legendary Moxi Theater in Greeley, CO, where Bandwagon is operated from, along with a string of other neighboring restaurants and cafes that Ely operates.
Recently, I have had several opportunities offered to 719 Mag directly from our close friends at Affliction Music, and when I say close friends, let's just say both my family's children and their children are very acquainted! And while this story is completely unbiased, I wouldn't be a good friend by not doing our family some justice with conveying some of their accomplishments. The respect has always been mutual and we are grateful to be able to tell this story that hasn't really been put out there, or at least not to this extent.
As the relationship with Affliction Music and Bandwagon Presents would grow, other relationships also began to flourish, to include some homegrown businesses such as Juicy Concentrates, and Biomeds. Recently, this power couple came together with these dispos and growers, and got directly into the process of growing their own marijuana strain, one recently named “Affliction” with a very high THC rating - aka what we would call gas! ⛽️ 🔥 This also highlights how local music and cannabis communities can combine strategies when it comes to support and marketing quality music and products (now available recreational in Colorado Springs). Colorado being one the few innovative states where these different types of markets and cultures continue to grow and promote each other. In a sense, this is a form of pioneering.
As many of these valuable relationships have come into full bloom, recently Bandwagon Mag officially brought in Affliction Music onboard, to assist with not only events and operations, but also to essentially spearhead Bandwagon's official expansion and pioneering efforts into southern Colorado with Bandwagon Magazine - Colorado Springs. During this whole major move, Affliction Music gave 719 Mag an exclusive invitation to partner and assist both Affliction and Bandwagon with these amazing expansive efforts while also assisting us with learning more about strategies and innovative ways to push a magazine. Since then, we're honored to have been able to attend a few of these gatherings and meetings, even offering some insight with the local music scene. A valuable partnership indeed that we look forward to no question!
Big salute and CONGRATS to Affliction Music and Bandwagon Presents!
These days, Affliction Music keeps their plates super full, not only helping Bandwagon pioneer an actual expansion in Colorado Springs, also just recently dropping their first issue in Colorado Springs, but also preparing for some major showcases coming to Colorado Springs, to include renowned rap star Dave East at Sunshine Studios in Colorado Springs on May 2nd, then at The Moxi Theater in Greeley, CO on May 3rd! However, let us be among the first to congratulate Affliction Music (in a publication) just announced being one of the two opening acts, with Black Pegasus (Aug 2023, original launch issue story) to perform this June 2025 at the Yelawolf & Three Six Mafia concert at the new Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs!!! This will also be Ford Amphitheater’s very first rap/hip hop booking, since opening last year. What a monumental moment in music history not only for the city of Colorado Springs, but especially for Affliction Music!
As the months progress this summer and the rest of the year, it’s a no brainer to recognize that many big things are on the horizon for the fam Affliction Music. Check out their new release “Hitchhikin’” available on all platforms and stay tuned for quite a few more releases and special announcements from Affliction Music! Let us not fail to mention; joining forces with Affliction is also a well known hip hop pioneer, 719’s own DJ Pressplaydoe aka Macadoe (one of the originators of former Macaattic Crew, a group of artists we used to do events with many years back). Macadoe is also a long time artist, producer, engineer and is currently the official DJ of Men of Influence (MOI), also close partners of ours. Affliction Music also has long history with Macadoe and have countless days, nights and hours recording many of their masterpieces also at his studio.
We at 719 Mag are honored to be riding with D-Stylz and High Key / Affliction Music in this journey of music success and being able to not only see it firsthand but be able to help tell the story. One that’s been long overdue!
Stay tuned in with 719 Mag Live! and right here at 719mag.com to get even more glimpses into these power moves with this power couple known as Affliction Music. Either way it goes just check the headlines!! …. but try not to be blinded by the shining bright lights of Affliction Music!
@afflictionmusic
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Written by James Baldrick @idirty
Editor in Chief/Owner, 719 Magazine
Special thanks to: 719 Mag Staff; David “D-Stylz” Gittings, Sarah “High Key” Nelson, Affliction Music, Mountain House Music Collective (MHM), Ebony Baldrick, Bandwagon Magazine Presents - Colorado Springs, Ely Corliss, Tony Mason and Bandwagon staff, also our amazing founding sponsors, supporters and contributors!
