Blessed with a lyrical creativity and powerful delivery that made his music stand up to the harshest of critics, Cleve Stitchie Laing, has been transformed from being one of dancehalls most acclaimed stars into the love child of gospel. A born-again Christian 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 ruled the dancehall as the Lt. Stitchie, The Governor. A former high school teacher who graduated from the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, Stitchies 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 in August 1997 and the receipt of a Gideon Bible from a Canadian missionary that very night, that Stitchie, on returning to his hotel, prayed the sinner's prayer which was at the back of the bible and accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour. Now comfortably preaching and teaching the gospel, Stitchie, since his baptism in December of 1997, has witnessed the mighty power of God in his career and in every other area of his life. He is a member of the Covenant City Church in Kingston, Jamaica where both he and his wife Sophia serve as praise and worship leaders when not on tour. Totally consumed by the gospel, Stitchie feels it vital to surround himself with musicians who are of the same mind; therefore all the members of his band are Christians, as are the members of his back ground vocals, SAS (Saved, Anointed and Sanctified), a group that he recently formed. Easily one of the most sought after gospel artistes in the genre of reggae, Stitchie has a reputation for high-energy performances, excellent stagecraft and an effective Christian ministry. Since the year 2000, he has been touring extensively as a headliner, performing and ministering at gospel concerts, crusades, church services, and various music festivals in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Wales, Switzerland, Germany, 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 by various awarding bodies. Among them are the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM) which awarded Stitchie. The Best Gospel Artiste in 2001 the Caribbean Gospel Music Awards (Marlins) Most Outstanding Reggae Vocalist of the Year Song of the Year and Most Outstanding Package The Canadian Caribbean Gospel Award for Top Gospel Album in 2002 and again the JFM, also in 2002 for the Number One Gospel Artiste in Jamaica and the Caribbean The French International Caribbean Awards Top Gospel Artiste for 2003. Stitchie proclaims that one of his main concerns is living a Christian life that will be an example to others, especially his former neighbours in the tough communities of West Kingston and Spanish Town where he grew up and his fellow dancehall colleagues. During his tour of Canada in late 1999, Stitchies music has lead over 2000 souls to the Kingdom of God, including his own brother and his brothers wife. Stitchie has shared stage and ministry with leading gospel exponents Kirk Franklin, Alvin Slaughter, Fred Hammond, Helen Baylor, Trinity 5-7, Israel Haughton, Tramaine Hawkins, John Pee Kee and others.He has recorded with artistes such as LL Cool J from Queens on the album "Fourteen Shots to the Doom" which sold Platinum, Actor Steven Segal, En Vogue on the re-mix of their song "Give it Up Turn it Loose", Da Youngstas on their song entitled, Honey-comb Hide Out, Dr. Myles Munroe; renowned Author and Tele-Evangelist), Know Da Verb (Gospel Rapper), Limit , Gregory Isaacs, Marcia Griffith, UB40 and others
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO "FAST & PRAY"
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO "GOSPEL REGGAE"
a taste of Stichie at Gospelfest 2007 in Barbados
