Meet Erik Condoll “Crondo” of Our Black Father’s Committee in Maryvale West Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Condoll “Crondo”.

Erik, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Raised by a queen Sherri Griffin and Rodney X, Father figure as well Phillip Condoll. A Phoenix Native son. I Grew up early in South Phoenix attending MLK elementary school and then Maxine O. Bush elementary.

Around 6th grade, we moved to Maryvale West Phoenix to one of the most notorious drug and gang infested areas known as the “Vee Gee’s”. This is where I got enticed by the drug dealing, robbery, and gang culture. Even though I grew up in lower middle-class section 8 housing, Values and responsibilities of life were taught to me and my younger sister Erika at an early age. Raised as a Southern Baptist and Fruit of Islam ideology. My household was very political yet fun.

At around age 16, I was incarcerated for a year sentence given seven years probation for armed robbery. After that year, I got into my first music venture with childhood neighborhood friend Daniel Alonzo. We formed the group Noyzart pronounced “Noise Art” an eclectic musical fuse with hip hop, and 80’s themed party music. While amongst doing music I struggled with my mother’s health getting worse as she had sickle cell anemia. My mother was very proud of me while doing music as we had record contract offers from DreamWorks Records and numerous production companies. Three year’s after starting my first music venture, I was incarcerated again for probation violation and given 3 and a half years in the state penetentiary.

After this sentence, I got out and stayed out if trouble enrolled in college, also a sound engineer trade school. Shortly after getting released three months later, my Mom passed away from struggles from sickle cell anemia. I go through a deep depression that I didn’t even realize I was in. I tucked it away as best I could. This is when I ran into my childhood friend Trae Gaines. We started the supergroup The Hood Cartel-THC with my cousin Martel, Trae’s cousin Shaquan and my longtime friend Bruce. We began touring, selling Merch and music and promoting our own shows. During this venture, I got incarcerated again for guns and weapons charges right after the birth of my daughter Destiny. Depression had alot to do with this as I had to deal with her being born with sickle cell a couple of years after my mother passing from it. After two years, I come home with a fresh mindstate rehabilitated and ready to provide a better life for my daughter and myself.

Soul searching, growing older, maturing and enduring life’s lessons have brought me to where I am today. A Mentor with Our Black Father’s Committee, where we help build up and strengthen the community, one father at a time. We Mentor young Black and brown boy’s. We Mentor father’s and have father support groups and do givebacks and charity work with the communities in different parts of Phoenix. I also help out with the Fight 4 Life No excuses mentors with Qaadir Muhammad, Brotha Anthony, and Jvion Jones. Describing me now I’m good Father, Mentor, Musician, wanna be body builder *lol, Pot Roast Podcast host. I’m the true definition of overcoming obstacles, staying true and grounded as a pillar of my community.

Has it been a smooth road?
Racism, incarceration, death

What else should our readers know?
Overcoming obstacles, how to deal with getting out and staying out, how to deal with family who has sickle cell anemia.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Phoenix is a great city, it is becoming more diverse it is constantly growing and there’s a lot of work to do in the communities.

Contact Info:

• Email: Ecrondo@gmail.com
• Instagram: Crondomatic
• Facebook: Erik Condoll
• Twitter: Ecrondo

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