Official Bio

Tony Ollivierra was born in Detroit Michigan in 1971. Coming from a strong Christian background, (both of his grandfathers were Deacons), it’s ironic that Tony did not get saved until his early thirties. Great tribulations ultimately brought him to the Lord. Now that he is in an intimate relationship with Christ, he believes that every moment of his life should be lived for the Lord. He desires everything that he does to be in service of the true living God.

Tony was like a green banana when he began his DJ career at the tender age of 14. At that time he was living in New Jersey. He felt inspired by the radio mix shows of DJ Red Alert, one of New York hip-hops finest. In high school, he honed his technique DJing for his stepfather’s fraternity gatherings. In 1989 he attended Eastern Michigan University and obtained a DJ residency at Ann Arbor's Nectarine Ballroom. It was during this time that he discovered dancehall reggae and began fusing Jamaican sounds into his hip hop and house music format. After graduating, Tony began a DJ night at "The Shelter" in Detroit, where he remained for seven years as the main resident. During this time he was also working on producing.

In 1996, Tony was signed to Intangible records and Soundworks, a Detroit based label owned by veteran DJ and Christian minister Terrence Parker. He recorded a few 12-inch singles in the house and hip-hop genres, and had some tracks licensed to a German label, K7 records. In 2001, Tony was signed to Planet E communications owned by world renown DJ and producer Carl Craig. He released two singles and traveled to Tokyo and to London to DJ. It was around this time that Tony found himself in need of spiritual help, and looked to Christ for deliverance.

"My life has been renewed," Said Tony, "I spend every waking moment in true amazement at the power, mercy and grace of the One who sits on the right hand of the Father. Jesus has forgiven me, saved me, is keeping me in my ways, and has given his angels charge over me. Because of who He is, like no other, I have devoted the rest of my life to Him and to spreading His word and what He did and why on Calvary."

Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com

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

TO: I was born in Detroit Mi. and grew up in that area, spent one and a half years in New Jersey. My family is of mixed descent, my father's father was a Deacon from Trinidad, my mothers family from North Carolina and of black, white and indigenous American origins.

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

TO: I have had many DJ names but I decided to go with a name for the ministry itself, because it's not about me this round, the name just came to me. However I just found out that there is a Precious Blood church in Detroit, and a school called Precious Blood.

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?

TO: I was so excited to use my talents for God that I was hasty in expanding my music collection, and wound up doing cd mixes that included secular reggae, not completely realizing the contradictions thereof. I have used this experience to recognize the importance of the difference in DJing for myself and other people, and DJing for Jesus. If I play any secular music, I have to be conscious of what the lyrics promote, and even what kind of atmosphere the music itself creates. Now I am extra careful to watch what I do and have expanded into other forms of Christian music, so that I know that at least what I play is made for the purpose of Christ. I may not be perfect but I try to be responsible and my heart is ever seeking alignment. I know that all things work together for good to those that love him.

GR: I know that you spin a whole lot of gospel reggae, so what is your favorite track in your current collection? If you spent 5 minutes with an avid reggae fan and only had enough time to play them one song, which one would you play them?

TO: This is tough because I am constantly finding so much good reggae that I am not even fully acqainted with all of the songs yet. But I will choose "Excellent" by The Blood Brothers, because it's an accapella with hand claps and it just exemplifies praise to his excellence in it's most simplified form.

1GR: Read any good books lately?

TO: Proverbs every morning.

1GR: What Bible character do you most identify yourself with?

TO: Without question David. We have a lot in common.

1GR: 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 a watered down, or ambiguous message?

TO: Coming from Detroit, the first artist that comes to mind is my friend Marshall. Most people don't know that he is a Christian, and on his first album "Infinite", he speaks about how Christ is his salvation. That's a far cry from what he was doing now with Dr. Dre. All I can say is hey Em, you can't take it with you brother.

1GR: What is your philosophy of stage ministry? Is there any one message that you always want to leave with your audience?

TO: I want to rid people of this idea that Jesus and Christian principles are not "cool". After all, what's not cool about liberty? What's not cool about being able to express yourself with blessed assurance that God is with you? What's not cool about being a part of the tribe of the most high Go--One who is everywhere at every time? Too many people have a concept of freedom meaning free to do whatever you want, drink as much as you want, fool around with whoever you want, no matter who it hurts. But that is not freedom that is just lawlessness. I want to do this without coming off judgmental, but I have already seen that some people retaliate calling me a punisher when they are punishing themselves and others.

1GR: Can you name three things that you wish you knew when you first got started doing music?

TO: The father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

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

TO: Think about God's purpose in everything first. Seek his wisdom through humility and obedience to his word and he will set you on a right path onward to success.

2GR: Why do you do music? What is your primary goal?

TO: I do music because I realize that is a powerful tool in promoting or advertising. Think what a commercial would be without music, or a movie or documentary. Now think what wickedness is being enacted with music all over the world. I want to take this same tool and use it for what is good and right in His eyes.

Ministry

"My mission is to honor God first. I will always seek to serve Him in everything that I do, from the food I eat to the clothes that I wear and the music that I play. Because of the miraculous way God has delivered me from condemnation, I will use everything in my power, including my talents, including DJing and producing, to see His will done and His word spread. I am nowhere near perfect, but I keep my heart aligned with good intentions, and therefore I step out on faith, hoping that Christ will see my ministry through.--Tony Ollivierra

Discography

These are from Tony's pre-saved days and most are not currently in print, but you may find them in mom and pop shops or on the net:

DJ Slym Fas Intangible records- "The hula hoop dance"
DJ Slym Fas Intangible records-"Love Music"
DJ Slym Fas Intangible records- "Let's take it back to the beat"
Ibex Planet E communications- "Bok Choy"
Ibex Planet E communications- "Macamba"

Concerts

There are currently no upcoming events listed.

Contact / Booking:

Antonio Ollivierra
(202) 247-0293
ramonoll@comcast.net

Judy M. Shelton
(313) 506-5292
Judymshelton@yahoo.com

Official EMail:

ramonoll@comcast.net

Photos