5 Questions With Papa San

Dare to Care has partnered with Oliver Mair, consul general of Jamaica to the Southern United States, to host a benefit concert this Saturday, December 6, at The Faith Center in Sunrise, Florida. The event, titled One Love Jamaica Rebuild, aims to raise funds to help rebuild Jamaica.The organisers, including Mayor of Lauderhill Denise Grant, say the concert will “unite music, community and compassion with one purpose: to help restore hope and rebuild Jamaica”. Among the performers are Papa San, Carlene Davis, Marion Hall, Kevin Downswell and Sharon Wiles. Papa San is featured in this week’s 5 Questions With ….

1. How did you feel after seeing videos and pictures of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa and how important is it for you to be a part of this Jamaica Rebuild concert?

As I’ve said many times, it is just heartbreaking … my heart was broken seeing the place, and so many people have lost so many things, including precious loved ones. It’s something you would not even dream would happen, but to see it happening before your eyes is something no words can explain.

I’m also glad to be part of the rebuilding process and want to do as much as I can to show the love of Christ in Jamaica. That’s what Christ wants us to do. I am excited and fired up to participate in this concert.

2. Following the hurricane you had a message which encouraged listeners to “seek the face of Christ and let go of certain behaviours”. Can you expand on this?

If you don’t learn from your past, it becomes your future, so something that I would love people to acknowledge and to understand is that you own nothing and you cannot carry anything with you. And the thing to do is to seek the face of God. Those who walk away from the Lord for so long need to run back to Christ, and those who don’t know Christ need to receive him because he’s the only answer for all our problems. People have to learn and understand that God is in control. Many in Jamaica need to make that turn, and we’re standing in prayer for them and for people who are suffering. It’s a time for repentance, a time to reflect, a time to do some self-examination, a time to make a serious decision by receiving Christ as personal Lord and Saviour.

3. Your new album was launched recently. How was that event and what was the reception like to the new songs?

The pre-album launch was very, very awesome. We had a wonderful time and I want to emphasise that proceeds of that launch went to Jamaica to assist persons affected by the hurricane. The album drops on January 1, 2026. It’s a very good album, but we are just dropping the EP first and then the entire album in the middle of the year. It’s gonna be six songs coming first.

4. What is the concept of the new album and who is this album targeting?

I love the direction of the album ... it’s called My Worship. We have to worship God in spirit and in truth. Worship is a lifestyle and that’s what we share with people when we sing about our lifestyles and how God really took us out of things and bring us through things and bless us as well. We want to target the unsaved to let them see for themselves that God is living through us and that they need Jesus Christ in their life. Also, the album is for the body of Christ to bring strength, and to encourage those who are going through difficult times.

5. How has the year 2025 been for you career wise, and as you continue your spiritual journey?

Well, 2025 has been a year of restoration for me ... there are some things that I have been praying about that God has restored and I give God thanks for that. Yes, there have been some challenges, but we also have joy and peace in Christ. I’ve also been preparing myself in terms of working in the studio and getting new material together to hit the road. And we had the My Worship Tour where we ministered in some Caribbean islands and some East Coast areas. And we are going to continue that next year. It was also a year of evangelism for us.

BRAWTA

What would people be surprised to know about Papa San?

People might not know that I love to play soccer ... football. In America dem seh soccer, I don’t know why. And I’m the fun guy too...I love my family, and I love to take trips with my wife. I’m a proud grandfather too and I enjoy having my grand kids around. It’s a blessing.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com