In a world where rap music often glorifies a gangsta lifestyle, the husband-and-wife musical duo K-N-S is taking its message of clean living to the streets.

Oxnard residents Keyi, 24, and Silky, 23, say they don't drink, smoke or do drugs and are adamant that their music — a blend of R&B, rap and hip-hop — reflects their positive lifestyle, a lifestyle they hope influences young people. Their goal is to become top-selling stars while maintaining a classy image.

"In this industry, you can't be afraid to be different," Silky said. "This is how artists become legends."

On Saturday, the couple will throw an invitation-only bash in Oxnard to celebrate two milestones: their one-year wedding anniversary and the release of the new K-N-S CD "Body Shots."

Keyi produced the disc, and he said the tracks blend hot, Southern-style hip-hop with West Coast cool.

"Our music fits the kids," Keyi said. "We're squeaky clean, but it's got that beat that everybody can dance to."

The duo's South-meets-West sound makes sense, as Keyi (real name Kevin E. Turner) hails from Nashville and Silky (born Shavonn Swain) is a California girl from Oxnard. The two have been together seven years and credit the longevity of their relationship to their deep religious faith, strong family ties and a mutual respect.

"It's the greatest blessing to have one another's back," Silky said. "And it's fun when you have a passion for what you do."

Silky and Keyi are a photogenic pair with a never-give-up attitude that's taking them places. The duo's video for "Wiggle" is streaming on Black Entertainment Television's Web site, and they've performed at the Roxy in West Hollywood, a club that's known more for rock 'n' roll than rap.

"We're breaking down barriers," Keyi said.

Some barriers are proving harder to break down than others. Even though there's been a longstanding public outcry for rappers to clean up their acts, it's been a tough swim against the tide for K-N-S to get major labels interested in its positive musical approach.

"It's like they (record company executives) don't know how to accept the fact that we're clean, but we're also commercial," Keyi said. "But when doors shut in our faces, we just go on and keep pushing."

Constantly brainstorming, the duo came up with the premise of creating a song about Chevrolets that wasn't driven by sexual innuendo. The result, "Ridin' in a Chevy," is a pulsing jam that celebrates the automobile brand's high-performance capabilities. "When I do doughnuts, baby, it looks like a puzzle," Keyi raps. "There's nothing like that American muscle."

The song turned out to be the perfect advertising vehicle for Oxnard's Todey Chevrolet dealership, which used the track in radio ads this year.

Keyi and Silky have done a lot of work at local schools, not only performing but also acting as role models.

"Not all kids are interested in athletics or after-school clubs," Silky said. "We talk to them about using their creative talents."

The couple is in the process of designing a program that will bring mentors to schools to speak on different topics, offering kids a chance to acquire the techniques to find success in their adult lives.

"When you do things by yourself, you feel so good about it," Silky said.

That's a credo that Silky and Keyi are living by. Their new "Body Shots" CD is being released on the duo's own label, King Fist Entertainment.

"Right now, independent is the way to go," Keyi said. "You can keep your creative control."