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Artist Name: Zeelamac

Birth Name: SIMONE MCDONALD

Birth Place and Date: JAMAICA (KINGSTON) SEPT. 6,

Official Bio

Many people are becoming more aware of Zeelamac, a young female gospel artiste, with a powerful voice and the versatility, to cover several genres of music such as Reggae, R&B and Dancehall.

Simone McDonald, popularly known as Zeelamac was born in 1984 in Kingston, Jamaica. Her mission in music started at the age of 5 years old by performing at school functions. She later developed into singing for the church choir services and many social events.

She accepted Jesus as her saviour in 1995. But, like many other teenage Christians, Simone McDonald had struggled to defeat the temptations to party as she was not an ardent Christian in the early years of her walk. As she grew, she became more aware of the plans God had in store for her. She decided to take up the cross and follow Jesus wholeheartedly and become radical in representing him. She testifies, “I was living behind doors just like many other Christians today who are afraid of representing God, but I say to them if you are not for God, it simply means you are against him.”

In 2001, she was encouraged by a fellow gospel artiste called, St. Matthew to go into the recording industry. After contemplating, she finally accepted the challenge and formed herself as Zeelamac. She then released her first mix tape album called “Sonshine.” This led to her performing alongside St. Matthew at her first major concert called “Fun in the Son.” The concert was a blessing to her and inspired her to release another album “Masterpeace” consisting of 14 tracks in 2004. Her single “You and Me,” from the album became very popular and is still loved by many listeners.

She doubted her ability to write her own lyrics, but by spending time in the word of God, she was blessed to work in a way she never understood before. She gives glory to God who has given her a creative mind.

Zeelamac has been led by God to enter many musical competitions to spread the word of God, even with criticism coming from fellow Christians. In August 2005, Zeelamac performed at another internationally known event called “Reggae Sunsplash.” She exclaimed, “This was an opportunity of a lifetime, I am honoured to have been chosen to be a part of such an event to spread the word of God.”

In December 2007, Zeelamac entered the first Dancehall competition and television show called, “Magnum King & Queen of Dancehall.” She qualified out of thousands of people, to represent as one of the top 10 finalists from Kingston. Due to the low amount of votes, she was un-able to proceed. She was then chosen by one of the judges as a “wild card,” to continue her journey.
Zeelamac represented again on national television, to proclaim the word of God, singing the message to the people, who needed to hear it.

Since then, Zeelamac has compiled another mix tape album called “Highly Favoured.” Tracks from this album can be heard on both internet and local radio stations. This album consists of instrumentals used by popular secular artistes. With her mission God has laid before her, the songs will now glorify the Kingdom of God.

Zeelamac, a powerful woman of God, aims to share her own experiences within the music industry, as well as reaching out to the fellow young women, as she is able to relate to what they are facing in today’s society.

Currently you can find Zeelamac working on a major new album, and also apart of the “Bombard High School Tour,” which seeks to spread the gospel in the high schools of Jamaica.

Zeelamac sees herself following the direction of the Lord, to fulfil her assigned tasks here on earth. Her love and dedication for the Lord has grown and continues to grow daily, as her only desire is to please him. Her zeal is a reflection of the name God has given to her, and the drive of persistence, to never be lacking in zeal, but keeping her spiritual fervour in the Lord, and that’s Zeelamac.

We look forward to great things from this zealous woman of God.

Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com

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

Artist: I was born at Andrews Hospital, grew up at Whitehall Avenue in Kingston Jamaica, I was raised by both parents, I grew up with 2 sisters 1 brother, I am the youngest of four children…my father owned a sound system called Smyka Tone and my mother loved to cook and bake, so I had the best of both worlds I never came from a rich family, but I was not suffering, I had everything I needed to survive my parents made sure of that.Education that was important.

2.GR: How did you begin doing music?

Artist: Been singing as long as I know myself, at the end of every Sunday School I would close it off by singing, I was apart of both Young and Adult Choirs, then St. Matthew who introduced me to recording we did 2 songs together and from then on I have not stopped.

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

Artist: Lol, well my middle name was altered a bit so it would have a certain ring to it…and yes Matthew was the one who named me…to tell you the truth I hated that name…. but I was stuck with it, and besides it doesn’t sound so bad

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

Artist: Never be ashamed of where you come from or who you are. I say Jesus all the way and I will tell anyone that anywhere.

5.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?

Artist: Let’s see, I threw in the towel at once, and I will never do that again, if a door closes on me God always has another one open. Whatever I do now, I don’t stop pushing.

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

Artist: Chevelle Franklyn, Yolanda Adams, Mary J. Blige

7.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?

Artist: Who’s gonna be there- (from my second album masterpeace)

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

Artist: Can’t really say, but I love the Rap Soldier Rhythm, created by Dale Virgo

9.GR: Read any good books lately?

Artist: My Bible…right now

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

Artist: Philippians 4v 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. For all the obstacles that stood in my way, God gave me everything I needed to get over it.

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

Artist: Esther- she reminds me of me in this time, good looking God woman, who was raised up for a time as this.

12.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 a watered down, or ambiguous message?

Artist: They just took the wrong turn or got on the wrong bus, they know the right way, but just delaying the time to reach the ultimate destination.

13.GR: What career goal did you abandon for music?

Artist: None really, they just on standby, God 1st…everything else after

14.GR: Name something personal that gives you great satisfaction.

Artist: Someone being truly blessed by the ministry, through a song.

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

Artist: when the Mc of a show, refused to introduce me.

16.GR: What has been your highest moment?

Artist: Winning the competition to perform at Reggae Sunsplash 2006, I was the 1st Gospel artiste to perform on International Night ever.

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

Artist: I am not perfect

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

Artist: You will have more downs than ups when starting…but it gets better. I learn that you have to sow in order to reap

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

Artist: Fellowshipping with other believers, just sharing God through the various cultures. The least not being able to eat on time.

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

Artist: Japan- reggae music is popular there; it would be good to introduce them to some Gospel Reggae.

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

Artist: I hope I don’t trip over my foot lol and I don’t 4 get my lines, and hoping that the ministry will be received.

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

Artist: I love both they work with each other. One builds the track for the road and the other promotes.

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

Artist: Its not a game, and make sure this is Gods will.

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

Artist: Always….just be on the look out.

25.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?

Artist: I been a Christian for many years , but only knew God a few. When we meet someone that we like we spend a lot of time with them and would do anything to see them, being with God is similar to that, If you can have a relationship with God, you can have a relationship with anyone.