‘Gangster Preacher’ makes her dancehall gospel debut

Raised in the Maxfield community, Taneisha Shaw was always reminded that her father was a 'bad man' and she grew up under the scrutiny of others.

She said, "I'm from the inner city, but I learned early that where someone comes from does not determine where they are going. Anyone that knows me from my younger days would know that I was a dancehall girl right through ... inna the dance pon Friday and Saturday pon me head top. But, for some reason, my feet were planted firmly in praise and worship on Sunday morning. I, like many persons, always wondered what was leading me there because it wasn't instilled in me that I had to go to church."

LIFE OF THE PARTY

Shaw shared in her interview with Gospel Spotlight that she loved the streets and would be the life of the party, whether engaged in dance or doing freestyle deejaying among her friends. But all that changed on September 28, 2014, when she gave her life to God.

"For a while, I had the dream to become a professional deejay and singer but me never guh inna nuh studio. However, when I was living in Canada, I used the stage name Mush Gotti and had the opportunity to even perform at an anniversary [event] where other female dancehall acts from Jamaica, like Spice and D'Angel, were on the line-up," she said. "It wasn't any life-changing incident that made me choose God. I recognised that, where I am coming from, those are the people God wants me to minister to and to encourage."

Shaw hosts her online ministry on Instagram and Facebook and has been proclaimed the 'gangster preacher'. She is known for her 'click click pow' catchphrase.

"When me ah pray, me nuh play 'cause every devil ah guh get bududup when me minister," she said.

She said that her ministry has been founded on relationships and not religion. Shaw recently connected with dancehall diva Pamputtae to record a powerful track, titled God A Cover We, noting that it will be her first official recording and a segue into musical ministry.

"Pamputtae and me was friend from way before, but November, something come to me that I must link up with her for a song. We are showing that, for the world to be better, both Christians and non-Christians have to show unity. Remember, if sinners are alive, it means He has a purpose for them. This is me fulfilling my purpose now to call sinners to God through the music," Shaw said.

FULFILLING MY PURPOSE

"Together, we are just demonstrating that, if God is for you, nothing can be against you. I don't do it from a religious perspective but try to build relationships, and this is mine and Pamputtae relationship becoming stronger. I just want people to listen to God A Cover We and feel inspired," she continued.