''Gospel reggae is what I was called and appointed to do'' Says Suz-Eye, Kenyan Gospel Reggae Artist in a chat with El Levite

El Levite engaged a budding Kenyan gospel reggae artist based in Nairobi in a satisfying interview. Enjoy!!!

El: I welcome you to El Levite’s Blogs, a Nigeria based blog that celebrates gospel music ministers.

Suz: Thank you very much glad to be here.

El: Who is Suz – Eye?

Suz: Suz-eye is a child of God, saved by amazing Grace and a representation and representative of Him. A gospel minister of God’s word through music sent to nations to speak this message a message of salvation, love and Hope.

El: How was growing up like?

Suz: Wow growing up was awesome. Was brought up in a humble Christian Home we are a large family and with very amazing diverse siblings. My parents are devoted Christians and I got to know about the good news of Jesus at a young age and am always grateful cause it kept me on the right path and even when times I went off I found a way of coming back to the right path. We dint have much but we never lacked what we needed to see us through the day and always seeing another day was a blessing especially with my kind of creative family. I did my studies in Nairobi so would always be close to my family and even times when I would go astray and join wrong crowd i would get my discipline on time hahaha.

El: When and how did you start doing music?

Suz: I started music while in primary school i was part of the school choir that would compete during music festivals, later on when I joined high school i would sing any opportunity I would get. It was while in high school that me and a couple of my classmates formed a music group, we would sing songs with my classmates but we never got the opportunity to ever record. It’s after high school that I was called upon to be a background vocalist to an artiste song by a producer and that's where my music journey as a recording artiste started. It was after doing the back up things that the passion in me for music was ignited and the thirst was evident and desire to write and record my own songs from my heart. I had always loved reggae music it was the music I first listened to and it drew me in and brought out that which was hidden deep inside and from that day I have not looked back.

El: Why did you choose to do gospel reggae?

Suz: Gospel reggae is what I was called and appointed to do, it’s my assignment I dint choose it myself God did and His cry for His children who are lost that I should take the message of Christ to the people to those who are lost out of the believe of a man made religion but to tell them more about a relationship with the true King and not one created by illusion of man.

El: How is gospel reggae doing in Kenya?

Suz: The gospel reggae scene is growing day by day and getting more people support. We having more artiste embrace and more new talent within the genre coming up a sign that the growth is evident and the music is being accepted. We also have been having a number of known gospel reggae artiste visit more and more for shows and this is a sign that it indeed their people who love it, believe and support it.

El: What influences the messages in your songs?

Suz: First word of God influences the messages in my song as led by the spirit. Secondly also what is happening around my society, people’s lives my life experiences ends up having me penning it down which ends up into a song

El: What's your new album ‘Journey’ all about?

Suz: Wow Journey is an album that talks about my walk with God which is a continual process showing just by a glimpse things encountered along the way, things seen, what has been done. Journey speaks of what it has been for me from the day i got born again till where i am today and understanding who I am

El: Your video ‘Tru Soldier’ is awesome, tell us about it.

Suz: Tru Soldier, it comes from Isaiah 61:1 that says the spirit of God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek, bind up the broken heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, set the bound free. So am a soldier in His army doing so because that is what I have been anointed and appointed to do

El: What's unique about your music?

Suz: Its music that speaks Love Peace truth and does not sugar coat music that expresses the good news of Jesus as it is.

So far, how would you describe your musical journey?

My musical journey has been great it has shaped my character and also taught me a lot through the different people and cultures I have met. Through music i have seen God do amazing things in people’s lives just from what I have sung and has built both my faith and hope more

El: What are the challenges you've encountered in the course of doing music in Kenya?

Suz: The challenges grow as u grow and are different as u mature musically, but major financial getting the money to record, also getting a good studio to record that understands the genre well. Their also people who stereotype you for the kind of music you do and label you a certain character because of that kind of genre.

El: Who do you look up to in the industry?

Suz: Shelly thunder, Papa San and Lieutenant Stitchie their musical and personal journey are inspiring

El: Which reggae artiste do you look forward to working with?

Suz: I have a number of reggae artiste I would love to work with doesn't matter if known or not known but what for me matter is the purpose and the mission as we work together

El: Where do you see yourself musically five years from now?

Suz: Well five years from now I see having my own sound system taking gospel to the streets, TV and radio uncompromised Gospel and more so teaching new talent or any talent in music on its importance and also their importance as the holder of the God given gift and its responsibility

El: It’s nice meeting you Suz.

Suz: Am glad thank you for giving me the opportunity and time. Always a blessing.

El: Thank you for giving us your time.