In Ghana, dancehall music is a big deal, and
Ghanaian dancehall artistes; Samini, Stoneboy and self-acclaimed dancehall king
Shatta Wale are forces to reckon with.
However, a new kid on the block, ‘Holy Ghost’ inspired
Ghana gospel dancehall king, Zickman is set to change Ghana dancehall terrain
by singing religious lyrics that counters social vices motivating lyrics
synonymous with circular dancehall artiste in Ghana.
Born Isaac Mintah, but now known by the stage name
Zickman, meaning Zealous in Christ Kingdom Man, the Artist describe his journey
into dancehall gospel-which started professionally in 2018, as a call to preach
the gospel to lost souls especially the youth.
Asked why he preferred the Dancehall genre to
deliver his Gospel music, he said,
“I chose Gospel dancehall because I love dancehall
music. When I was not born again I used to do a lot of dancehall songs. When I
got born again, I thought that was the end to my love of dancehall because I
didn’t see any one doing dancehall gospel. But recently, I encounter a friend, not
in Ghana but in Jamaica. He is doing dancehall gospel. So that inspired me to
sink into dancehall gospel.”
Responding to why he is focused on the youths, the
gospel Artist said, “When you look at the youths, a lot of them listen to
secular dancehall which of course motivates them to do hardcore things. Because
of this, souls are perishing. So I decided to use the same medium of dancehall
to save the lives of these youths.”
Talking about saving the souls of the lost youth,
Zickman says, he plans to take his musical crusade to streets, ghettos and even
night clubs where the youths can be found in their numbers.
Asked what challenges he has faced so far as a reggae
dancehall gospel musician, Zickman said “There hasn’t been any major challenge,
but the one I have seen is, friends trying to persuade me to switch to secular
dancehall. But then I am not doing it for fame or money but for the Lord.”
Talking about what’s missing in the Ghanaian gospel
music industry, he said “What is missing is support. Sometimes my heart bleeds
for the Gospel music industry because people come up and they have the gift of
God and they want to use it genuinely to push God’s work. But before you know
it, DJ’s would be asking them for ‘payola’ and when they start giving these
monies to DJs, it gives them different approach to their gift. Soon, they too
would start focusing their attention on money. So that’s how come we do not see
songs talking about God’s salvation and gift anymore. And if you try to have
one of them in your show, the money they will hit you with, you will run away.”
Addressing issues regarding changes he hopes to bring
into the industry, the gospel crooner said. “My coming into the industry is to
change the rhythm and also, to help facilitate more international
collaborations between Ghanaian gospel artiste and those in other countries.
In addition, the gospel reggae dancehall king said, “I
will also be doing plenty of street performances. You know we have a lot of
youths abusing drugs in Ghana, so we want to be on the street 24-7, giving them
dancehall gospel which we hope will help them drop some of these vices which
they picked up by listening to circular dancehall and other music with negative
vibes. So Zickman is coming to phase this old behavior out and bring a more
positive one.”
Asked if he is the best gospel dancehall artiste in
Ghana, Zickman said “I am not the best, but I am the only dancehall gospel
artiste in Ghana. I would even say in
Africa, so what does that makes me? But it is for the Lord.”
Also talking about the dancehall artiste he would
want to collaborate with, he said’ “The problem is some artiste want you to pay
them for collaboration, but am not doing music for money so if such
collaboration is for free, we would do it but if we are expected to pay, then
I won’t do it. Nevertheless, locally, I
will do a collabo with any one God touches his or her mind to do something free
for the kingdom. But internationally I
would love to do a collabo with DJ Nicolas. I love the style of DJ Nicolas and
moreover the way he was saved and how he subsequently went into dancehall
gospel motivated me to go into dancehall gospel.”
Speaking on what he is working on currently, the
gospel musician said, “We are working on a lot of projects, for example we have
a project we named Jesus Rocks. What we do is to go to places set up a stage
and call out people to come showcase their talent for God especially dancehall
gospel. We also do charity works. We also have a lot of songs coming.”
What should your fans expect from you we asked? “Expect
a lot, like dancehall on different rhythm, different from the usual
instrumentation. This is to make you happy in the Lord.”
Zickman is also the director of IM Technologies
which is into electronic security systems. He is equally a family man married
to a wife who is a beauty therapist and has kids who are already showing
serious singing potentials. He is an evangelist and he worship at the Light
House International church where he and his wife sing in the choir.
Watch his video on the link below
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