By Cecelia Campbell Livingston
Gospel artiste Rian Davis has raised his profile in the global gospel arena, promising to take the world by storm for the glory of God. As someone who always wanted to be a teacher, he has decided to use his musical talent to teach the Word and spread the message of love and hope across the world.
Davis, who has been involved in the business of music for as long as he can remember, said he actually started his professional journey at the age of 19.
“It was my first love and it intensified as I accompanied my older brother to various gospel concerts, as he was the main drummer for several artistes at that time,” Davis told Freedom Come Rain.
Recalling how he actually embraced music as a career, Davis said that as a young convert, he was searching for something to keep him focused, and music filled that gap.
“I founded a singing group with a couple of my young church brothers. We started singing at church and in and around the community. And I was then encouraged to enter the JCDC (Jamaica Cultural Development Commission) gospel competition, which I did, and that was my first entry into mainstream gospel,” he related.
The budding gospel artiste pulls his inspiration from the likes of Glen Graham and Kirk Franklin, who he describes as a ‘minister’. For Davis, Glen Graham, who is known for songs such as ‘Mother’s Grave’, ‘Six Men Bringing You Back’, and Get On Board,” is a timeless and relevant singer who appeals to every generation.
“I love the raw gospel in his songs; sinners can be saved by just listening to a record, and I admire that,” Davis notes.
Having recorded songs such as Captain of the Ship, Blame it on Yourself , Mighty God, Mad Over Me, Sin Nah Wear Again, and Fisherman, Davis said most of his inspiration comes from the Word of God as well as everyday situations.
“I must say I strongly believe it is the Holy Spirit who directs me to these situations. He is the One who gives the real inspiration and the One who gets all the credit for all my songs,” he informs.
The singer added that there are times he will pen his songs based on personal situations, which, for him, proves to be a form of therapy. Highlighting one such song, he said ‘Mad Over Me’ resulted from him being fed up with the devil and his antics and just wanted to let him know, ‘,,,nutten nah work, mi have God…and God gave me a blessing, and my blessing blesses so many others, and I give God thanks.’
Hailing from a little community called Mt. Industry in the cool hills of St Catherine, Davis was born in a nuclear Christian family, and is the seventh of eight children. He said growing up was good for him, as he adored country life, and his parents worked hard to ensure food was always on the table and God in their hearts.
“We attended the Long Hill Church of God of Prophecy where I still attend now,” he stated, pointing out that he hasn’t been attending as often as he would have liked now.
A past student of Oberlin High School and Moneague Teacher’s College, Davis is married and “working on having children.”
With dreams of taking his music to the worldwide stage, Davis is well on his way to achieve his goal. From his very first track, Testify,” he has been travelling all over Jamaica, the Caribbean, the United States, and Europe, all in the name of spreading the good news through music.
He has worked with some talented and anointed producers such as Clement Davis, Alex Martin, Delroy Lingo, and the Imperium family. They all played their role in him becoming the CGL Male Gospel Artiste of the Year in 2022.
“The work continues, and now I am working on my next album, ‘Tested to Testify’ along with some new singles and some visuals, including the music video for Mighty Than All,” he observes, as he acknowledges that 2023 is turning out to be a very busy one for him.
Davis is determined that his ultimate goal, which is for the Lord’s complete Will to be fulfilled in his life, is about to be realised. “I want to ensure that the gift He has given me is maximised,” he said.
