Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

- D.A.Jay

Dwayne 'D.A. Jay' Jackson describes himself as a songwriter, DJ and hip-hop singer doing what God had blessed him to do, bring souls to Christ.

From a rugged childhood to now being a man of God, he sees his childhood experience as testimony to what God can do to the most wretched. "The Bible seh the whole beauty of man is to praise him. I have realised and that is what I want other people to see," he said.

In these times when contemporary gospel still gets flak in some circles, he is unapologetic about the kind of ministry he has been led to. For him, it is the message, not the music, which is important.

D.A. Jay grew up in Watt Town, St. Ann. By age 12 he was forced to drop out of school owing to financial difficulties. Thing got worse when he was thrown out of his family house.

Jackson's hiatus from the academic world lasted for about five years. During this time, he did several odd jobs, but his disruptive behaviour often kept him unemployed. By the time he was 15, he had matured and the financial security of a job had him hooked.

At this point, he went to live with relatives, Collin and Clayon Thomas, who had a profound spiritual impact on D.A. Jay's life, incorporating him in Bible study and devotions. A major transformation was at hand when in 2000 he gave his life to the Lord.

It has also been through their influence that D.A. Jay has now forgiven his father and they are rebuilding their relationship.

He had long forgotten about school, but his cousin Miguel offered to send him back to school. D.A. Jay came to Kingston and started school at the Pen-Tab Institute, where he was successful in CXC and GCE subjects. Another life-changing event occurred, as his English teacher helped him unearth his singing ability.

She gave him confidence to see the merit in his work. With her encouragement, he experimented with rhymes and poems. "We all need to know our purpose and why we are here. We were created. Some people think they can get up each day and just have fun. That is not life," D.A. Jay said.

D.A. Jay plans to do information technology and his singing ministry simultaneously. He has been recording and performing on the church circuit, with an official debut single Ain't No Stopping in the works.