Most of us know him as 'Lieutenant Stitchie', one of the fastest rhyming dancehall deejays ever to grace a mic. He made his name in the early 90's with hits like "Dress to Impress." But the Lieutenant has changed his tune and his calling. Now he's a general in God's army and is in Belize this weekend to spread the gospel through music.
Stitchie, Gospel Performer
"I am here to spread the message of the kingdom of God because I'll be having a massive concert that we are using as the medium to spread this message on Saturday."
Alfonso Noble,
Gospel music may not have the appeal that other hip-hop, dancehall, reggae has. What do you tell people to come out and hear the word of the Lord in this manner?
Stitchie, Gospel Performer
"Well I don't know if I would use the word appeal. I would use the world it doesn't have the message that the secular song has and what the people need for transformation and for growth is not appeal, it's a message and what they need to hear is the message of God. That will uplift them and that will empower them. The secular music is not doing that and it is just fun for the moment and after you leave you are back in your sad state and there is no one better one to say it and describe it than me because I have been on both sides of the fence and I am saying that this side of the fence is the better side of the fence."
Alfonso Noble,
Some looking on may say well Stitchie the earthly rewards are far more better than the Godly ones which they may not even know exist.
Stitchie, Gospel Performer
"Well I wouldn't say a position of better, I don't see it as a position to say I am better than anyone else. But I am connected with the creator the Lord Jesus Christ and as a result of the joy and the peace that I am experiencing from him then I cannot keep that to myself. I want to expand it. I want everybody to know about it. I want everybody to experience the joy that I am experiencing."
Stitchie is the featured attraction at the Rebirth of Jesus festival which will also feature a roster of righteous local talent led by the Heavenlies Gospel Band.