Gospel Spotlight: Marsha J is a walking testimony

If there was ever a walking testimony, Marsha J would be it. The gospel singer endured a year of abnormal bleeding due to polycystic ovarian syndrome while laying down vocals for her debut album, 'Favor', which was released on November 2. The singer confirmed that she would have 'messy' incidents on stage and at the studio while making the album, but she was not aware what conditioned she had.

"I didn't know what it was, but the doctors were giving me symptomatic treatment as they didn't have anything concrete to say what it was," Marsha J told THE WEEKEND STAR.

She refused to be defeated by any ailment and finished production on the 15-track album, which was produced by Karl Marrett of New York-based Stile Records, to which she is signed.

The album includes Triumph, Unconditional Lover, and the title track, which she dubs as her favourite.

"The title track resonates with me because of everything that has happened," she said. "The album symbolises that anything is possible and you can do anything you put your mind to. When you have a purpose, there is nothing that can kill it. I could have died already. Can you imagine bleeding for a whole year?" she asked.

When she is not ministering to people in song, she does it through words. Marsha J is an ordained minister, motivational coach, and entrepreneur. She added that she likes ministering to the youth.

"I remember when I was between 13 and 19, it was the most devastating time of my life," she said. "I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, and I was always cutting myself and contemplating suicide. When I got older, I knew I wanted to help youth in that transitional phase. So many youth are looking for that big sister or mother because not everyone has a perfectly designed family and instead look to the Internet for good role models, which is not always the best thing to do."

Marsha J, whose real name is Marsha Jarrett, was born in Kingston but spent her formative years in St Ann. She received her mainstream debut after winning the 2016 gospel competition hosted by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission. Her first project, Slain for Me, was released last year.