The Gospel Reggae Phenomenon

Upcoming Gospel Reggae
Events

When gospel reggae first started in Jamaica, it was strongly condemned by a number of persons within the Christian community. Recently, however, what was initially viewed as a money making venture that had nothing to do with Christianity, according to Radcliffe Jones, a local evangelist; has now come into its own, being more appreciated and endorsed.

Gospel reggae, which musician Erron Lawrence defines as the infusion of rhythmic beats (riddims) mixed with lyrics that spread the message of the gospel and the gospel is the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ ; started in the late 90s. Since then this music form has grown to become a big business. Its growth was facilitated by the conversion to Christianity of a number of popular dancehall artistes of that time, artistes such as Papa San, Stitchie, Junior Tucker and Carlene Davis. These pioneers would later be joined by fellow gospel reggae artistes, such as Chevelle Franklin, Judith Mowatt, Prodigal Son, Goddy Goddy, DJ Nicholas, Prodigy (aka Ryan Mark), Kerron Ennis and the Katalys Crew.

In article entitled Reggae Revolutionaries on the website Crossrhythms.com, popular dancehall artiste Papa San who converted to Christianity in 1997 reflects on the reactions from people when he started to use the reggae styles of music in his Christian ministry. In the article, Papa San says he came under a lot of opposition, when he released his Victory album in 1999. "A lot of churches said that those songs were not to be done." See Papa San's article

The album had songs such as Hail Him Up, Road to Travel, Fly Away Home, Only Jah Mercy, Victory, First Him, As a Christian, Jesus Love, Mama and Touch From You.

Since that time, however, many have started to accept Papa San's music. In 2004, he won a Stellar Award, one of the premier gospel music awards. He is the first Caribbean native to receive this award.

After 13 hit singles and 20 albums, Papa San says he realizes that people are coming around and that they are beginning to understand that it is not about the music but what comes from the mouth - the gospel, God's good news.

Another gospel reggae artiste, Ryan "Prodigy" Mark agrees that gospel reggae is now more accepted among a large percentage of the population. "Couple years ago, you could see the resentment on people's faces when I performed. People are now recognizing the power in what we are doing," he says. Prodigy says he has heard many testimonies of lives being changed as a result of the ministry of gospel reggae.

Glory Music Productions, organizers of the annual gospel event, Fun in the Son, say that the number of patrons and sponsors at that event has increased dramatically over the numbers reported for last year's staging. They see this support as evidence of the growing interest in this music form.

Research shows that there has been considerably growth in the gospel reggae industry since the early 1990s. According to GospelReggae.com, gospel reggae music is now selling more albums and records than other forms of gospel music such as rock, jazz and contemporary.

GospelReggae.com attributes this growth in gospel reggae sales to the exposure of these artistes on the international stage. For instance, Prodigal, a gospel reggae artiste, who is making an impact not internationally. He has performed before crowds as large as 50,000 at a number of sold-out events with internationally acclaimed artistes such as Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans, Jackie McCullough, Tobi Mac, and Mary Mary.

Natasha Miller, one of the patrons who attended Fun in the Son, says she was never a great fan of gospel reggae, but has recently changed her stance. "I use to hit out on them (gospel reggae artistes), because I was brought up on the more conventional type of gospel music. However, my cousin encouraged me to listen, really listen to some of the songs. She said she wanted me to make a more informed decision on the issue. Trust me, since then I'm hooked, I'm now a faithful fan of Prodigal Son and Moses."

However, there are some who are still not comfortable with gospel reggae. "Gospel reggae is a deceptive tool of the Devil used to trap Christians, especially Christian young people. It is just another way of making money. There is no real ministry behind it, just entertainment. I will never change my views on this issue because God never changes and His Word remains the same," says Choyes Codner, assistant pastor of the Bethel Born Again Church of Jesus Christ in Kingston.

Prodigy believes that once the content of the songs are not contrary to the Word of God, they should not be condemned.

" It's just a matter that things and times change, just as how we used chariots back in days and today it's the motorcar, gospel reggae is for this time," says Prodigy, " Plus everything was made by God, jazz, R&B, reggae and so on."

"We'd be surprise to the origins of some of the hymns in our churches. They originated from rock and roll, calypso, soul music and even jazz, so why disregard gospel reggae," says Pastor Paul Johnson of the Penrith Road Full Gospel Church in Kingston.

"Gospel has certainly come a long way. Much respect and blessings to the gospel reggae artistes that are out there on the battlefield for Christ ensuring the victory for all Christians worldwide. All I can say is thanks and praises!" says Julian Smith, a 19-year-old Christian man.

Oh people, where do I start? Well, obviously from the beginning *laughing*. Well I arrived at the venue (Hope Gardens, Kingston) at approximately 4pm.

About this time, I was informed by fellow patrons that I'd missed sets from artistes such as Omari (fairly new fellow in the gospel reggae industry), Gallimore (real gangster in the business lol)and Ziggy Soul(the spiritual rasta)

We made my way closer to the stage positioning ourselves right next to the Television Jamaica booth. This made it relatively easy for friends to be directed to our specific location and for us ourselves to find our way back to our spot from couple trips to the various food stands and bathroom located on the venue.

Enough of that preamble though, now on to the highlights! Let me break it down for you all

Prodigal Son and his band came on and floods of joy spread. The energetic minister as always, he gave hits such as Bongo Town and World Changer. Attired in three-piece suits with blood-red ties, Prodigal and gang certainly flew the blood-stained banner high.

Next was DJ Nicholas, "On the shout, listen to the big mouth." He certainly fired all his best songs at the esctatic crowd." Step, Pop off de word and Back to de Owna were just some of his ammunition

Ryan Mark took the opportunity to officially introduce his newly found wife, Chrissy D with cheers erupting from the approving crowd. Then he informed us that "God have wi bak", one of his new songs. Ryan aka Prodigy had the crowd dancing like crazy with every hit he threw.

Following closely behind his brother Prodigy was Goddy Goddy. The acclaimed rhyme-master of gospel reggae was superb.

The only band signed for the event, Katalys Crew surely proved their worth. Wonderful songs and musical pieces flowed for their entire set.

Moses was next, starting his set with a dance piece from Praise Academy dancers, the dance was as we say, "off de chain... majorly" and was done to Moses' Thunder Roll. He did his best trying to keep the crowd satisfied, while doing some serious ministering.

The Gospel Reggae Veteran Papa San was the show stopper and what a wonderful job he did. He got us all into full worship mode and nade sure we went home with our blessing baskets filled to the brim.

Good Job Glory Music Production for a well-planned & well-executed event!

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De gospel fi preach down a bongo town (town town town)
De gospel fi preach down a congo town
(Watch this)
Me love de church, but the christian save, so me start preach de gospel pon the highways, de byways
Inspired by Hailie selassie, to the rass dem we wah bring clarity (bung dung)
Me love de drumming and de, gold and green (yeah, yeah
Me love de ital veggie and de beans
Me love de gesture seh man heart fi clean plus me nuh nyam... if u know weh me mean
And me nuh deh yaso fi cause confusion
But did you know dat Selassie was a christian
Him mek de most church give to the Africans
and bring orthodox to Jamaica an seh
"A man without Christ is like a ship without a rudder," 66 when him land inna Jamaica, people bow down, him seh rise up mi brodda. i'm not God I am send by the fadda
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I like this song so much and it's not because of the rhythm or music behind it, although those do help with the listenership.
I like it because it speaks on of the major contradictions about Rastafarianism.

To hear a sample of the song, follow the link and scroll down in the in site media player until you reach YOW 4
Listen to Bongo Town