Artist Name: Shadrach

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Birth Name: Tony Peddie

Birth Place and Date: England

Official Bio

My name is Shadrach I am one of 6 children, (3 Boys and 3 girls), born to Jamaican parents in England. I was a pupil at Stockwell Park secondary school where my main interests were in music classes. I specialized in steal pan and drums and often got to perform these instruments at other venues. I have always had a passion for music, and started to MC from the age of 15 on all the local sound systems. I rapidly gained a reputation and started appearing on stage shows with famous artists such as Buju Banton, Tony Rebel, Wayne Wonder, Gabrielle and more recently Stitchie.

I grew up in the heart of Brixton, where you needed to have a so called 'rude boy attitude' just to fit in. My lifestyle was causing a lot of distress to my family, as they did not raise me in this manner, my mother always feared for my life and every time that I left the house she feared that it might be the last time she would see me.

Gradually I found myself in the company of many notorious gangsters and villains, and because of this I found myself in life or death situations. One by one my friends were killed in gang wars, and as the saying goes; I'm here but by the Grace of God! Every time I left my house I came across some one telling me 'Jesus Loves you' even if I was in a large group of people they seemed to single me out to give me that message. One day I was walking through my neighborhood and heard some lively music and thought I'd have a closer look, it turned out to be a gospel outreach and before I left a man named Alex lead me in the sinners prayer. I'm pleased to say I've never looked back since, old things have truly passed away and now I'm a happily married man with three beautiful children.

I released an album in 2004 called Ashes to Ashes, many people have said this album is 'radical' and I believe that God wants me to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ through this musical ministry without compromise. It took roughly two years to complete this album, and the producer, who was not a Christian at the time, subsequently gave his life to Jesus Christ! This is one of the many great fruits that the Lord has shown me in my labor as an ambassador of gospel reggae music.

Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com

GR.com: How did you begin doing music?

Shadrach: I started writing songs and performing in the dancehall scene at the age of thirteen. Sound systems gave me a great platform to express myself. This eventually progressed to stage shows and later recording.

GR.com: Tell me, how did your name come about? Any obstacles with it--funny mispronunciations, etc...?

Shadrach: Since becoming a Christian, from the very beginning I've been through so many trials and obstacles, yet still remain fired up for Christ. Whilst working on the album "Ashes to Ashes", a group of close friends called me Shadrach because I've been through the FIRE and still remain fully committed.

GR.com: What is the most valuable lesson that you learned from your Mom or Dad growing up that you still apply today?

Shadrach: From a very young age my parents always told us (my family) to trust God and trust in Jesus. Applying this to my life has been the greatest thing I could have ever done. It also applies to everyone else in the World.

GR.com: I know that you have written a whole heap of songs in the past, but what's your favorite one? Now, If that is too hard for you to answer, then tell me this; if you spent 5 minutes with an avid reggae fan and only had enough time to play them one of your songs, which one would you play them?

Shadrach: My favorite song would have to be "Born Again", because accepting Christ is the best decision I've ever made and if you listen to the recording, you can hear the passion I had whilst voicing that particular song.

GR.com: Read any good books lately?

Shadrach: I am currently reading a book that will change and revolutionize your life... you guessed it right, it's the Bible.

GR.com: What's your favorite verse in the Bible and why?

Shadrach: I have many favorites but one simple verse comes to mind; Acts 2:21. "Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." I called upon the name Of the Lord in my darkest hour and he came to my rescue and truly saved me. People read these big fat books and fill there heads with useless knowledge walking right past the simple truth. If they would simply call out to Him, they would find the priceless treasure they're searching for.

GR.com: What Bible character do you most identify yourself with?

Shadrach: Definitely Shadrach for his unwavering stance and commitment to whom he believed in. Daniel 3:18 "Let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." He was faithful to God even if it meant his own death.

GR.com: What do you have to say about (or to) artists that started off in the Christian industry (CBA) doing gospel music and now sing secular (mainstream) with a watered down, or ambiguous message?

Shadrach: It saddens me when I see God raise up brilliantly talented musicians in the church and see them abandon ship and give there talents to the wrong cause. For me personally if I'm not singing gospel music I won't be singing anything else SEEEEN!!!!

GR.com: What goes through your mind before you go onstage at the average show?

Shadrach: I've been performing for around twenty years and I still get nervous before I take centre stage sometimes. The blessing in this is when I feel weak God always shows Himself strong and He's never failed me yet. GLORY GLORY GLORY!!!!

Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road??

I really enjoy both to be honest. Putting on the headphones and letting loose in the studio is so much fun and gives me joy. On the other hand, performing in front a live audience is where I really get that natural buzz and I get to express myself and interact with wonderful people.

GR.com: If you could whisper in the ears of youths aspiring to start a music ministry like yours, what would you say?

Shadrach: My first piece of advice would be to pray for God's anointing which gives you that supernatural cutting edge we need as ministers of the gospel.

Be filled with the word and don't compromise or dilute the gospel to please man because we have far to many lukewarm ministers telling people what they want to hear and not what they need to hear. Finally let your life and personal conduct demonstrate that you live what you preach.

GR.com: Why do you do music? What is your primary goal?

Shadrach: I do music because it is such a powerful medium and a great evangelistic tool that can be used to advance the kingdom of God here on earth. God has given me this talent and my desire is to use it to magnify His Holy Holy Holy Name.

GR.com: Are you working on any future projects/releases that we should look out for?

Shadrach: I'm working on my second album that is near completion. I've worked really hard to deliver a timeless limitless album that I hope will bless the listener. There's also a compilation album that I was recently on called "The New Sound Of Gospel" which features artists like Fred Hammond, Deitrick Haddon, Kirk Franklin. Mary Mary and many more. It was put together by Sony BMG and Integrity Music. They contacted me and said they would like to put my song Born Again on the album, so my song is the only genuine reggae song on the whole album. Our God is truly an awesome God!!

GR.com: Could you please give a message to the reggae fans that are reading this and would like to know more about your faith and who Jesus is to you?

Shadrach: There was a time when my life was seriously spiralling out of control. Woman, money, violence and bad company were my passions in life. Someone had upset me and I had actually planned with precision to kidnap him and wipe him off the face of the earth. Amazingly, Jesus stepped in just in time and now I'm saved and sanctified and in my right mind because of His GRACE and MERCY. He's blessed me far beyond my wildest dreams and set my feet on solid ground. If every single Christian decided to reject Jesus and go there own way, I would stand firm and be the only follower of Christ 'til the day I DIE!!! That's how much He means to me.

Ministry

I desire to continually be a fisher of men. To deny myself, take up my cross and follow after Jesus.

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