Artist Name: Prodigal Son
Birth Name: Calvin Curtis Whilby
Birth Place and Date: St. Catherine, Jamaica, W.I., June 2, 1976
Official Bio
Calvin Curtis Whilby a.k.a. Prodigal Son was born in St. Catherine, Jamaica, in 1976. He was raised by his grandmother, a Godly woman who made sure he grew up in the Christian church. Accepting Christ at age five (5) he followed the Lord until the age of thirteen (13), unfortunately his grandmother died. This was the turning point for Calvin who moved to Kingston and found residence in the cold suburb of the community called Rema, one of the toughest innercities in the Caribbean. Calvin rebelled from his Christian upbringing and against God choosing the lifestyle of Gang and gun violence.
Surrounded by negative influences, this rebellious ghetto teenager found protection and family in his gang, called Fatherless Crew the same would later be called Lock the City Crew. He gave up his guns and girls and accepted Christ. Similar to the parable of the Prodigal Son, Calvin returned home to his spiritual Father, what was once lost had now been found. As he humbled himself before the Father and asked for forgiveness, he surrendered all to Jesus. Like any love story, the Prodigal Son got baptized on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 1998 and has never looked back. Inspired by the parallels in his life, he copped the name Prodigal Son and although he had no previous secular experience in music, he soon realized he was blessed with a gift he decided to use it for the glory of God. He was introduced to fame producer Danny Brownie who soon became both mentor and friend Brownie guided Prodigal through his musical career and continues to his ministry partner.
Prodigal has performed at sold out venues spanning crowds as huge as 150,000, at events such as Antiguan Governmental Celebrations (Caribbean), International Reggae Festival of Life (Chicago, USA) Fun in the Sun, Recharge, and Sting (Jamaica), France World Cup Qualifier Match (Jamaica vs. Mexico) Air Jamaica sponsored UK Tour, Israel & New Breed Tour (Jacksonville, USA) and many other International events, he has shared stages with renowned Gospel Artistes, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Wynans, Jackie McCullough, Tobi Mac, Mary Mary, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Martha Munizzi, Kirk Franklyn, Yolanda Adams and mainstream artistes such as: Shaggy, Junior Gong, Beenie Man, Bounti Killa, Destiny’s Child, Jermaine Jackson, Maxi Priest, Regina Belle, Calypso Rose, Barrington Levy, Luciano, Jimmy Cliff and more.
Prodigal Son has gained the respect of both fans & critics and is one of the only Jamaican gospel Artiste who is appreciated in both the Christian arena and mainstream/secular and as such was the only Gospel Artiste that appeared on the 2006 BMobile ‘No Violence’ school tour in Jamaica, he has subsequently, received several mainstream awards including: Jamaica Federation of Musicians, best new gospel artiste for 2001, the Xnews award, artist of the year 2001, Jamaica Federation of Musicians best male gospel vocalist 2002 and Irie FM’s Gospel Artiste of the year (‘06), other accolades are Marlin Awards for Outstanding Reggae Recording of the year and Outstanding DJ Vocal Performance of the year for the year 2003,Marlin award for Best Dancehall Recording for 2004, U.S. Urban Gospel Award, best Producer 2005, Urban Gospel Award best Caribbean Artiste, Canadian Maja Award album of the year 2006, he has copped and maintain numerous number one (1) spots on charts like UK’s United by 1, Love 101 FM Jamaica, Flow FM Canada, Mystic 98, Fort Lauderdale, Florida and UK’s Soulcare. Prodigal was interviewed and featured on the US network CBS on the 700 club programme ‘Turning Point’ where he shared his life changing testimony, to date he is the first gospel artiste to be interviewed by WLIB radio station in New York.
His debut album Radikal Prodigal produced by Danny Brownie featured crossover hits I Wish, Woe and Radikal Style, all three songs were the first dancehall gospel songs to be played on mainstream radio in Jamaica such as RJR, Irie FM and Hot 102. His second album Still Standing which was self-produced was voted best gospel album of 2005 by Love 101 and track #10, Journey voted song of the year, a second song Track # 5 Still Standing is nominated by the International Reggae & World Music Award as best gospel song. His newest singles, ‘Unite’ featuring Wayne Marshall and Gully People Cry’ are already creating major waves Gully People debut at #5 on CVM TV’s hitlist and both receive heavy rotation on radio disc jockey, Richie B’s Hot 102 programme also on Big A, DJ Sunshine and Ron Muschettes programmes on Irie FM . Prodigal has been voted best dressed artiste by Buzz Magazine and is the first and only Gospel artiste to sign on as the new face of B Mobile church chat campaign.
Prodigal Son is an ordained Pastor, Producer, Mentor, Entrepreneur, and Gospel Artiste. Every year he host a FREE one day youth festival called Recharge to give back to the Jamaican people, he also supports several charities islandwide, he is involved in Prison Ministry. Prodigal has worked on several projects such as Danny Brownie’s YOW series, Christafari’s compilation series, Chevelle Franlyn’s Joy, Junior Tucker’s Rapture, Carlene Davis, among others, He has released three (3) albums to date RADIKAL PRODIGAL, RECHARGE and STILL STANDING on his label Radikal Records his fourth album which features work with International artistes, Micah Stampley and Junior Tucker is highly anticipated. Married to his wife Joan for seven (7) years the couple has three (3) children, they are the founders & Presidents of Radikal Communications an Entertainment Promotion & Artiste Management Company which comprise Radikal Records.
Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com
GR: Tell us about yourself, where were you born and grow up, what your family is like, etc...
Prodigal: My name is Calvin Curtis Whilby, I was born in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on June 2, 1976. My family is large and is located in Jamaica, USA and England. My current family consist of my wife Joan, children Regina, Gabrielle and Calvin (Jr.).
GR: How did you begin doing music?
Prodigal: I started writing songs after I got saved one day a friend saw them and thought they were poems and suggested that I sing them after she found out they were songs, I was introduced to a producer and the rest is history.
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?
Prodigal: “Real Life”, from Still Standing.
GR: What were the last 5 CDs that you put in your disc changer?
Prodigal: Still Standing, Hero, YOW 3, Leaning (Sherwin) and Donnie Mcklurkin.
GR. What is the wickedest riddim that you never rode upon?
Prodigal: Diwali
GR: Read any good books lately?
Prodigal: Purpose Driven Life.
GR: What's your favorite verse in the Bible and why?
Prodigal: There is no name given to men under heaven whereby men can be saved except the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:12)
GR: What Bible character do you most identify yourself with?
Prodigal: The Prodigal Son--Of course!
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?
Prodigal: My children.
GR: What country would you tour (even if you didn't get paid to perfom)?
Prodigal: Anywhere in the continent of Africa.
GR: Are you working on any future projects/releases that we should look out for?
Prodigal: Yes, two new albums for early 2K7, one reggae and one dancehall.
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?
Prodigal: First of all blessed love and a big God bless to everyone reading this, I do hope if you are not saved you'll get to know Christ real soon. Continue to support gospel reggae it is a wonderful medium of spreading the gospel. Never give up on your goals and endeavor in life because with God all things are possible. Love ya'll.
Ministry
"Reaching across boundaries with the gospel of Jesus Christ"--Prodigal Son
Discography
Prodigal Son, Radikal Prodigal
Bless (a.k.a. Prodigal Son), Still Standing
Christafari and Friends, Dancehall Baptism 1
Various Artists, Dancehall Baptism 2
Various Artists, YOW! - Street Gospel Chapter 1
Various Artists, YOW! - Street Gospel Chapter 2
Various Artists, YOW 3 - Reggae Street Gospel Chapter 3
Various Artists, YOW 4 - Reggae Street Gospel Chapter 4
Various Artists, KatsJam Roots Gospel Vol. 1
Various Artists, Prodigal Presents Recharge
Righteous Corner Production, I'm Free
Various Artists, Scroll V2
Jah Pickney, Ghetto Redemption
Landlord, We Need Peace
Junior Tucker, Ready for the Rapture
Chevelle Franklyn, Joy
Concerts
There are currently no upcoming events listed.
Contact / Booking:
Contact: Radikal Communications
P.O. 1532
Kingston 8, Jamaica West Indies
Tel: (876)969.0369
Cell: (876)309.3720
radikalcommunications@yahoo.com
http://www.myspace.com/radikalcommunications
Official EMail:
radikalcommunications@yahoo.com
Official Website:
http://www.radikalprodigal.com
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