By Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
Prodigal Son
HE HAS distinguished himself in the gospel music industry as the radical Christian, who is determined to use his talents as a hardcore deejay to preach and spread the gospel.
Calvin Wilby, more commonly known as Prodigal Son, says he was introduced to the business of gospel music by veteran producer Danny Brownie and, since then, he has been taking his ministry to greater heights.
"I got started in 1999, when I was introduced to it (gospel music) by Danny Brownie and I released I Wish and then Radikal Prodigal which did very well on the Main Street label," he said.
Prodigal says since getting off to such a good start he has recently found the courage through God to venture out on his own and has formed his own record label and company, called Radikal Communications.
He has taken on more tasks than just being a deejay, as in his capacity of founder and CEO of Radikal Communications he has been working as a producer for younger artistes within his camp like Prodigy, DJ Nicholas, Jason Mighty and others.
According to Prodigal, even though there may be no end to the task that has to be done, at the end of the day he still feels encouraged to continue doing God's work. "It's a joy to just drive on the road sometimes and hear a man sey Prodigal yuh bless mi, or your song has ministered to me," he said. According to Prodigal, "I am doing God's work, and it's fulfilling."
TRIALS
As a radical gospel artiste trying to make a positive impression on the lives of people (both Christians and non-Christians), Prodigal says he has not always been met with open arms from some of the more traditional folks within the church. Nevertheless, Prodigal says this will not deter his ministry.
"Some people think that the music that we do is not Godly, because we do it reggae style. Because of this I don't think we have been getting much support from Christian radio stations and so I have had to resort to using the secular media," Prodigal explained.
Because of this, Prodigal says, he has been accused by some persons of trying to tap into the secular market to make money, but this is far from the truth.
"I am not trying to tap into the secular market for the money I can gain, as some people may believe, but I want to reach the secular people, those who are unsaved," he said. According to Prodigal, Christians love and enjoy his music and ministry, but at the end of the day the real deal is to rescue the unsaved sinner.
Prodigal says he will be having his Recharge Concert on July 24th at the Family Church on the Rock and plans are in full flight for that concert.
He recently had an official release for his new video called The Cross and says he is now in the process of working on his new album one that he says promises to be different.
"This album is going to be a shock to everyone; just expect the unexpected. I am putting my all into it," he said.
Prodigal says in the midst of working on his new album, he is also preparing to go off on tour soon. "I am also preparing for tour starting in June, when I'll be going to Canada then on to St. Martin and then the United Kingdom (UK)," he said.
GROWING SUPPORT
The radical deejay says despite some of the resistance he has been getting from traditionalists in the church, his fans both locally and abroad have been showing him some crazy love.
"The people who support me both locally and abroad show me a lot of love, and especially when I travel to the States as an international act, they crave more to see you and talk to you," Prodigal said.
Prodigal says he also wants to publicly congratulate all the secular media, as they have really been rotating his music. "They are really putting out the effort to help us spread the music," he says as he continues to move forward in ministry as the Lord directs him.
