Forget the ragga, forget the party tracks! Mr. Googz is heading in a new direction, and he wants everyone to know it. Since releasing his debut album in 2006, the ragga artist has been rather quiet. It turns out it’s been deliberate, and much has happened in that time.

Mwafrika.com sat down for a candid chat with Googz, and got to talk about the new man he’s become, the new direction his music is taking and his upcoming wedding.

Mwafrika.com: It’s been awhile since we last spoke. What have you been up to?
Mr. Googz: Wow. Yeah, it’s been awhile. I’ve been up to a lot. Right now I’m working on my second album, but taking it very slowly. Because what I want to achieve with this album is totally different from what I did with the first album. I finished my first album in 2006. In between, I’ve been thinking, trying to find out who I really am. Trying to ask myself questions like why am I doing music? Checking myself, so to speak.

M: So tell me about this second album?
G: The album is full of revelation of the Word of God. I haven’t come up with a title for the album, but it could be called rhema. Actually, I’ve only just finished recording the first song, now working on the second one. Like I said earlier, I’m taking it very slow. We’re working with the same guys who produced the first one, but we took a totally different direction. As far as any collaborations go, I'm doing a song with Dunco (of Chiefs), and also looking to work with Rosy Ohon. For me, they stand out because of their love for God.

M: What are some of these differences with your first project?
G: In the first place, this album is much more of singing, and not ragga as the first one was. It’s more musical. There's more emphasis on the lyrical content, and it's much slower in tempo.

M: Why?
G: Largely because I want to be able to minister to everyone. You know, I realized that when I’m invited to churches for instance, people love my music and all, and they’ll say we understand and see the conviction, but we wish we could hear more of what you’re saying, and so on. I realized we’re not singing to hide the message in the song, we’re singing to make the message known. I think it’s important for me to be able to put that message across.

M: Are you saying that Mr.Googz, the ragga artist, is a thing of the past? That ragga for you is no more?
G: It depends on how you look at it. You see, if you give me a (ragga) track right now and tell me to sing to it, I will. I can do that pretty easily. But since I’m not doing music to prove a point but to minister, I’d rather cut the ‘Jamaican thing’ and sing music that more people can understand. I can also say for sure that I’m not doing anymore ‘party tracks’, or music just for entertainment. It’s all worship for me, and this will be a worship album.

M: What does this mean for your fans?
G: The beat in my music has not really changed much. It’s me who has changed, and how I give my message. If you’re a guy who’s just interested in tracks to throw your hands up to, I won’t be your ideal artist. But if you’re looking for music that speaks to your life and the things you’re going through, those are the songs I’m singing.

M: Wow. What happened? What experiences are these that have totally refocused your outlook on music in the last two years?
G: I think I’ve just realized that a lot of the music we’re doing as local (Gospel) artists has lost track, especially in terms of lyrical content. I mean, listen to guys like (Cross Movement’s) The Ambassador, and you can see what I’m talking about – lyrical depth. Are we singing the Word of God? It’s like we’ve forgotten we’re ministers. You know, if someone is singing for the money, I would advise them to try the world. But if you’re singing for God, you’ve been called to go into the world and make disciples, not entertain. And we make disciples by singing, preaching the Word. That’s who I want to be. It’s the Word of God that makes an impact, not the music, not the style of music. We do not need to be like the world to reach the world. It’s the Spirit of God that convicts and brings salvation, not our shrewd ways and so on. I think I would sum it up by saying, I’ve grown. Faith grows, and that’s what has happened.

M: Alright. Let’s talk about the wedding. We hear you’re getting married pretty soon?
G: Yeah, I’m the middle of planning the wedding. I’m getting married on August 15^th, really excited about that. It’s been a difficult journey getting here! It’ll be a card only event, but I’d like to invite everyone who wants to come, on condition that they buy their own invitation card, which is 2,500 bob. Guys who want to come can call me (0724539398) and I'll be able to get them one.

M: OK. So other than that, what’s ahead for Mr. Googz?
G: I want to go to school later to learn music, specifically praise and worship, and spend time preparing for what I believe God wants me to do. I think preparation is extremely important. Then, like I said, my second album should be out early next year. 

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