Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
Papa San - FILE
IT HAS ONLY been a year since dancehall-artiste-turn gospel-minister Tyrone 'Papa San' Thompson and his family migrated to the United States and despite not hearing much about him locally, a lot has been happening for his ministry.
Papa San, who now resides in Florida, is currently anticipating the release of his third gospel album, Real and Personal. San says this album will be different from his previous releases.
"This album is well-structured and put together and is under a new record label, BMG Sony and Zamba. It is different from the other albums, more modern," he said.
"We worked with producers like Maurice Gregory, my brother and Eddie Perez - now saved about a year ago he used to produce for people like Ashanti and KRS-1. My album is the first album that he has worked on since being a Christian. Also, my band, Victory Band (Paul Richards-bass, Dwon Reid-Keyboard, Fitzroy Green-drum and vocals, Ryan Berry, Joseph Roach and Nicole Robinson) all contributed to the album," Papa San said.
WORLDWIDE
According to Papa San, two singles from the album have already been released, More Life and To You Lord (I Love to Praise you Lord), which will suffice until the release of the album.
"We already released the singles and they are currently being played on air. We have two videos coming out for them. These will play right through the Christmas and then the album will be released early next year, worldwide," Papa San said.
Real and Personal, however, will be launched on November 25 at the Cooper's City Church of God in Browar County, Florida.
In addition to his new album, Papa San also recently formed his own record label, Beloved Records (BR), which should see some local and international artistes being signed soon.
"The label came on stream early this year and is doing great already. Right now, wi getting ready to sign some artistes. Not About Us, a group of three females from South Florida, has already been signed," he said.
Papa San says he also has his eyes set on signing some other artistes, but plans are still in the pipeline.
"Wi also a look fi sign Sherwin Gardner, we also looking to sign a couple Jamaican acts, including Nicole Robinson and wi still have more artistes in mind like Glacia Robinson, and as the Lord leads," he said.
According to Papa San, Sony and South Central will handle distributions for Beloved Records.
Outside of work, however, Papa San says he and his family have been settling in quite well, and although they are comfortable, Jamaica will always be their home.
"We've been adjusting quite well. It's two different kinds of culture, but di yout dem inna proper school and we at a good church, Open Bible, so we are comfortable. The love for Jamaica will never change though, the war and the crime there is just so bad, but we have to always keep Jamaica in our prayers. But for me now, where I am in Fort Lauderdale, we are very comfortable where the Lord has brought us," he said.
Papa San is also a proud father. "One of my sons is in Bible school training to become a pastor, he is 20 and I have a daughter who is 19 doing missionary work. A nuff people nuh know seh mi have kids suh old but I had my first son when I was 18," he explained.
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