Papa San takes on new name - Says the name 'Papa Son' is more meaningful

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

With a name change coming soon, gospel artiste Papa San will be releasing his newest album My Story. Papa San, who has released albums like Victory, Real & Personal, God & I and Higher Heights in 2009, says he will be changing his name to 'Papa Son' as this will be more meaningful.

"It is something that I prayed about. It's been laying on my heart so long. God changes people's names for them to represent what he wants them to represent. It is a name that has more substance to what I am doing. I represent the Father, I am His son," said Papa San, who is now a senior pastor in his Florida-based church.

The artiste says it is also his relationship with the Lord that led to his 16-track album.

Everybody's story

"My Story talks about my personal life, my personal story. It shows you how God is a healer and a provider. My story is everybody's story," he told The Sunday Gleaner.

"In life all of us face the same kinds of problems. You are not going through anything alone. Sometimes you are going through some things and other people go through the same thing or even worse. It (the album) is based on my testimony but it is applicable to other people. At the end of the day, God is the healer and deliverer," he said.

The project, which took about a year to complete, also features contemporary Christian music's multi-award winning singer/songwriter Nicole C. Mullen on Source Of Strength and Grammy-nominated vocalist Trey Lorenz on Rescue Me. There is a bit of family presence with his 19-year-old daughter, Tasan, doing the interlude for one of his songs, while his 16-year old son, Tyshane, produced three of the rhythms.

And, with this latest effort, the gospel artiste says he is pleased.

"I feel very good about this album. God always takes us to another level. God nuh decrease, Him increase. This album takes it up a couple notches," Papa San said.

While he admits to improvements, Papa San refrained from making comparisons with his previous albums.

"I wouldn't compare them. Every album has its time and season. My Story comes in a season when it is really needed," he said, noting that he has great expectations for it.

The album is currently available in Jamaica, but it will be released to the rest of the world during the first quarter of next year. On Friday, an album release celebration was held at 5 Swallowfield Road in St Andrew with billed acts like Carlene Davis, Omari, Kevin Downswell, Sharon Wiles and Tiffany Hall.

Describing 2012 as what will be a big year for him, Papa San says he will be doing tours in England, United States, Canada and the Caribbean. But before the year ends, he says he plans to release the music video for Devotion.