While acknowledging the influence of a ‘higher power’ in his life – Saint Lucia gospel artiste Emrand Henry continues to blaze the trail in entertainment circles- as he secured two awards at a recently held Gospel Music and Media Awards, which took place in Antigua.
Reports state that ‘it was a big night’ for the internationally recognised artiste who has been making waves in the wider circles.
Henry captured the Best Gospel Soca award for his single “Shift the Atmosphere” and Regional Artist of the decade.
He was nominated in four categories, Regional Artist of the decade, International Psalmist of the year, Psalmist of the year, and Regional Artist of the decade.
The Antigua Barbuda Gospel Music & Media Awards is a Global Award Ceremony established in 2015 by So Arise Music International with over 30 Categories to date. It affords Gospel Music & Media creatives the opportunity to be rewarded by professionals in the industry and fans around the world.
In expressing gratitude for the magnitude of his work and that his music is being recognized at such a high level, Henry declared : “As a Saint Lucian I am very proud to represent my island all over the world, all over the Caribbean at such a high level so I just want to thank God.”
Henry began his lyrical sojourn from and early age, leading him to pen his first tune in standard II, a love song dedicated to a girl he had a crush on. At age thirteen, he dedicated his life to God and started singing seriously in church.
Cognizant of the challenges that a young artiste had to pursue and desirous of reaching out to secular youth, Emrand started to concentrate on writing Reggae Gospel.
He gradually won over the youth of his church, who could not understand his secular thrust at first. He later gained experience singing in church in Trinidad, and other shows in St Lucia.
He released his first album called A New Song In 2003, after he was declared the winner of the first-ever Cable & Wireless Star Quest.
He also released a single in 2004 called Revolution, another in 2005 called Still Standing and two in 2006 called In or Out and Lion of Judah.
“My inspiration comes from things that I go through in life….God has been good to me,” he declared.