Interview with Papa San
March 2006, BlackGospel.com (By Kathy Grant-Mahon)

From Spanish Town, Jamaica to Fort Lauderdale, Florida; from Rastafarianism to Christianity; from Secular Dancehall to Gospel celebration.  From humble Bible studies in the living room to the limelight of the world stage.  And from a 15-year mainstream career to new life in Christ.  There are many contrasts, which illuminate the life of Tyrone Thompson – aka Papa San. Already a pioneer of the form and long positioned as one of the top Dancehall deejays of all-time in his home country of Jamaica, he was regarded as  one of the fastest spit-fire chatters in the world.  He gained popularity in the 80’s by topping Jamaican charts with such hits like “Hippity Hippity Hop”, “Strange”, “Maddy Maddy Cry” and “Pray Fi Dem” and later became the first Dancehall artist to have a number one single on Billboard Dance Chart with his song “The Programme”…yet still his accomplishments did not satisfy.

His controversial and startling salvation from a life of sin in 1997 literally turned his outlook around 180 degrees.  He first emerged on the Rev. Jackie McCullough’s 1999 debut recording This is For You Lord (GospoCentric) chatting on “Stay Connected”.  Shortly thereafter, his debut Gospel release on B-Rite Music was set loose to the public and received high industry acclaim.  Characterized by bold Christian lyrics set to powerful reggae rhythms, it became one of the best selling Christian albums on the market.  Papa San returned to the universe’s gospel consciousness when he joined labelmate Kirk Franklin on the song “He Reigns” from Kirk’s platinum-selling The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin (GospoCentric).  Papa has become a gospel heavy-hitter, recently sharing the stages with Mary Mary, Trin-i-tee-5:7, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker and BeBe &  CeCe Winans.  Regardless of the apparent success, he remains commendably faithful to ‘home’ and continues to minister among his community. 

While reggae music was spread internationally by the likes of Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff, its sibling, "dancehall," has been spread worldwide by such names as Grammy-winner Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man, Stitchie, Chevelle Franklyn and of course Papa San. This style of music, long known for its lewd lyrics and questionable illustrations, has taken a turn for the better with seven of the most popular artists recently becoming born again Christians (Papa San, Stichie, Chevelle Franklyn, Goddy Goddy, Ziggy Soul and others). They are returning to their communities and communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the wayward youth. Papa San also continues to minister to his artist-friends (Shabba Ranks appeared on Papa’s first B-Rite release, spurred on by the transformation he witnessed in Papa San’s own life). 

Surely, there are many expressions from our vocabulary which could describe him.  Perhaps the most befitting is “Marathon Man”, for his perseverance and tenacity.  Many declared him a fake that would surely throw in his Christian towel and return to his former life.  But he is powerful and tenacious.  Papa granted a rare interview to share his thoughts about his homeland, culture, music, his calling and power in Christ.

Kathy Grant Mahon: This whole dancehall thing seems like it has had quite a maturing the last several years.  What's the intrigue with dancehall?  Is it the Jamaican patois that that people enjoy hearing?  What are your thoughts on the rise in popularity of the style?

Papa San: I think it's both; the language and the beat, because both of them go along together.  When you put the two together, you get the real Jamaican rhythm.

KGM: Now, here's a stupid question, but I don't know how to speak patois fast.  How do you not get tongue-tied?

Papa San: It's natural. I mean, it's a God-given gift - I just do it.

KGM: Much of your lyrics I would term as 'cussing lyrics'.  But really, you're telling off Satan, the perfect subject to tell off.  Why do you feel it's necessary to portray this kind of lyric and say the things you do in reference to Satan specifically?

Papa San: Because the Lord has given us power over him.  We have the power to do what the Lord wants us to do.  And we want Satan to know where he stands with us.

KGM: Do you feel that a lot of Christians today talk a lot about power but don't actually exercise it?

Papa San: Yes.  All the time.

KGM:  Perhaps because of how you were brought up, it gives you a very unique opportunity to minister on those points, specifically with regards to the Rastafarian culture.   I sense that you're trying to convey some messages in the songs.  Is it something that God has enabled you to do as part of your ministry?

Papa San: Definitely.  I used to follow the Rastafarian faith.  The more and more I got involved in it, I realized that it was wrong until eventually the Lord pulled me out of that.  He saved me from that.  Just like Bob Marley and all of them changed over to Christianity because they realized that Rastafarian is not a true religion, it's a cult.  I really wanted to pinpoint them because the majority of reggae artists in Jamaica emphasize the Rasta faith.  Fifty percent of Jamaican artists want to wear dreadlocks and act like Rastamen.  But I want to really wake them, let them know it's not real.

KGM: You're not doing it blatantly, though.  But, there are subtle messages in your lyrics that identify who you're speaking to...

Papa San: You know, the gospel goes all over the world.  It's for everyone.  The only reason why I speak on it is because that's where I'm coming from.  Now, I have the privilege and the opportunity to go back to them.  I mean, I don't know much about them, even though I know their faith is wrong.  But, I was a Rasta and I want to go back to them and tell them to let that go.

KGM: So do you often go back to your roots in Spanish Town, where you were brought up?  Do you reconnect with those roots?

Papa San: My father still lives in Spanish Town, so I go visit him.

KGM: What impact has signing with GospoCentric had on your career and also your collaboration with Kirk Franklin?

Papa San: It's had a huge impact.  Gospel music in the Caribbean has not been properly exposed.  I mean, the regular secular artists rise far above in terms of record sales and popularity over gospel artists in the Caribbean.  So the rise of GospoCentric is really important to us because it can open a lot of doors for other artists.  And it helps us explore the world of gospel.

KGM: It's not only had an impact across North America, but in Jamaica and across the Caribbean as well.

Papa San: Yes, definitely.  It's all over the place now.  That's why I'm really happy about that.  GospoCentric really gave us the opportunity to expand.

KGM: There are many in the industry, speaking about pastors, preachers, etc. that feel someone coming out of the world, (such as you did in '97), should first sit, learn and study the Word but not embark immediately on ministry.  How do you feel about that?

Papa San: That's what I did.  When I just got saved, I was never really thinking about music.  I was thinking about getting saved.  Music was the last thing on my mind.  At first, I started a Bible study in my home with my own pastor.  I didn't just go to church on Sundays and Wednesdays, but I had Bible studies on Thursday, because I had to learn the Word of the Lord.  I had to understand who God is and all those things.  We still continue Bible study every Monday.  So, that's very important for every gospel artist.

KGM: There are artists who have had tremendous success in the secular realm who get saved and sing gospel music, like Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child or KRS-1, even your label mate, Woody Rock.  However, they still will go back and sing secular music.  Is that something that you would entertain?

Papa San: I wouldn't do that.  I believe that there is no in between when it comes to God's work.  For me, it has to be only God's work.  So, I wouldn't do that.

KGM: Along similar lines, I think you were well received by your audience.  You were recorded in the Jamaican Observer saying, "We need encouragement from the church as artists".  A lot of church-minded people have their minds set against hardcore reggae gospel without actually having given it a fair chance.  What would you say to those who are not for what you're doing?

Papa San: I knew that there would be opposition and there'd be persecution.  The Bible teaches us that.  Even Christians will not even embrace this kind of song.  But, it teaches to do what the Lord tells you to do and to do it to the best of your ability.  So, I would say to them if you don't understand it, don't diss it.

KGM: What would you say to other well-established mainstream artists who might want to launch a gospel music career, but fear they might lose their existing audience and not be accepted by the church audience?

Papa San: It's not about an audience anymore.  It's about Christ.  I would say to them that Christ gave up everything for them and died for them.  They should do the very same thing for Him.  I put my career in the past - a 15-year career, all the albums, all the songs - everything I put aside just to walk with Christ.  I know nothing in this world that is valuable, more than salvation, than walking with Jesus.

KGM: Papa San, I know you have a tremendous following, particularly from a lot of born-again Caribbean Christians.  But what has been the response, the reactions back in Jamaica who’ve seen you sacrifice your professional music career as a reggae artist, to now proclaim your affiliation and your love for Christ?

Papa San: A lot of lives have been changed.  Many people got saved because of it, seeing Christ living through a person.  They've really, really been impressed by what they have seen.  And then, a lot of people didn't think it would last this long; 'we give him three months', but now it's been eight years.  I think it has created a tremendous impact in our country.  The life of our people has been improved many times, from radio call-ins, from concerts and stuff like that.  A lot of people congratulate me, to see how a radio artist can come up and sing something positive about God, instead of sex and guns and all that type of thing.  I get a lot of positive response from those people.

KGM: No rebuke, particularly from the hard-core Jamaicans?

Papa San: I get rebuke from the Rastafarian community and from ordinary people who say. 'I don't believe in it', 'You a ginal' [fake] and all type of stuff like that.  But, these things will happen.

KGM: And finally, the name Papa San, what is the origin of that name?

Papa San: It comes from my brother; my brother's [nick]-name is Dirt, so they call me San because we're brothers.