JACKSON
GOSPEL HAS evolved and has taken on many forms - reggae, soul, R&B and now rap.
Dwayne 'D.A.Jay' Jackson, 22, is a young soldier enlisted in God's army. He sings gospel hip hop and raps his way through his songs. He started singing in 2002 and has since recorded Holy Ghost Party and Let The Word Of My Mouth Be Acceptable.
His rap talent unwound from behind the classroom desks at Watt Town All-Age School in St. Ann. "I always liked hip hop music. My classmates said I was good and encouraged me along the way, I later decided to take it seriously," said D.A.Jay.
Still, some listeners don't love it as much as he does.
"Hip hop is not a Jamaican thing. People have a stereotype; when you're born in Jamaica you're supposed to deejay. Instead of people focusing on the delivery and the message, they are there to judge me to see if I can really rap. They don't understand that my talent has nothing to do with the culture. Sometimes it's kinda discouraging," said D.A.Jay.
STILL BEARING THE MESSAGE
The gospel rapper believes that the style of delivery doesn't take away from the message. "People should focus on the Word and not on the beat, as the beat doesn't take anything from the ministry," he said.
Though discouragement abounds, D.A.Jay asserts there have been some encouraging people, though rare.
His musical influences are Nas, Cross Movement and Mary Mary, among others. "I like Nas. He doesn't sing gospel music; he is a secular artiste, but he understands the power of music. He doesn't sing any trivial topic. He is trying to save the music and that's what I'm about, I'm trying to save people. Nas is very inspiring," said D.A.Jay.
Besides the rap aspect of the music, he tries to make his songs entertaining, and incorporates social commentary in each song.
"I try to inspire people with my songs. One of the songs, The Sky Is The Limit, is not a gospel song, but it is very inspirational. I try to make my songs entertaining and informative; we call it ministertainment. We focus on entertaining and the Word simultaneously," said D.A.Jay.
He has done several shows like the Rise To Christ Tour in Kingston and Manchester and Reggae Jammin in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew. Currently signed to Dizzle Lab Production, he started writing songs in 2000 and writes all the lyrics he sings.
It was in May 2000 that he became a Christian, through two of his cousins who got saved before him. Born in Watt Town, the gospel rapper attends Portmore United Church, as he now resides in Kingston. Fixing computers is his main interest and he plans on making a career in that field, while continuing his music ministry.
NO WORRIES
As a full-fledged rapper, D.A.Jay believes that rapping is just another way to get the message out to the many people who need to hear the Word of God. Though still young in age and in the business, he doesn't worry, as everything is in God's hands.
"There are many challenges in the gospel music business, but I don't worry too much about problems because everything is in the Lord's hands. We are here to teach and to preach and my music is for the people, no matter what form it is in. I will continue in the faith and hope that others will see Christ through my music," said D.A.Jay.
- K.A.
