Minister TAF: Facing the facts of life with reggae gospel

Juliet Fletcher speaks to Minister Taf about his new reggae gospel album, FACTS

How do you feel about reggae music? Would you agree that it’s one of the most loved forms of Black music – right across the world? I’m ‘young’ enough to remember when church musicians weren’t allowed to play that rhythm and beat – even though it was so close to the ska sound that was used. But here I am interviewing award-winning British-based gospel reggae artist Minister Taf, who is releasing his third album, entitled FACTS. I’m curious to find out what it’s like to be a Christian reggae artist these days, performing what used to be ‘banned riddim and vibes’ in our churches.

JULIET FLETCHER (JF):  I’ve got to start with the obvious background details.
MINISTER TAF (MT): You know, I’m from Trelawny Parish, born in Jamaica.

JF: What? That is my town – well, my parents’! Are we related?
MT: I don’t know, but my mother attends Duanvale New Testament Church of God, Trelawny.

JF: That’s where my family members attended. It’s a small world, so we never know. What was it like growing up in ‘Reggae Land’? Did you experience the resistance of that sound?
MT: I wasn’t involved in music – specifically the music of the church – back in those early days. I am a lot younger than when those struggles existed, lol! But I do know there were major issues. And I would say it’s the group known as The Grace Thrillers who really ‘opened the door’ and broke the mould. They pushed the boundaries and eventually things changed. I grew up on the sounds of Papa San and Lieutenant Stitchie, who I listened to when I wasn’t a committed Christian.

JF: Oh! Can you talk as fast as Papa San?
MT: Ah! No, Stitchie and Papa San are the pioneers of that!

JF: Well, good roots, still. So, how did you come to the UK?
MT: Actually, I met a young lady in Jamaica while she was on holiday from London. We got chatting. Even after she returned, the conversations between us continued. Today, that young lady is my wife, Tanisha. I fell in love with her and came to the UK. We got married in 2016 and we’ve been very happy ever since.

JF: That sounds like another whole FACTual story of itself!
MT: It is! God is good to us. We settled into church life – initially in United Grace Church. I got involved in the choir and that was my real entry into music. The choir began writing their own songs and I was asked for lyrical lines. They went down really well. In the midst of that, the Holy Spirit made it clear to me that this was a direction I should go in. The fruit of that truth has proven itself, with a strong response from my debut album until now. Tanisha and I have been attending Ruach Ministries for some time now.

JF: Your opening track on FACTS is not a song but a prayer said by your mother. Unusual. Why?
MT: My mum has supported me all the way and her prayers for me have been potent. Listen to what she says: “Keep him. Guide him. Anoint him.” She prayed for me and my wife. They are truthful facts: praying to keep me in the faith. She’s thanking God for my deliverance from the life I used to live. She said the only problems she had with me were girls and football. And I’m so glad I chose this path.  I know that’s a FACT!

JF: This is your third album. It seems the main thrust, the main message of FACTS is you’re being very real about life situations.
MT: Yes. My passion is to reach the youths of today, to let them realise God cares about the real issues they face, such as ‘Journey’: ‘Life is a journey, Ghetto youths, mi seh don’t give up.’ Even when your parents can’t buy that designer trainer: ‘Ghetto youths, we nuh need dat, we full a talent.’ And ‘Mi a beg yuh, guh di right way, Ghetto youths, mi a beg yuh, please don’t stray…’ Through confessions in my songs, I make myself vulnerable, to let them know God’s power in my life. He delivered me from pornography. He’ll do the same for them in any and everything that seeks to kill, steal or destroy.

JF: Listening to the tracks, the beats don’t overshadow the lyrics. I feel your focus is on different situations that I know express themselves – even in Jamaica.
MT: You’re speaking of ‘Chop Eh Line’. That track is aimed at scammers, which sadly is very prevalent there and everywhere. I wanted to speak gospel truths to those who have been victims of scams and to the perpetrators of the scams.

JF: When I think about reggae music, when we were young, Marley and all the British reggae artists not only spoke our political and social expressions, but also our youthful experiences and expressions of life. So now, at social events, I hear Christians singing along to Marley’s ‘One Love’ and to Janet Kay’s ‘I’m So Sorry’ – that wide spectrum of feelings we all had in those times. We actually need this, even now, don’t we?
MT: Well, this is what my album FACTS is all about. ‘Party Vibes, ‘Dance Fi Di Lord’and‘Still A Praise Him’ tell you that we have joy – salvation is not boring. We rejoice hard over dancehall and reggaeton riddims. We’re talking TRUTHS. JESUS is the REAL TING!’

JF: Do you believe that all music is redeemable?
MT: I believe so, because music at the end of the day is not bad. It’s the artist behind the music – what they are singing and bringing. It’s how they are using the facts. And then this is what is really capturing the minds of youths and even others: what they’re seeing in their lifestyle. Lifestyle is the bottom line!

JF: How do you feel about the stats and emphasis on social media ratings?
MT: There is a saying among artists – so I’m not claiming it as my original: “It’s not the STATS but the IMPACT.” As long as I’m true to what God has called me to do, I’m staying in my lane. That is what the tracks ‘Naah Compare’, ‘Still Inna Di Game’ and the title track, ‘Facts’, focus on. As long as I am getting messages from listeners ­– like the non-Christian who contacted me recently to say they were in hospital and heard my track on radio. It ministered to them so much that they purchased the album, and they’ve had it on rotation, as they felt a healing. To me, that means everything. It’s not that I don’t want the big stats, but I won’t just give up because they’re not what they could be. Yeah, I get weary at times, but I’m not going to let the lack of ‘fame’ determine what I decide to do, because God is directing me.

FACTS is out now. To book Minister Taf for your next event, email bookministertaf@yahoo.com and visit www.iamministertaf.com for more details.