Kesi Asher, Staff Reporter
Gospel artiste Collin Chambers, aka Craig C. - CONTRIBUTED
CRAIG C has two things on his mind - deejay/ R&B gospel music and academic excellence.
Born Collin Chambers, Craig C tries to balance his music career and education. And as a management studies student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), he has a full plate.
This month he will have full servings of exams, regular school, performances and recording sessions. As far as performances go, on March 10 he will perform at the Cross Over Jesus Party at Fun in the Son. This month will also see him at the Portmore United concert.
He has performed previously at Genesis Festival, Salvation PhD and First Sundays Unchained.
USING WISDOM
The second year university student knows he has to concentrate on his studies, as music might not always be viable.
"I have to deal with it. Though I want to do the music I have to have something to fall back on. Music is something that's never sure. You can be hot today and not tomorrow, especially since you don't get a lot of money from the music. I'm hoping to have a business to fund the ministry," said Craig C.
He has recorded several songs, including You, featuring Murphy, Wordajuana (Haffi Tek a Whiff) and Spiritual Beretta. Some of his songs are released in Miami and Atlanta, as well as Jamaica, and are available for free download at www.download.com/craigc. He says about 2,800 people have downloaded You, which is on the Mainframe rhythm compilation.
Craig C believes that his music reaches all ages, dealing with feelings everyone can relate to. As an only child he has experienced some of these feelings first-hand and sees his songs as a testimony.
REACHING ALL AGES
"Craig C brings a difference to the place. I sing soft R&B and hard DJ lyrics. The topics in my songs are like testimony that people can relate to. It's about hurt, loneliness, praise and other things that Christians and unsaved people can relate to," he said.
Still, Craig C has had problems of his own. "A lot of people want to exploit you as an artiste. You have to have the spirit of discernment that separates the wolves from the sheep. I have gone through a couple of those people. My main aim to just to focus on the ministry and not the money. When you focus on the money, it kills the ministry," he said.
Through it all, he has learnt to trust in Jesus. "If I'm not living right, the music doesn't flow. In order for my ministry to continue, my life has to be always right and focused. I've learnt how to deal with the spotlight and I pray about it," Craig C said.
EXPRESSING HIS TALENT
The 20-year-old has been a Christian since 2000, but grew up in the church. He has been attending Portmore United Church all his life and was even christened at its altar. He started deejaying in his final year at St. Andrew Preparatory School and continued at Ardenne High.
"The talent was there, but I had trouble expressing it in church because I've never seen people sing to God in that way. Then I saw Prodigal and DJ Nicholas and I saw this as a chance to express my talent," he said.
When he started singing in church in 2002 and recording in 2003, the youth fellowship at his church was behind him 100 per cent, but the adults were not quite with him.
"When I performed on youth night at the church crusade, the older folks weren't accepting it. Then I started singing songs with a smoother worship vibe, so they support it now, in a way," he said.
