Official Bio

From the island of Trinidad and Tobago comes the young, vibrant music minister born Jason Joefield, but known to many as simply J Square.

J Square's musical journey began with an induction in Mission Epistle. Mission Epistle is a seasoned group which was inexistence approximately four years prior to J Square's involvement. Keron Thomas, the group's leader frequently observed Square (as he is commonly referred to) as he sang at various small church events and concerts.

J Square’s five year membership with Mission Epistle carries great influence into the music minister and business man that he is today. Late 2006 saw J square's ministry expanding from just behind the microphone to up close and personal with the cameras. He has been the "side kick" for Mention's "Bring De Riddim", one of Trinidad’s most popular youth oriented t.v. shows that premiered weekly on Acts 25. After only a year, J Square was offered his own show - "Riddim on De Road", which still airs today. The show covers all major gospel events in the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Some of the Gospel ministers he has interviewed include Donnie Mc Curklin, Mary Mary, Papa San, Sherwin Gardner, Manifest, Landlord, Double Six, Jadee, Positive, Isaac Blackman, Nicole Ballosingh-Holder and many others. J Square recently released his debut Mixtape titled "Square Peg Round Hole", featuring such hits "Don't Touch Me There", "Make The Move-A-Ment" and "My Empress". Copies of this are now being actively distributed in and around Trinidad and Tobago. He also recently launched his Compilation CD titled "Higher Ground"- a thirteen track album featuring hit songs he has released as a solo artist over the years. In the later part of 2008, J-Square joined the Dunamus Soundz Records family, out of Nassau, Bahamas. A solo album, video releases and more are forthcoming from this entrepreneur, musician and extraordinary young man.

Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com

GR: Tell us about yourself, where were you born and grow up, what your family is like, etc...

J Square: I was born in the beautiful island of Trinidad and Tobago raised by both parents, Trevor and Allison Joefield. My dad is a Pastor so I grew up as a PK, never backsliding, always keeping on the righteous path. For too long the church gratifies the testimonies of those who went out and came back in, and by all means I am glad also. However I stand proud as a youth who grew up in church and NEVER went outside!!!!

GR: How did you begin doing music?

J Square: Well you know the normal, singing in church e.t.c everyone has that beginning, but the day I really started to take it seriously was when I attended a Nicole Ballosingh Holder concert where I saw Sherwin Gardner perform for the first time. He really caught my attention. At that time I was pursuing a young lady, but when Sherwin stepped on the stage I was in awe. His Reggae music captivated me, his lyrical content was tough and I was amazed. I forgot what even happened to the “sistrin” back then, but from that day forth I started doing music.

GR: Tell me, how did your name come about? Any obstacles with it--funny mispronunciations, etc…?

J Square: Prior to J Square I was going by the name Jus Jas, however there was a popular secular disc jockey with that sobriquet here in Trinidad already. So I was “fiddling” for a name to work with because I never liked using my real name. Then one night a friend of mine called me and she was doing mathematics at the time. She gave me the name J Square and shared with me the concept of algebra where X multiplied by X is X to the 2nd Power or X². Since my full name has Two J’s she used the same concept to get J Square or J² or J to the 2nd Power…we do things on a different level every minute and every hour.

GR: What is the most valuable lesson that you learned from your Mom or Dad growing up that you still apply today?

J Square: My Mom and Dad introduced me to Jesus Christ….there isn’t a more important lesson a parent can teach a Child. My Dad also taught me that no matter how good I am, I would always need help. He taught me the importance of people and showed me how necessary each individual is to my life and even my career. He shared with me the concept of “Ladder Holding”. How high I can climb is determined by the people I have holding the bottom of my ladder.

GR: What has been the greatest mistake that you have made in ministry and learned from? How have you used this experience to change the way you approach ministry?

J Square: The greatest mistake I have made in ministry is doing music or songs for Radio Airplay. In the beginning I did what I thought Radio Disc jockeys would play, my focus was on getting my song to reach #1 on the Gospel Charts and you know what? It never did. Even though I did what these Disc Jockeys told me to do and sang how they thought I should sing. Then through time God really dealt with me as to the reason why I do music and that changed everything. I no longer do music to make it Radio Friendly. I do music to touch someone’s life. To make “goose bumps” on people’s skin, because of the level of truth I speak. I do music for the heart.

GR: If you could share the stage with any Christian or secular J Square in the world (living or dead) who would it be?

J Square: Most definitely Sherwin Gardner, Mr Lynx, Monty G, Ricardo Clarke, Sizzla Kalonji, Norris Man, Maxi Priest, Jah Melody, Jah Mason, Gentle Man, Pressure Bus Pipe, Gitta Dan….wait I did that already lol and Reggae icons like Burning Spear and the dead legends Bob Marley and Garnet Silk.

GR: I know that you have written a whole heap of songs in the past, but what's your favorite one? Now, if that is too hard for you to answer, then tell me this; if you spent 5 minutes with an avid reggae fan and only had enough time to play them one of your songs, which one would you play them?

J Square: If Only Had one chance to play them one of my songs I would play them “Pressing On” because it is one of the best songs that describes my mentality and I believe anybody could identify with it. Everyone has faced that time when they felt like giving up and in that 5 minutes I would encourage them to keep on Pressing On.

GR: Is there any song that you wrote in the past that you are embarrassed about? Anything that you wish you could make disappear?

J Square: Hummm (ponders to himself) I wrote a song called “Suicide” where I was talking about the suicidal faze of my life. For a long time people would see me and start singing the song. That was embarrassing, however I understand I would have more of this to go through, because this is the type of PERSON I am...sorry...lol . I sing “Real Songs”

GR: What were the last 5 CDs that you put in your disc changer?

J Square: CDs??? What’s That??? lol You mean what’s on my Ipod!!!!
Mr Lynx:- Prophetic Fire
Sherwin Gardner:- 100% Sold Out
Sizzla Kalonji:- Black Woman and Child
Sherwin Gardner:- I Rather Jesus
Sizzla Kalonji:- Da Real Thing


GR. What is the wickedest riddim that you never rode upon?

J Square: Jah Servant’s Riddim…on which I sang “Meditate”

GR: Read any good books lately?

J Square: Myles Munroe on Relationships: A 365-Day Devotional

GR: What's your favorite verse in the Bible and why?

J Square: Ephesians 3:20 (King James Version)
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Reason I love this verse is because I can think of living on the moon…matter fact I can think of building a Studio on Mars, and teleporting dead icons of reggae music back and forth into my studio to release some real classic stuff. Now as crazy as that sounds and as far fetched as it is imagine that isn’t even a challenge to God.

GR: What Bible character do you most identify yourself with?

J Square: Paul…he is a radical…and wrote most of the New Testament letters.

GR: What do you have to say about (or to) J Squares that started off in the Christian industry (CBA) doing gospel music and now sing secular (mainstream) with a watered down, or ambiguous message?

J Square: What can I tell them??? These are the hardest people to reach. They already know the word…or rather they think they know the word so well that no matter what you tell them they have an answer. So all I can ask Jah for is for guidance, so when I meet up these brethren that he put the right words in my mouth to say when that time comes.

GR: As Christians, God is of course our true inspiration, but beyond the generic response of "Jesus," what are your muses in your life (for lack of a better word)? For example, what are the people, places, or things that trigger a fresh musical idea and ultimately a new song for you?

J Square: My Father, Politicians, Drug Dealers, Prostitutes, Crack Heads, The Rich, Millionaires…I am inspired by life itself. I would look at a documentary and see the Black Widow kill her mate after sexual intercourse and be inspired to write a song using that analogy and tying it with sin. So life itself is my paper and pen!!!

GR: What career goal did you abandon for music?

J Square: Being a Data Entry Clerk, entering repetitive data for the government…boring…lol

GR: What’s the most embarrassing job that you have ever had?

J Square: There is nothing in this entire world as an embarrassing job, once it is legal. I used to sell clothes in the market, clean toilets, work as a (PH) taxi driver, trim the Lawn or as we “Trini” say “Cut Grass”, clean out people’s basements. I did a million and one odd jobs and not one of them was embarrassing cause at the end of the day I had money to record music. So who laughed at me was of no concern.

GR: Name one thing that fans do not know about you.

J Square: I hate wearing Sun Glasses…lol….I believe I look too much like a super star and to besides I like looking at people fix in their eyes.

GR: Name something personal that gives you great satisfaction.

J Square: My Guitar

GR: What has been your lowest moment so far in life?

J Square: Wanting to kill myself because I felt I was different. I looked different, I acted different to my peers, I spoke differently and I wanted to be like everybody else. I wanted to fit in. Thank God those days are over and I have embraced the fact that I would never be “normal”, I can live with that.

GR: What has been your highest moment?

J Square: Meeting my empress!!!! Before Music is her and Before her is Christ. I an I move under that order.

GR: What is your philosophy of stage ministry? Is there any one message that you always want to leave with your audience?

J Square: I rather Stage than Studio any day, anytime, anyhow. Too much ARTISTS have never touched a stage but their songs “blazing” all over the radio and they believe they are successful. The real ministry occurs when you come off that stage and interact with the people. When I am on stage I want to leave people with the message that their dreams may well be dependant on another person’s success so they should “push” each person in their lives to do better and to always be real. I dislike “Fake” people.

GR: Can you name three things that you wish you knew when you first got started doing music?

J Square:
(1) Read carefully every contract before signing. Get a Lawyer if possible. I got burnt with this one.
(2) Never depend on a Radio Personnel to push your music. You are your best A&R Rep!!!
(3) Ignore people who have no knowledge about music production, mixing and mastering, are tone deaf, but they are always first to critic your tracks.


GR: What are the three things you enjoy most about touring? And least?

J Square: Most enjoy Meeting New People. Least enjoy transit through countries. Completing all the forms and coming off the plane to run to the other side of the airport to get the other plane, and to go through the same process over again.

GR: What is the best audience that you have ever played in front of?

J Square: My Ghetto aka Hood aka Garrison in “Backa-Yard” Penal, Trinidad. January 1st 1:30AM 2009. They call the place Holly Wood…and I have my Star…lol….they really showed me love, and even though it was a secular blocko (block-O :- where you block off the street and hold a dance) I was able to leave a strong message in my community and was able to pray over Penal.

GR: What country would you tour (even if you didn’t get paid to perform)?

J Square: The mother Land, Africa!!!!

GR: What goes through your mind before you go onstage at the average show?

J Square: Who am I going to influence today

GR: Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road??

J Square: On the road!!! On the road!!! On the road!!! I firmly believe an an ARTIST should be on the road first and let the people decide if he good enough to record anything in the studio, instead of industry executives monopolizing the market, but that’s another talk by itself. The Big Four (4) big up unu self!!!

GR: If you could whisper in the ears of youths aspiring to start a music ministry like yours, what would you say?

J Square: God First!!!!! Music After!!!

GR: Why do you do music? What is your primary goal?

J Square: I don’t do music for Radio Airplay. Hence the reason why many of my songs are not played…lol…but I do music to make you think…music to jolt you into living a righteous and real life. Music that is Real!!!!

GR: Are you working on any future projects/releases that we should look out for?

J Square: Working on my Album with my label Dunamus Soundz Records. Working on my SquareVD with concert footages and my videos.

GR: Could you please give a message to the reggae fans that are reading this and would like to know more about your faith and who Jesus is to you?

J Square: My music is just a drop in the bucket as to who I am as a person. To all my reggae fans who I call Square Roots, Jesus Christ lives within me and he should be in you too. The Square Root of Christ should be you. Meaning if you are truly created in the image and likeness of God, then when we fellowship with one another, when I meet with you, when we are multiplied together its only Christ that should be seen. J Square x You = Christ

Ministry

"People come before things and activities." – J Square

Meditate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWGDQ0D1bI8
Pressing On: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci0jXenmlRU

Discography

Mission Epistle: Stand Up
Various Artists: Unity Riddim Sessions Vol. II
Various Artists: The Archangel Riddim

		J Square One More Chance				J Square Higher Ground

Concerts

There are currently no upcoming events listed.

Contact / Booking:

Booking-Trinidad (Adanna Grant Mc Millian) 1(868)721-4081 or Bahamas (Dunamus Soundz Records) 1(242)328-5729
Artist direct contact:
Home: 1(868) 652-0481
Cell: 1(868) 786-4659

Official EMail:

jsquare@dunamussoundz.com

Official Website:

http://www.myspace.com/jsquarez

Photos