Tellah makes a change - MKQ contestant now pursuing gospel reggae

Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall finalist Tellah will now be releasing gospel reggae music.

The former raunchy deejay said she has been grappling with thoughts of changing her lifestyle for quite some time.

However, she has finally decided to make the bold step. The artiste, who placed third in the popular competition in 2009, is promoting a single called 'I Am Not My Scars'.

She describes the track as socially conscious and uplifting and that it is based on real stories about her.

"My mother migrated when I was young and I endured a lot of abuse as a result of that. I had my first child when I was only 15,” she said. “I decided to put it in my music now that I have the strength to. Right now I just think I found myself.”

Tellah, who now attends the Fire Anointing Ministry, said that while 'I Am Not My Scars' is a record that chronicles her journey to religion, it is not a gospel record but rather one that matches her chosen lifestyle.

She explained that she no longer wears earrings, fake hair or skimpy clothing and has the desire to create music that is more positive and uplifting.

She said she is not afraid of people losing interest in her music due to her lifestyle change and believes her new lease on life will do her more good than harm.

“People assume that converting to religion will affect their fan base and I don’t think so because right now I am creating more uplifting content ... this will more likely build my fan base than damage it,” she said.

Tellah said she used to wear rings all over her body including her tongue, navel and chin.

"I went to church one night and the pastor asked me to sing and I went up with the chin ring and sang. I went home to sleep that night and when in the morning my chin ring was gone. I decided that since that one came out on its own, it was a sign and that is how my transformation process started,” she said.