Artist Name: Papa San
Birth Name: Tyrone Thompson
Birth Place and Date: Born on July 1st, In Spanish Town, Jamaica, W.I.
Official Bio
It's often been said that music is the universal language. And, if that's so, no one speaks it better than Papa San. He opens his latest release, the astonishing, compelling, arresting "Real & Personal", with a question that almost teases the listener to try and answer it. "Is it rock? /Is it roll?/Is it reggae?" Papa San asks, as machine-gun volley of percussion, crunching metal guitars and synths pound into play on the sizzling "More Life."
And, of course, the answer is simply, "Yes! All of the above." But the trip has only begun. It would be more accurate to just say it's international, Jamaican, "new-school" Dancehall superstar, Papa San: back, bold, and in your face like never before. With a sound completely his own-and constantly evolving-Papa San stretches Gospel to places only he could take it.
"Dancehall" music is a highly rhythmic and rapped spin on the traditional melodic reggae groove of masters like Bob Marley, and Papa San was pivotal in birthing it on the world music scene some twenty years ago. Today, he still tips his hat to the past, and reveres his forebears-from Marley to Jimmy Cliff, and Toots & the Maytals--but Papa San has long since moved on-even since his last, award-winning smash project, "God and i".
"You can't sit still, " he says. "Sure, this is still Dancehall, but it's new-school. It's some things that are familiar, and some that are brand new. It's what the Lord gives me, and what comes out of my head and my heart. And I let it take me wherever it does. There are no boundaries-to God, or to music."
In 1997, Papa San, a long-established king of Dancehall and World music, had what he describes as a supernatural visitation, and committed his life to Jesus Christ. The content of his songs changed to convey his newfound faith in the Gospel, but the mighty grooves, unforgettable hooks and mile-a-minute words and rhymes continued to soar, pour and roar forth.
You can't have a culmination on a journey that never ends-and make no mistake, after 20 years and almost as many albums, Papa San has not once even slowed down-but Real & Personal is definitely the most dramatic, captivating, and downright thrill-a-minute ride in his long and preeminent career.
Each of the album's 11 new Papa San originals take the listener to a place of its own, and when everything stands out so distinctly, it's impossible to list any one or two stand outs. Still, if you get through just "More Life" alone, and are less than dazzled and devastated, you might want to head for the nearest ER and make sure you've still alive. As Papa San and a pile-driving rhythm section pound home the message of eternal life through Christ, a soulful-even sweet-female vocal ensemble moves in, above, around and through it all with a classic, too-cool and catchy, melodic chorus. Yes, Papa San is back indeed, and kicking it harder than ever for Christ.
At the speed of light, Papa San turns the whole groove around, with the other-worldly beauty of "For You Lord," as his singers float in on a gorgeous cloud of melody, and Papa San answers with a slow, penetrating rap, setting up a dialogue with the singers that continues until the two merge into one, in one of the freshest, most fearless expressions of simple and outright praises to the Almighty imaginable.
Anyone who's ever wondered about the roots of modern-day rap and hip-hop need look no further than the classic Dancehall jam, "Good to Me," as Papa San spins lightening-fast words, bone-crunching rhythm, and constantly recurring flashes of unforgettable melody into a web of worship that is nothing less than transcendent.
Having had his first smash hit while still just a teenager in the mid-'80s, Papa San's phenomenal, ongoing reign on international music charts earned him the nickname "Marathon Man," as it was not uncommon for him to simultaneously hold down several positions in the Top 10 at any given time, as well as two long runs at number one that still no reggae or Dancehall artist to date has surpassed. In 1994 he filled dance floors around the world with "The Programme," which also hit the top of the Billboard dance chart. Smash hits like "I Will Survive," "Legal Rights," "Strange" and "Maddy Maddy Cry," among many others, brought Papa San a huge audience in all the Caribbean Islands and around the world in Japan, Europe, Africa, the U.S. and more throughout the '80s and '90s.
In fact, before giving his life to the Lord and being baptized in the faith in 1997, Papa San was a popular figure in American rap circles, being credited as a pioneer by a host of rap superstars. Later connecting with fans of American hip-hop, Papa San landed numerous videos in heavy rotation on MTV. More recently, he has made guest appearances and shared stages with Gospel titans the likes of Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Trin-t-ee 5:7, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, and BeBe & CeCe Winans.
Raised in Spanish Town, just outside of Jamaica's capital, Kingston, Papa San grew up in an environment where hard work and grinding poverty was the daily norm. But fervent revelry ruled the weekends. Spearheaded by any neighborhood resident with charisma and a potent enough sound system, music, dancing and singing prevailed well into the wee hours of Friday and Saturday nights as the sounds of reggae blasted from P.A.'s loud enough to be heard and felt for many city blocks. Papa San's own father manned such a sound system every week-dubbed "Black Universe"-and his naturally gifted son soaked up the music like the Caribbean sun. The strains of reggae greats like Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and John Holt were interspersed with a wide range of American pop and rock music, from venerable crooner Nat King Cole to disco diva Donna Summer, all adding additional color to young Papa San's musical palette. By the age of only 12, he had already begun performing with artists more than twice his age, cultivating his prodigious gifts with words and music, with acclaim beyond his young imagination only a few years away.
Reared by his grandmother, and being taught the doctrines of the Rastafarian religion, Papa San explains that he never had any teaching or ministering in Christianity or the church. "As a child growing up, I always believed that if I just achieved certain material things that everything would be all right," says Papa San. "As I became older, I had lots of success. I had lots of things, and had tried lots of things, but I never found the satisfaction I had expected. I had given some bad messages in my songs, and I myself at one time had been involved with firearms, and had run-ins with the police. I had two brothers and two sisters, and both my brothers were killed in street violence.
"Life began to take some different turns down roads I had never anticipated. I would have said I had a relationship with the Creator, but I was obviously moving in the wrong direction," he continues. "One day, I opened the Bible and began to read it, and the Holy Spirit started ministering to me, saying in my heart: `You need to get yourself straight. You have to get yourself right.' I wondered if God could really forgive me of my sins over all the years and accept me into His Kingdom. My wife and I went to a church and the pastor told us about Christ. My eyes began to open and I knew that I had to receive Him, regardless of what anyone else thought or said about it."
In what could safely be called the world's first new-school, Dancehall "hymn," Papa San's words punctuate an almost choir-like anthem on "Real & Personal's" "Oh Zion," all under-girded with reverent but relentless rhythm. As the song fades with a lone female voice-sounding both as close and distant as heaven itself-repeating the single line, "There is a place for us," the vision of unity and one-purpose of all God's people that is the heart of Papa San and "Real & Personal" shines brightly, with a clear and holy light.
There is indeed "a place for us," and just like the singular, untouchable sound that Papa San can truly call his own, it goes infinitely farther than any preconceptions or easy definitions could begin to convey, and speaks not to just one genre or culture, but to the very heart of humankind itself.
Yes, Papa San is back, and in a very big way. But then again, he never left, or even took his eye off the prize for a minute. "I want to see souls saved for the Kingdom," he says, "and not just a few, but millions! It's as simple as that. The music is the bait to draw all those who don't know Him, but the message is what will grab them. And once you have found and are holding onto Him, you never want to let go. That's who-and all-I am about."
And that is as real and personal as it gets.
Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com
GR: What is the most valuable lesson that you learned from your Mom or Dad growing up that you still apply today?
Papa San: One of the most valuable lessons that I have learnt from either of my parents that I still apply to my life today was from my father. Watching him while growing up, taught me how imperative my roles are as husband and father and how important family is.
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?
Papa San: The greatest mistake I made in ministry was to be disobedient to the Lord. I will never forget after ministering one night the Lord told me stop and make an altar call but the fans kept asking for more. I went to please the fans and when I was finished, I made an altar call. Not many people were saved. I have learnt to always obey God.
GR: If you could share the stage with any Christian or secular artist in the world (living or dead) who would be?
Papa San: Michael W. Smith
GR: What is your favorite bible verse in the Bible and why?
Papa San: Romans 10:13 "Whosoever call upon the name of the Lord will be saved", and whosoever means anyone.
GR: What Bible character do you most identify yourself with?
Papa San: Paul the Apostle
GR: What do you have to say about (or to) artists that started off in the Christian industry (CBA) doing gospel music and now sing secular (mainstream) with watered down, or ambiguous message?
Papa San: To those artists I would say that you cannot serve God and money. Christ said anyone who puts his hand to plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom. You are to be a light in this dark world.
GR: Name one thing that fans do not know about you.
Papa San: The newest thing in my life is my newborn son who was born January 25 2006.
GR: What is your philosophy of stage ministry? Is there any one message that you always want to leave with your audience?
Papa San: Stage ministry is one of the greatest privileges when called by God to minister the gospel as an ambassador for Christ in the earth and leading people to him. Those who are saved are to support and pray for the ministers and we the ministers will also pray for others in the body of Christ. Also, to those who don't know Christ as Saviour and Lord need him more than their next breath.
GR: What is the best audience that you have ever played in front of?
Papa San: This one question can never be answered by being specific, as I believe I get some of the most wonderful audiences.
GR: Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road?
Papa San: My greatest desire is for souls to be saved and lives to be changed so I'd rather be on the road.
GR: Could you please give a message to the reggae fans that are reading this that would like to know more about your faith and who Jesus is to you?
Papa San: To my fans this the best life I have ever lived since I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I am happy to know I am in His perfect will and nothing can change that.
Ministry
"I am a fisher of men, and music is my bait."--Papa San
Discography
Papa San, Victory, B-Rite, (1999)
Papa San, God & i, Gospo Centric Records, (2003)
Papa San, Real & Personal, Gospo Centric Records, (2006)
Concerts
There are currently no upcoming events listed.
Contact / Booking:
For booking requests please contact:
POSITIVE MUSIC AGENCY
Kevin McIntyre (President)
USA: (512) 535-7642
UK: +44 (0)161-870-6651
BRAZIL: +55 62-3293-4477
Fax (toll-free): +1 866 802 4188
E-mail: Kevin@pmareggae.com
http://www.positivemusicagency.com
Positive Music Agency
1942 259th Place
Lomita, CA, 90717, USA
Official EMail:
kevin@pmareggae.com
Official Website:
http://www.papasanministries.com
|
|
Photos
|
