GOSPEL ARTISTE Papa San believes that reggae gospel music is finally being accepted by the church.
The gospel deejay in January became the first Jamaican and Caribbean artiste to win a 'Stellar Award'.
The Stellar Awards is one of gospel music's most prestigious award ceremonies, which honours gospel acts worldwide. It is in its 19th year and centres around the gospel music industry, this year's ceremony held at the George R. Browm Convention Centre in Houston, Texas, was co-hosted by Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams.
Papa San won, from a group of four overseas entertainers the award for 'Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD Of The Year' for his album God and I. Other nominees in this category were Soul Jahz's The Fault is History; Lil iRocc Williams' Lil iRocc Williams; and Gospel Gangstaz's, Exodus.
In terms of his award San says it is "history making for the Caribbean and for gospel and reggae music in general," he said. "The sky's the limit. We are going up there, we are getting worldwide recognition."
While his mesmerising and intricate word play may have got him the nomination, Papa San credits his win to God's will. "I am just privileged to be in a position to be used by God," he said.
According to information posted on the awards website stellar awards.com Multiple Stellar winners this year included Vickie Winans (with four, plus her album won for artwork), Lee Williams and The Spiritual QCs (with five), Deitrick Haddon (with two), Byron Cage (with three, plus Song of the Year and his album won the 'Producer of the Year' award for Kurt Carr) and Hezekiah Walker (with two).
Papa San has been one of the most prolific artistes in Jamaican music industry for the last two decades. From 1985 when he started to when he became known as the 'fastest talking deejay' in Jamaican music, Papa San has inspired. Taking his mile-a-minute flow to Gospel music seven years ago has not put a damper on this entertainer. Today he is quietly saving souls and making history.
God and I is Papa San's second album since his conversion to Christianity. He released the album Victory in 1999 and a book, Journey to Life, in 2003 in which he documents his life. Papa San hopes to continue his win in the upcoming Dove awards to be held on April 28, 2004 in Nashville Tennessee.
