Shiselon

Known to relatives and close friends as Jonathan De Silva, this young rap minister grew up in a humble home enforcing strong Christian values. No stranger to the stage, his journey as a minister began at a very young age regularly performing in church with his other two siblings. At that time the trio was greatly supported and encouraged by their mother performing her own arrangements and compositions. As the culture within the church environment changed Jonathan found himself being gravitated towards reggae music and dance hall being influenced by veterans like Lester Lewis.

It wasn't until his early teenage years that he knew the call of the Lord was upon his life. Having received numerous prophecies upon his life about ministry, at the age of 14 he decided to commit himself to the call after a very significant encounter with the Lord. The next couple of years would prove to be very interesting as he found himself digging deeper within to discover what treasure was buried waiting to be unveiled. During this time he developed a special interest in hip hop music and was pleased to discover that the interest was reciprocated. He found himself engaging in idle battles in school and even formed a group with two other peers. It was then that the name Shiselon was coined. Taken from the word "chisel", a tool for sculpting. Jonathan realised that he had a clever gift for putting lyrics together and likened that to the art of sculpting. Having replaced the "C" with an "S" and adding "ON" as the suffix, he became a lyrical sculptor.

Snap back to reality and God's purpose. In 1998 he met with another talented member of his church (Jason Clarke) and they together with Shiselon's brother, sister, and brother in law formed a group called Higgaion (higgayawn). (yes, he has an odd affection for strange words). This group performed a mix of dance hall/r&b/hip hop but Shis had a burning desire to launch out as a Christian rapper. Something that was very rare in Trinidad at the time. A year later he met up with Sherwin Gardner and joined the Judah Sounds Label where he was first heard on the One Step Closer to Zion album with "Righteous Living". Since then he has been a part of every major project produced by the label now known as Flowmasters Records. Shiselon has performed in many major gospel concerts locally and regionally in Barbados, St Kitts& Nevis, Antigua, St Vincent, Venezuela, sharing the stage with local artistes like Sherwin Gardner, Tiko Angelos, Jadee, Vanessa Briggs, Koen Duncan and international artistes like Papa San, Stitchie, Prodigal Son, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp and Martha Munizzi.

In September 2003 his first album was released titled "Eyes Off Me" featuring 16 tracks some of which are featured on Lion of Zion compilations, Soca Baptism and Raggamuffin Hiphop. Though not marketed extensively the album did fairly decent locally and regionally earning him the 2004 Hip hop Recording of the year Marlin award and the respect of anyone who hears him. With a strong focus on ministry and the redemption of souls Shiselon aims to take up where he left listeners thirsting and feed them with a new release titled "Dominion 868: Theocracy" featuring production by Sherwin Gardner, Sean Sandiford and Royalty Club.

As a gospel minister Shiselon will take the message wherever it needs to be heard. On the streets, in the ghettos, on the air, he's not subject to the church forum. As an artiste he will take his talent wherever the style can be found. With God as his head and Philippians 4:13 as his motto, there's no stopping what God can do through this available tool. As he would put it, Shis-E-L-O-N (Eternal Life Or Nothing), Igloomatic 3-6-0. We out.



Discography

Song Album

Righteous Living One Step Closer to Zion: LOJ 2001

RudimentsTiko and Gitta: Royal Priesthood

All Day LongSherwin Gardner: Leaning

My God is GodSherwin Gardner: Closer

WhatchagonnadoSoca Baptism

God IsRaggamuffin Hiphop 2

El GibborRaggamuffin Hiphop 2

Dem nah KnowTurn it Up Vol1



Albums

"Eyes Off Me"- Flowmasters Records 2003

"Dominion 868:Theocracy"-(to be announced)



Awards

Marlin Awards 2004Hiphop recording of the year