User:Angela Herman

DJ Nicholas born Nicholas Vacianna Eccleston, is one of leading Gospel Reggae artists from the Carribean. Even though Nicholas went to a very good school, he always had a passion for music from a young age. Nicholas began his career by imitating secular dancehall artists like Bounty Killa. Upon converting from Rastafarianism to Christianity, DJ Nicholas decided to channel his passion for music into making Gospel music for God. He approached Tommy Cowan who helped him record his first single called 'Barrier' and more songs like "Pop off the Word". Nicholas released three albums to date: "On The Shout"(2005), "Louder Than Ever"(2008) and "School Of Volume"(2012). This reggae phenomenon is best known for more popular songs like: "Naa Bow", "Holy Ghost Church", "Testimony", "Back 2 D Owner", "Things Already Better" and mamy more^[1]. He was nominated countless number of times at different award ceremonies. Nicholas' most significant nomination is by the Carribean Gospel Music Marlin Awards in 2006, where he scored a whopping 12 nominations^[2]. To date he has won 7 awards, most of them being of the category "Artist of the Year". His fisrt album "On the Shout" was released in 2005, and it was nominated for "Album of the Year" in 2008 at the YV Awards. His latest album "School Of Volume" released on 29 October 2011, was also nominated during the same year, for "Album of the Year" at the Atlanta Carribean Awards.

Earlier Life[edit]

DJ Nicholas, full name Nicholas Vacianna Eccleston , was born on 29th October in Meadowbrook, Kingston, Jamaica ^[3]. During the early stages of his career, he went by the stagename "Nameless" where he mostly sang violent, gun tunes and songs with explicit lyrical content.^[4]. When asked why he named himself "Nameless" by the online 'The Jamaica Gleaner' magazine, Nicholas had the following to say: "While as a youth growing up I was inspired by Bounty Killa, so I started writing gun tunes. I called myself 'Nameless', because I felt there was no one word in my vocabulary to describe the potential of my lyrical capability," ^[5]. As a teenager on the quest for truth(direction) concerning his life, he had a dream wherein a Rastafarian told him to know himself. As a result of the dream he had, despite being raised in a Christian home, Nicholas embraced the Rastafarian faith in 1999^[6], that has the belief that Sellassie is God^[7], started smoking marijuana and became very rebellious. Due to the fect that he was raised in a Christian home, Nicholas was a devout Bible reader and he prayed for God's guidance. One day while studying his Bible, he stumbled upon a scripture from the book of Acts4:12 which reads "there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved". This passage changed his life and consequently, he renounced the Rastafarian religion, turned fully to the Bible for guidance and inspiration^[8] and he also joined the New Life of God Church on Constant Spring Road, Jamaica where he got converted and baptized. DJ Nicholas has since then become a music minister and a devout follower of Christ.

Music Career[edit]

Nicholas started doing music since he was in [[school]. To date, he has released three albums namely: "DJ Nicholas On The Shout", "Louder Than Ever" and "School Of Volume". He has also collaborated and shared the stage with various world renowned artists.

DJ Nicholas On The Shout (2005)[edit]

DJ Nicholas' first album comprising of 18 tracks was released in 2005 by "On The Shout Records" label. It constitutes of straight-to-the-heart-hitting-songs-like "God Man", "Mek Mi Gwaan", "Pop Off The Word" and of course, the addictive "Da One Yah". This album has been nominated for awards in various categories:

• Artist of the Year-MAJA Awards (Jamaica)
• New Artist of the Year-MAJA Awards
• Reggae Vocal Performance of the Year-Marlin Awards (Bahamas)
• New Artist of the Year-Marlin Awards (Bahamas)^[9]

Louder Than Ever (2008)[edit]

The "Louder Than Ever" album was released under "On The Shout" record label, in 2008. He worked along producers Danny Browne, Karl Gibson, Dale Virgo and Jermaine Edwards. Of the 16 tracks, a few takes you to the streets on hardcore songs such as "One Less", the ethereal "Trouble" and the ominously dark "Round Here". Then you find up-tempo riddims like "Wise as a Serpent", "Harvesting", "BAck 2 D Owner" and "Under Subjection". The tracks "I Prophecy" and "He that Dwelleth" replaces his all-too familiar up-beat rhymes with what some would call "religious rants". Among the tracks are "Revival"and "Things Already Better" that has sharp lyrics and witty delivery^[10].

School Of Volume (2011)[edit]

"School Of Volume" is DJ Nicholas' latest album, released on his birthday 29 October 2011. The album features hits like "Holy Ghost Gym", "Rock of My Life", "Cut It Off", "Divine Mathematics" and more. The album has 15 tracks of which most of them are of the genre reggae hip-hop and dancehall.

Personal Life[edit]

Nicholas Eccleston moved to Constant Spring, from Meadowbrook in his teenage years, where he is currently residing. Nicholas is married to Sandra for three years. She is very supportive of his career and works alongside him on a day-to-day basis. She does his bookings as well as some administrative work. Sandra also accompanies her husband on his travels, both local and overseas^[11]. Nicholas and Sandra don't have any children yet.

Other Works[edit]

Nicholas is one of the directors of a growing recording company and booking agency called 'On The Shout Records'^[12]. He is also an integral part along with Kevin Smith(the founder) of the 'A Betta Tomorrow' initiative^[13] which aims to transform lives through free, major outreaches which is slowly spreading through different, small parishes in Jamaica^[14]. In addition to that, he is also, together with Jason Mighty, an ordained deacon at his church, New Life Assembly of God Church^[15].

DJ NIcholas has performed in many countries among others, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South America, Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Belize and several Carribean Islands. He has also shared stages with Tyre Tribett, TD Jakes, Shirley Caeser, Israel Houghton, Marvin Winans, Alvin Slaughter, CeCe Winans^[16]. He aslo opened for Kirk Franklin in St. Maarten and for Donnie McClurkin in Antigua. Nicholas has also, to date, collaborated with alot of different artists, namely Kemon Ennis on "Holy Ghost Church"; Prodigal Son on a CD named "Recharge"; Jai; Tamara Clarke; Shelley Thunder; Chevelle Franklyn and many more^[17]. In addition to the above-mentioned; som of his songs received "number one" airplay on radio stations in the Carribean, Canada and USA on WLIB 90 AM. He also received "number one" music video on CVM TV Hit List (Jamaica) 09 September and RETV for the music video 'Holy Ghost Gym'^[18].

Discography[edit]

• "DJ Nicholas, On The Shout" (2005)
• "Louder Than Ever" (2008)
• "School Of Volume" (2012)
• "Various Artists, KatsJam Roots Gospel Vol. 2"
• "Chevelle Franklyn, His Way"
• "Kerron Ennis, God is By Our Side"
• "Katalys Crew, Christmas Inna Jamdown"
• "Various Artists, This Is HOW We Celebrate Christmas"
• "Various Artists, The Scroll"
• "Various Artists, Scroll V2"
• "Various Artists, Gospel Fi Share 1"
• "Various Artists, Prodigal presents Recharge"
• "Various Artists, YOW 3 - Reggae Street Gospel Chapter 3"
• "Various Artists, YOW 4 - Reggae Street Gospel Chapter 4"

Awards and Nominations[edit]

References[edit]