UK Christian Rapper J. Vessel Talks About Being God's Mouthpiece Through His Music

UK rapper, Jordan 'J Vessel' Amadi-Myers made history in 2014 by becoming the youngest ever artist to be nominated for a MOBO Award as well as an Urban Music Award both in the same year, at just 17. Now 18 and making great strides in the right direction, he has already been labelled 'the future of UK urban music' from music fans as well as some of his musical heroes such as Guvna B. 

With an energetic live show and much crowd participation, 2014 saw J Vessel perform at some of the biggest festivals in the UK, including Big Church Day Out and NewDay. His urban sound has proved to be a big hit with the youth, bursting onto the scene with his aptly titled debut single "I'm A Vessel" in 2012 to his 2014 summer hit "Amazing Love" which earned him his first #1 single on the AStepFwd Charts.

Staying true to his beliefs, J Vessel is an artist that redefines mainstream popular culture. Thematically, one can find inspiration, faith and honesty in his music. But its more than that. If Oscar Wilde was correct when he said, "Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation," it's easy to understand the attraction to J Vessel. In a sea of shallow, self-indulgent music, he's swimming against the tide embracing all the things that make him the man he is, including his faith. 

Hallels: Thank you for doing this interview with us. How and why did you choose to call yourself J. Vessel?

The J is from my first name 'Jordan' so nothing impressive about that, sorry! The vessel is just what I felt God was calling me to be; a mouthpiece, a tool in which he can use to speak to my generation.

Hallels: I believe your dad is a Christian DJ, did he influence you in your calling to sing? How was he influential to your music ministry?

Yep my Dad was hugely influential, subconsciously that is. My Dad being a Christian DJ meant I was well aquatinted with Gospel music growing as it was all we played in the car! This subconsciously showed me a different world view, which impacted me from early.

Hallels: Being only 18 years-old, you have had quite an accomplishment in terms of your music, how did you first feel God's call to sing for Him?

I stumbled into music, growing up, I wanted to be a footballer! In the midst of my football frenzy, I stumbled across GarageBand on my Dads computer and started making beats! With my Dad being a DJ he would have shows up and down the country and sometimes he would bring me with him knowing that there would be open mic opportunities for me to share my music! It was then that I developed a passion for music and saw how it could be used to uplift and encourage and not just to put down.

Hallels: Congratulations on the release of your new single "Take It to the World." For our readers who may not have heard it yet, what's the song about?

Thank you! Take It To The World is about my worldview being secret and hidden from the rest of the world. You don't hear anybody like me on the radio, they don't speak for, I can't find me on the TV either. Christians have been marginalised in the effect that our voice cannot be heard on mainstream platforms and in culture, and I'm on a mission to change that. This song is about me not being afraid and taking our message of love, hope and youth to the world. So go check that out and by the video you maybbe able to tell that I'm from London!

Hallels: I believe you are working on your new album "Halo." Why do you entitle it "Halo"?

Yes my debut EP "Halo" has been a long time in the making. A lot of these songs were written years ago and have finally been recorded, mixed and mastered and now they are ready to be shared with the world. Halo is the name of the title track in which I talk about my struggle to be this 'perfect character' the world wants me to be as well as my struggle to live up to Gods standards. The song and the project aims to reveal to its listeners that when you're in Christ, God doesn't see your sins, he's not looking to see when was the last time you messed up! As soon as you put your faith in Jesus, all God sees when he looks at you is Jesus, is perfection, righteousness - in other words your halo.

Hallels: Who have you been working with for this new record? And when will it be released?

Gods opened so many doors for me on this project, I was able to work with some of my heroes; Guvna B, Dwayne Tryumf, Victizzle, Jake Isaaac just to say a few. We're hoping to release it before the end of the year, hopefully around October.

Hallels: Since many of our readers are in the US, do you have any plans to tour the US anytime soon?

If you invite me!! I'm joking, no, one day of course I would love to tour the U.S.! We're trying to build something special here in the UK that you'll soon here about in the U.S.! Keep us in your prayers.

Hallels: For our readers who would like to find out more about you and your music, where can they go?

They can go to my website jvessel.com to find out more! 

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