J SQUARE - Real, Raw and Radical! - Part I

From the island of Trinidad and Tobago comes this young, vibrant music minister known as Jason Joefield aka J Square. Becoming more and more of role model for many youths across his home land, he continues to take Gospel in a different direction. Being what some may call 'The Social Commentator' of social ills today, he addressed the issues that many have shyed away from or concealed in the church.

On many singles he has sung about compromise in Christian livelyhood, by 'bunning out' sexual immorality, abuse of children, being Christian players, while still encouraging unity, and inspiring many to become men and women of character, integrity and yet understanding their purpose. With an approach that may seem highly controversial, he continues to glorify his Lord by bringing a non-diluted and direct message that keeps one thinking about the state of their life in Christ.

J Square – Well that was something that our pastor birthed in us from young growing up. The reality is that we get so caught up in life, in jobs, in getting this activity done, promoting this concert and that, and making sure that everything is tip top, that we forget the most important thing which is people. It’s about reaching out to people and making a difference in their lives.

That’s my mantra, so on a daily basis I put instead ahead of my album someone who may come to me and say, ‘Square I need some help with x, y and z’, while I’m practicing. So then too you have your priorities right, because you realise…, right the album launch or television interview is very important as an activity, but this person’s life is much more than that.

Gospelglobe – How has it been for you as a young southern musician offering a unique style and direct approach against a church that patter cakes and ices everthing.

J Square – Hmmm!!! Yuh put that so {Kisses his hand}. Well really and truly it is difficult at times. It was really friends and family that really lent there support and I must say,  the people that support the music now really help to keep me pushing on. There are so many topics that I’m touching, and when the new album drops, trust me! It is going to be crazy.

I know that the church isn’t comfortable with me addressing that directly. I personally believe that God is a direct God, He deals with us specifically. It’s really about having friends who will encourage me and love the music. Who says that the song really blesses them and that gives the encouragement.

Gospelglobe –Let’s go back in time. Tell me of your five (5) journey with Mission Epistle, what are the things that you have learnt in preparation for going solo?

J Square – Mission Epistle was truly a great experience. Still to this day I have good relationship ties with them. The first thing that they thought me was how to project. When I began singing I used to sing in my belly, very low and very soft. The first task when I came into the group, was that they told me I need to go home learn to project. I took one week and I came out projecting PERFECT!

They also taught me humility. I was very arrogant back in the day. There was a time that we had to sing in the skating ring and I used to move with an entire crew of people. The promoters would then say, ‘Hey we only had for you all to come in not for all those six or seven people that with you as well. If they have to come in they have to pay.’

I would say then ‘Well I not singing! If my people not coming in I not singing!’ That was the kind of person that I was and they really taught me how to be humble.

They also taught me the importance of reaching each person. For example, Mission Epislte will leave a huge concert and go to sing in a concert that had only ten people. So they taught me the importance of still reaching out.

They taught how to use a band, how to have stage control and stage presence so without Mission Epistle I don’t think that I would have been the minister that I am today.

Gospelglobe – You seem to be the type that ain’t afraid to tell it like it is. Who did you get that from? Your mum or your dad?

J Square – {Laughs} Gospel Globe eh! I’ll more say that I got it from my mum, cause that’s the personality that my mother has. She would tell you straight as it is. From young when I was growing up in church she never held back anything.

So if at home I stole milk and sugar, and I ran from mummy, she’ll come in church and she’ll stand up unto of the pulpit and say, ‘Jason yes! Just yesterday he thief milk and sugar!’ She helped to take away embarrassment from me publicly and so it’s hard to be embarrassed because of what I went through with her. Her approach is very direct and I think that I learnt it from her.

Gospelglobe – What life’s lessons have you learnt from your dad that you cherish most.

J Square – Well he really taught me that you cannot live this life without people. Most important was ladder holding. Even as I am a leader how high I reach is dependant upon the people who hold me up. Even though I have big goals and big visions and big dreams, they will never be accomplished if I don’t have the right people underneath me, helping me, and supporting me. It makes me value each and every person more in music cause each and every one supports me. You can never tell who is the one who may be instrumental in reaching your goals.

Gospelglobe – I look at you and call you the Jack of trades sometimes. You’ve done music, hosted TV shows on ACTS TV, I’ve seen you Emcee events and now DJ-ing on Tehilla Radio. What next are you going to conquer?

J Square – That’s a good question yuh know! Really and truly I want to do short films and stuff. Using my normal camcorder, have it real grimey. I’m a very humorous person and I like to bring messages in the humour. It may be some short comedy skits, with a strong and profound message as to what’s taking place in our society today. Especially the young people today and the music that they listen to so I think that‘s the next thing that I really want to get myself into.

Gospelglobe – because you’ve don ‘Riddim on D Road’ with ACTS for some time, you’ve had the opportunity to meet top Gospel ministers. Who won you heart the most at first encounter?

J Square – It was Donnie McClurkin. When I started the with interview him, he began to prophecy into my life. I looked at him like, okay…, this is interesting. I began the interview by asking, ‘How does it feel being in Trinidad and Toabgo?’

He said “Yes, being in Trinidad is so great and so awesome…” and he kept talking.

He said, “Many people here don’t believe in you. Many of your close friends don’t even believe in you. Many people would not have thought that you would have reached thus far.”

“What the Lord has in store for you is great and much more than you have ever imagined. Keep on being faithful”. He just kept on talking into my life. He really was the most impressionable in my life. Mary Mary was also cool. They wanted to know what was ‘YOU KNOW! YOU KNOW!’ They thought that it was some word that I was saying.

Gospelglobe – Outside of whom you’ve met through ACTS 25, whose music or character impacts you to raise the bar and persevere in music?

J Square – Hmmm, it will be a group called Christian Massive. They inspired me to sing ‘Don’t Touch Me There’. When I first when to Bahamas, Kent from the group had a song concerning child abuse. He had his little daughter singing, ‘I’m gonna tell my daddy on you.’

He was also saying what if someone touched your breast. He was being very raw. If you know anything about the group, their messages are very direct. He was really instrumental in making me go down this part where I deal with a lot of issues and be very real, straight, and direct to the point. I may have you cringing a lilttle bit if you not accustomed to real talk. So I may have to have a PG-13 album.

Stay tuned for Part II....

Written by :

Esther James

 

Features - People