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STITCHIE BIOGRAPHY
A gifted lyrical genius, with a superb and unique style combined with a powerful delivery that made his music stand up to the harshest of critics, Cleve "Stitchie" Laing, has been transformed from being one of dancehall’s most acclaimed icons into the love child of Gospel. He is still honoured and adored by the International Reggae and Dancehall Community globally and his supporters are now even greater. After hearing and/or seeing Stitchie perform, one must confess that his amazing abilities only get better by the minute.
Ordained as a Minister of the Gospel, a Psalmist and a born-again Kingdom Citizen whose repertoire is totally dedicated to all things Christ-Like, Stitchie, like the great characters of the bible, had his name changed after conversion by doing away with the "Lieutenant" part of his moniker, which was a throw back to the days when he was king of the dancehall as Lt. Stitchie, The Governor.
Now placed as a General in the territory of reggae and dancehall music by his Commander in Chief, the LORD, JESUS, THE CHRIST, reverenced and worshipped by Stitchie, the former high school teacher who graduated from G.C.Foster College of Physical Education and Sport was destined to teach valuable lessons in the school of life. Stitchie’s conversion was the culmination of two years spent in quiet reflection on his purpose in life and contemplating eternity, shortly after the death of his beloved mother.
It was following on a near-death car crash on the way to perform at Reggae Sumfest on August 7, 1997 and the receipt of a Gideon New Testament Bible from a Canadian Missionary the very night that Stitchie, on returning to his hotel, read the Bible, and was transformed as his Citizenship was changed by the powerful love and saving grace of JESUS, THE CHRIST.
Now comfortably preaching and teaching the Gospel, Stitchie since his baptism on December 14, 1997, has witnessed the mighty power of God in his career and in every other area of his life and has seen his boundaries enlargened. Inspired by the LORD, motivated and supported by his spiritual mentor, Dr. Myles Munroe, Stitchie has once again demonstrated his versatility and creativity as an author. Stitchie and his wife Sophia fellowship with the family of God at the New Life Church of God in Spanish Town, Jamaica, and would occasionally preach the word of God on a Sunday morning when he’s not on tour.
Easily and undoubtedly one of the most sought after Gospel Artiste in the genre of reggae and dancehall, Stitchie has also been able to keep himself at the top of his game in very high demand for several Reggae Concerts and Festivals globally. He has a reputation for high energy electrifying performances, excellent stage craft and an effective Kingdom ministry which he has used to reap thousands of souls for the Kingdom of God. Since the year 2000, he has been touring extensively as a headliner and speaker, performing and ministering at gospel concerts, crusades, conferences, street meetings, church services, and various music festivals in the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, Wales, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Denmark, The Netherlands, Austria, France, Belgium, Africa, Jamaica and many other Caribbean Islands.
Although not one to revel in awards and take any praise unto himself, nevertheless, the excellence of this Bond Servant and Ambassador for Christ has been recognized nationally and internationally since the release of his Reggae/Dancehall gospel album "Real Power", by various awarding bodies. Among them is the Jamaican Federation of Musicians (J.F.M.) which awarded Stitchie the Best Gospel Artiste in 2001; the Caribbean Gospel Music Awards (Marlin) – Most Outstanding Reggae Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year – "Solid Rock" and Most outstanding Packaging; The Canadian Caribbean Gospel Award for Top Gospel Album in 2002 and again the J.F.M., also in 2002 for the Number One Gospel Artiste in Jamaica and the Caribbean, The French International Caribbean Awards Top Gospel Artiste for 2003, Reggae/Soca Music Award, Song of the Year 2004 – "Fast & Pray", The Caribbean Gospel Music Awards, New York, for The Caribbean Song of the Year International 2005, "Gospel Reggae" from his second Album "Kingdom Ambassador" and Original Song International 2005; "Gospel Reggae". Maja Awards, Jamaica, 2006 saw Stitchie receiving two awards namely; The Best Gospel Deejay of the Year and Long Service and Dedication of the Gospel Music Industry. His release of "Real Life Story" in 2007 earned him two Marlin Awards in 2008 namely; The Best Gospel Solo Performer of the Year and Most Outstanding Packaging and his penned combination with dancehall artiste Elephant Man, "What A Mighty God", awarded him the Best Gospel Oriented Song of the Year at the IRWMA’s in 2009.
Stitchie proclaims that one of the main concerns is to live a life according to the principles of the Kingdom that will be an example to others, especially his former neighbours in the garrisons of the inner-city communities where he grew up and to his fellow dancehall colleagues.
This trendsetter, who is credited in the analogs of the history of Reggae Music in Germany, as the first to bring dancehall music to Germany, and who is inscribed on the pages of the Guinness Book of Records of who’s who in Reggae Music, continues to set a blistering pace and has raised the bar in Reggae/Dancehall Gospel Music a thousand feet higher, simultaneously, reinforcing in Dancehall Music, as a whole, why there is only one "Stitchie" with his latest release "SERIOUS MESSAGE". This is an excellent compact, authentic, 100% hardcore, street Reggae and Dancehall rocket, launching an alert and an awareness on some real issues of our heart, simultaneously bringing prominence to the effectiveness of the application of the principles of the Kingdom of God in our Lives. As an Ambassador for Christ, it is Stitchie’s mandate to establish and secure his Government’s interest in the territory to which he is commissioned, to further highlight his lyrical supremacy and vocal prowess in Dancehall and Reggae Music, is effectively and effortlessly demonstrated on "SERIOUS MESSAGE", with clinical precision. 100% authentic, hardcore, street Dancehall and Reggae rocket; "SERIOUS MESSAGE" heralds a new message on a familiar horse, captivating and pulsating to the 12th power. These twelve epistles were spiritually crafted to reach the unreachable, conquer the invincible, give hope to the hopeless, speak to the minds of the heartless, repair the eyes of the spiritually impaired and to deliver the message of the LIGHT to those lost in darkness. From the inauguration of the track "Haffi Mek It", "SERIOUS MESSAGE" authenticates Stitchie’s preparedness and approval from his Commander in Chief and compels one to move. The other eleven messages are equally proclaimed with clarity and power. Multi-Grammy Nominated and Award Winning Musicians, Engineers and Producers like Sly & Robbie, Barry O’Hare, Bobby "Digital" Dixon, Tell and Dean Frazer are all credited for the excellent contribution of their skills on "SERIOUS MESSAGE". Kirk Davis is the only featured Artiste on this gem, on a powerful track entitled “False Alarm”. Drum & Bass Music has produced Stitchie’s best work to date and the future of this Album is so bright that not even shades can contain it. This Album is definitely a winner and is destined to send a SERIOUS MESSAGE to the Billboard and other Charts worldwide.
The presentation and concept of the packaging of the compact disc comprises of flipping the CD to various angles to view the rich artwork, thus breaking the repetitiveness of the traditional CD packaging.
Stitchie has also pioneered a completely new path in the history of Reggae Music, by becoming the first Reggae and Dancehall Artiste to write and publish a book entitled "The Power of Determination", his autobiography, for global distribution.
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