ON Friday, Stitchie will suit up for his headline appearance at ‘3 In 1’, a show scheduled for Cookies Sports Bar and Restaurant in Portmore.
It is the the veteran toaster’s latest secular gig. He says fans can expect a mix of gospel and the dancehall songs that made him a star in the 1980’s and 1990’s before his conversion to Christianity.
“If I am the light of the world, wherever God sends me I will go,” Stitchie told the Jamaica Observer.
In recent times, he has performed on several non-gospel shows, including the 2015 Rebel Salute, where he did a number of his dancehall songs to the delight of a full house.
He said his current set is a blend of inspirational material and dancehall songs, like Wear Yuh Size and Night And Day, which finds favor with fans as far away as Scandinavia where he retains a loyal following.
Come Saturday, he has top billing at Cookies, which is located in the heart of ‘Back Road’, a notorious Red-Light district lined with ‘hotels’ and go-go clubs. Backing him will be the Kingz Fi Dem Band, led by Howard ‘Stretch’ Dalhouse, former guitarist with the Riddim Kings Band that worked with Stitchie in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He sees nothing wrong with incorporating his secular songs in his set.
“It represents who I am and tells where I’m coming from. It’s a testimony to where I am now,” he said.
The hilarious Wear Yuh Size announced Lieutenant Stitchie (as he was known then) in 1986. It was followed by a string of hit songs, including Natty Dread and Great Ambition, which earned him a contract with Atlantic Records.
He did three albums with that major label, the last being 1993’s Rude Boy. In 1997, he declared his conversion to Christianity and has since released a number of well-received gospel albums and songs.
His latest effort is Salt And Light, which includes the songs War Path and Letter To God, as well as collaborations with dancehall acts Agent Sasco, Richie Spice and Fantan Mojah.
According to Stitchie, much of his time is spent ministering to lost souls, touring, and distributing his diverse catalogue throughout the world.
“The fans love the music yuh nuh. The dancehall stuff always have a crowd, but gospel really put mi on a whole different platform,” he said.
Singer Rick Anthony, deejays Peter Metro and Lieutenant Brooksie, singer Alicia Flemings and Anthony will also perform at 3 In 1.
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