A vision of doom causes rapper to switch from secular to gospel music

By CARA HUNT | Tribune Features Writer | cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

Gospel artist Mr Blaxx hopes that his journey into spirituality will inspire other young people to live a more positive life.

The rapper turned from secular to gospel music after an epiphany of sorts; a sudden premonition that his current path in life would lead to disaster. Now, he is on a very different path; one that has led him to working with an international artist on an award-winning song.

“I was always into secular music and I was working in the club as a deejay, but then one day God showed me a vision of being in the club when there was a shooting and three persons were shot,” he told Tribune Weekend.

That vision paired with other occurrences in his life made Mr Blaxx realise it was time to make a change.

“I decided that I needed to turn my life to Christ and I knew I wanted to go down a different path,” he said.

Initially, he was very quiet about this change, but then he had another epiphany.

“I realised that I had been bold in the world and so I needed to be bold for God,” he said.

Instead of continuing to pursue a career in secular music, he decided to use his talents for worship.

“I was able to connect with gospel artist Landlord and he just helped me to grow my career. Landlord took me into rooms my feet had never touched,” he said.

As his faith grew and his career evolved, Mr Blaxx had to deal with the doubts of those from his former life who questioned his switch.

“These people, they knew me from my past and certain circumstances, so they would say, ‘Man, we know you; you grew up around here. You ain’ change.’ So I had to just continue living my life for God and doing the best I could,” he said.

He admitted that making such a huge change has not been easy, and in fact, required daily recommitment and effort.

“It is not easy to change. I was still dealing with the habits of the world. Even though I woke up and said was I saved, I was not delivered and was still being tempted by those things. It just doesn’t go away; you have to work at it,” he said.

Mr Blaxx said he likes to keep his music 100 percent real.

“I want people to see my story and realise that everyone has a story; it isn’t only you going through a challenge. Everyone is dealing with something, with their spouse or with their child; maybe they have an empty cupboard and no money for groceries or whatever else it is. I want to send real messages to people. I want them to know that everything is seasonal and it can get better. You need to be strong,” he said.

Mr Blaxx is confident that he can spread this message of positivity throughout the world.

He has already started making a name for himself abroad. He recently partnered with Pastor Jumu Grant, a praise and worship leader who resides in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, but is originally from Trinidad and Tobago.

The two worked together on their award-winning song, “All Praises Due”.

Jumu told Tribune Weekend he was inspired to write the song after going through a rough patch himself.

“Several people in my life had passed and it;s about still praising and trusting through everything,” he said.

Jumu consulted with fellow artist and his friend Orlando Miller, also known as “Landlord”, who recommended that he connect with Mr Blaxx.

“I sent him a melody and some of the words and he sent me back his rap segments, and we were able to combine everything,” he explained.

They were also able to work on a music video, separately but together.

“He filmed in Nassau in the sunshine and I was in the snow in Canada, but we were able to make a wonderful seamless video,” said Jumu.

He describes Mr Blaxx as a true brother and hopes for further collaborations. Jumu is also planning a possible trip to Nassau this Fall so they perform together.

Mr Blaxx said he is excited about the future holds.

“People ask me where I see myself in the next five or ten years, and I want to be all over. Physically, I may still be in Nassau, but I want my music to reach the people who it can help,” he said.

“I want people to say, ‘Your music helped me change my life.’ I don’t want to be mediocre. I want everything I do for God to be my very best.”