FLORIDA-BASED GOSPEL SINGJAY/PRODUCER, OCKEINO GRANT, HAS RELEASED HIS JUGGLING RIDDIM ALBUM “SON UP VOL.1!”

There are not many gospel juggling ‘riddims’ on the market, but as a Christian artist who came up in the faith listening to reggae,-driven songs, Ockeino Grant wants to reach contemporary fans with hip sounds.

To help do that, the singjay/producer came up with Son Up Volume 1, a compilation album featuring seven songs by six acts including himself.

“The concept behind Son Up Volume 1 is to create a compilation of songs where various gospel artists can use their musical abilities to paint pictures that would engage listeners from different generations,” Grant explained. “This is the reason why we’ve decided to go with a ’90’s old school style rhythm with a mixture of modern sounds to bridge the gap between generations, while enlightening the listeners in the most down-to-earth way, as to why it is important that we should all follow after Christ.”

The Florida-based Grant has two songs on the album — Through Love and Breakthrough. The latter is a collaboration with Sone G, who also does God Inna Me.

Completing the album are Jodyan Morgan (Repent), Godson Four Corners (Run di Place), DaJourney (Milk And Honey), and Biblical Lyricist (Carry The Bible).

Grant, who is from St. Catherine parish in Jamaica, began recording songs nine years ago. While gospel music has found a young audience through reggae-dancehall acts like Kevin Downswell and Prodigal Son, the juggling riddims that dominate secular music in Jamaica does not have a presence in religious circles.

Ockeino Grant believes compilations like Son Up Volume 1 can be a game-changer.

“There may not be a lot of gospel juggling projects, but we are here to change that.

We believe Christians should be able to enjoy music just as anyone else, but of course within the context of being holy. Dancehall-gospel music can definitely be used to spread the gospel and influence our youth to live a life cemented in God,” he said.