Interview: Minister Taf
Gospel Reggae artist Minister Taf from Jamaica has released his new album 'Different'. Louder Than The Music chatted with him to find out more about his music.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
Well, I go by the name of Minister Taf, and I was born and raised in Jamaica. I am a Gospel Reggae Artiste, songwriter, author, and a philanthropist. To be honest, music is never something I saw myself doing, because I always wanted to become a professional footballer. I loved music, as I grew up listening to a lot of hip hop and reggae music. Back in the day a friend and I wrote music together, we would write songs for the fun of it. He was the singer, and I was the rapper (laughs). After giving my life to Christ, I joined a youth choir called S4C Fusion, and they would ask me to write something as well, so I would rap on songs. October 2012, I heard the voice of God to pursue music, and that’s when it all started. I started out rapping, and God flipped the script in 2016, and that’s when I started the journey on the reggae side of things.
Tell us about your new album 'Different' and what the inspiration behind it was?
So, different means not the same as another, and this album is different from my first gospel reggae album. It’s different in the sense of growth, production, style, vibe, and mood, but there is a message. I also wanted people to see me, see that I am different from other artists, I am in my own lane, I cannot be boxed in, and my journey is just different.
Which is your favourite track on the album and why?
Honestly, all the tracks are my favourite, because you must first love your product before anyone else will love it. Like a great man once said, don’t trust a salesman who doesn’t wear his product (wink).
What message would you like people to take from your music?
I do real authentic music, and I would like people to be uplifted, encouraged, their faith to grow, have hope, and above all, trust God no matter what.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
I would say my style of music is different, as today I can do a song on an afro-beat rhythm, and tomorrow I spit something on a rap rhythm. My influences are the youths, people who are struggling to make ends meet, and even the older generation as well.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
There’s many, but hey, you said one (laughs). I would say the rapper Bizzle from God Over Money in America. Reason being, I love his transparency in his music, he is just real, and there are similarities in our testimonies, for example, he struggled with pornography and masturbation, I can relate to that having overcome that struggle myself.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Success to me is seeing souls being saved, people’s lives being transformed through my music, and above all, fulfilling the will of God for my life.
What is your favourite album of all time?
All Eyez On Me by Tupac.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
Never Leave Me written by me Minister Taf, ft Fiona Yorke, the song reminds me that being stuck on the Island, God is there with me, and He will never leave me or forsake me.
What does the next year hold for you?
I’m just trying to follow the lead of God, but I would love to have a sold-out headline concert and tour.
