Biography
Born Howard Reynolds on 15 November 1970 in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, the artist spent his early years in the Maverly and Orange Grove district, where church attendance formed a regular part of his routine. Rebellion surfaced at fourteen, prompting him to take the stage as a dancehall DJ under the initial name Snakeman. His first recording, ‘Old People’, was cut alongside Sly And Robbie. By 1993 he had issued ‘Mr. Dynamite’ under Black Scorpio’s guidance and was traveling throughout the island on multiple sound systems. Discomfort grew, however, amid the overtly suggestive dancing of ragga girls and the prevailing appetite for explicit or violent content; after each performance he returned home to view American television preachers, among them Billy Graham. In 1997 he turned away from dancehall entirely, committing instead to lyrics that upheld moral values in Jesus’ name, drawing inspiration from Papa San, Lieutenant Stitchie, and, in a surprising turn, Ninjaman performing as Brother Desmond.
April 1999 brought confirmation at the Cavalier New Testament Church and a brief resolve to leave entertainment behind. That intention faded quickly once he began composing gospel-oriented material. His pastor urged him to present the first of these pieces, ‘The Whole Armour’, during a service; the congregation’s warm reception led him to record the follow-up ‘Mr. Goddy Goddy’, a chant that became his defining motto and earned him the moniker Mr. Goddy Goddy. Appearances at major Jamaican gospel gatherings followed, prompting him to assemble his own backing unit, the Blessed Band, to sustain his ministry. In 2000 he encountered Danny Browne of the Main Street crew, a producer who had likewise distanced himself from the earlier disreputable style in favor of a more uplifting message. Reynolds signed to Browne, who issued the DJ’s self-titled debut album.
April 1999 brought confirmation at the Cavalier New Testament Church and a brief resolve to leave entertainment behind. That intention faded quickly once he began composing gospel-oriented material. His pastor urged him to present the first of these pieces, ‘The Whole Armour’, during a service; the congregation’s warm reception led him to record the follow-up ‘Mr. Goddy Goddy’, a chant that became his defining motto and earned him the moniker Mr. Goddy Goddy. Appearances at major Jamaican gospel gatherings followed, prompting him to assemble his own backing unit, the Blessed Band, to sustain his ministry. In 2000 he encountered Danny Browne of the Main Street crew, a producer who had likewise distanced himself from the earlier disreputable style in favor of a more uplifting message. Reynolds signed to Browne, who issued the DJ’s self-titled debut album.