Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
HE NO longer goes under the stage name of 'Prodigy'; instead, gospel deejay Ryan Mark is now using his own name on stage.
This change, Ryan Mark said, was to accommodate the release of his debut gospel album, entitled The Chosen Prodigy.
According to Mark, he is looking ahead to the success of his debut album both locally and abroad and the name 'Prodigy' may be in conflict with other interests already established in the music business.
"I've changed my stage name to Ryan Mark just since the release of my album, which is about two months now, and this name change came about because of the international market. You have a rock group and a rapper that go by the name Prodigy and when I was doing this album I was thinking not only locally but also internationally. You have people who will stick to calling me Prodigy and I don't have a problem with that, but I really changed my stage name to ensure that there are no conflicts when I break on the international market," Mark explained.
FEELING UPBEAT
Ryan Mark says he is feeling upbeat about the release of his debut album, as working with the experts and actually compiling the songs on the album was fun. "For a debut product I feel good about the album. I worked with Danny Brownie, one of the top producers in the gospel industry, and I also worked with Andrew Grew, who did the photo shoot and art direction and he also did Stitchie's Kingdom Ambassador and Prodigal's Still Standing albums," Mark said.
Mark said that 95 per cent of the songs that he recorded on the album came from real-life experiences, "so songs like Every Morning and Sin No More came out of particular struggles that I had, while other songs like I Love You Lord featuring Crissy D came out of worship and quiet time being spent with God."
According to Mark, the reaction that The Chosen Prodigy has been receiving thus far has been good, as he has had feedback from local record stores and even radio deejays abroad.
"I've been getting good reactions so far; the album was the number one selling CD in Music Mart a couple months ago and I got a call from England yesterday morning saying that it was doing well there as well," Mark said.
According to Mark the album is well rounded, as it has a touch of different genres, which has been appealing to persons right across the board.
"What I noticed, is that the album is loved by everyone - elderly people, youths, upper class people and even the unsaved have been purchasing the album and it is good to know that they are supporting a gospel product," Mark said. The Chosen Prodigy is currently being distributed by Caribbean Gospel.
"My message to the people is to just continue praying for the youth and the country; only Jesus alone can help us," Mark warned.
