Goddy Goddy came under fire from some Christians for using the song 'Chakka Chi Chi' in the Courts commercial.

The reggae gospel industry is now under scrutiny, following recent incidents that have caused the public to view the artistes in a negative light.

Only last week, the police reported that gospel deejay Kassim 'Moses' Grant was involved in an incident with a family member. During the dispute, he was reported to have pulled an illegal firearm and fired shots at the family member, before running off. Moses was later found dead under a bridge at Mammee River in St Andrew.

And, another gospel couple, deejay Calvin 'Prodigal Son' Whilby and his estranged wife, Joan, have been going through a much-publicised divorce. This is an issue that is commonly frowned on in the Christian community.

These and other factors have caused some people to question the gospel artistes' faith.

"People had their views about us before this happen and a lot of people will point more fingers but I would encourage them not to do so," gospel artiste Omari told The STAR.

He said Christians, like sinners, have their flaws.

"Over the years, the church has always been portrayed as perfect, but we have our flaws too and we have to try and work it out with God. Instead of judging, people should encourage and try to motivate us. It is never my duty to judge; my duty is to try and correct. Judgement belongs to father God," said Omari. "The gospel music fraternity a get blows from here and there but we still stand up strong."

Waiting on the truth

Goddy Goddy also agreed that the industry is under pressure as a result of the recent happenings.

"People will always be people and once something negative happens it will affect us 'cause people have this stigma weh dem use one fi label all. We should not be too quick to be judgmental, we are not perfect," Goddy Goddy told The STAR.

"People see me on the road daily and ask me what happen, especially with Moses. But knowing Moses as a person, I don't know how the story match up with his lifestyle. I am just waiting on the truth to come out."

Craig C, who faced his share of bashing for doing a Kingston Beer advertisement last year, said he did not know how the reggae gospel community would be viewed by onlookers.

However, "it's just a call for every artiste, including myself, to get in line and do weh we supposed to do, because it really look bad right now," Craig C said.

Nonetheless, he said gospel artistes, like everyone else, are humans. And, he is still optimistic, as he believes these negative incidents will encourage the gospel artistes to do the right things.

Left: Gospel Artiste Prodigal Son. Right: Omari