Gospel Spotlight: ‘Things Already Better’ - DJ Nicholas strives to strike the right note

Striking a balance and finding the right note for all demographics is a challenge for many artistes, secular or gospel. Gospel artistes, in particular, have a burning desire to create content that resonates with the young and the old. But in today’s industry, this is easier said than done.

In this week’s gospel spotlight, DJ Nicholas shares some of the difficulties he has experienced in the entertainment industry with his ministry.

“My approach to ministry is a little unorthodox, and so in terms of ministering and how much it resonates with people, it depends on who is listening. In reality, the majority of those who listen to gospel are very traditional. I have been trying my best to change that for years, but it is what it is,” he said.

“I think the younger generation appreciates more dynamics when it comes to ministry. The older generation, a lot of them grew up in an era where ska and rocksteady and the Kumina kind of sound was gospel music, and a lot of them still can’t pass there. And even if they pass there, it has to be singing. The deejaying is a no-no.”

The Things Already Better artiste said that deejaying in gospel music is still frowned upon by the older generation.

“I wouldn’t say most of the times it isn’t that they don’t understand what I’m saying because most times, the songs are straightforward. But a song like Things Already Better or Holy Ghost Church will be appreciated,” Nicholas said.

“... But when I go to the hardcore deejaying, like on Cut It Off or Mathematics, the younger people will appreciate it more.”

DJ Nicholas said that he gets mixed reactions whenever he does social commentary-type songs.

“Songs like Bible Addict, a lot of people will appreciate that because it is motivating them to read the Bible, but a song like Shotta Man will get mixed feelings. When I did it ( Shotta Man), I did it with the intention of hitting out against murdering, and a lot of the young people understood that, but a lot of the older folks, or the more traditional generation, didn’t because it didn’t sound like the regular gospel to them,” the gospel artiste said.

The deejay told THE WEEKEND STAR that his music is doing well at home and overseas.

“There is one song that I did with Todd Dulaney called You Make Me Wanna that’s doing really well because it’s playing in the mainstream media. Caribbean artistes don’t really get played in mainstream international media, so as simple as it sounds, that was a major accomplishment,” he said.

The entertainer also recently landed another collaboration that could see him making even more inroads in the United States market. He teamed up with American urban contemporary gospel act Anthony Brown and group therApy on the song All Night, All Day. The song will be included on Brown’s fourth studio album, Second Wind, set to be released later this year.