Todah

Artist Name Todah
Birth Name Jason Ryan O'Neil
Birth Place And Date Arima Trinidad W.I. October 1976
Official Bio Being The Fifth Of Six Children Born To Lennox And Hyacinth O' Neil And Growing Up In One Of The Toughest Communities In Trinidad Jason's Parents Ensured That He Was Involved In Church At A Tender Age. After Avoiding The Influence Of Drugs Gangs And Violence Through Much Of His Teenage Years By Being Heavily Involved In Church His Love For Singing And Writing Was Birthed As His Relationship With Jesus Christ Deepened. In 1997 'Todah' Co-Founded One Of The Most Renowned Gospel Groups In Trinidad "Melchizedek Order" Of Which He Was A Lead Vocalist. His Unique Style Integrates His Faith And The Authentic Rhythms Of The Caribbean. The Fusion Of Issue-Addressing Lyrics Alongside Pulsating Rhythms Of Soca Reggae Rapso And Dancehall Was The Main Signature Of The Group And Catapulted Them Into Winning The "Best New Artist" Award In The Trinidad And Tobago Music Awards In 1999. Later That Year At The Bahamian Marlin Caribbean Awards The Group Was Awarded The "Most Outstanding Group Vocal Performance" For Their Album "Triumph In The Midst Of Babylon." Melchizedek Order's Ministry Was Not Only Limited To Concerts But It Extended To School And Street Ministry Reaching Out To Young People In All Sectors Of The Community. "Todah" Migrated To The U.S.A. In 2000 Where He Has Since Been Featured On Several Album Compilations In Connection With Christafari's Loin Of Zion Recording Label. He Has Also Shared The Stage With Ministers Such As Broadway Boys International Tiko Angelos Mr. Mention Gita Dan Sherwin Gardner Monty G Issac Blackman Prodigal Son Stichie And Kirk Franklin Just To Name A Few And Has Ministered In The Caribbean And Extensively Across Trinidad And Tobago. His Desire To Execute God's Purpose Through Music Burns In His Heart Stronger Than Before As He Strives To Bring The Love Of God To The World Reaching People At Their Point Of Spiritual And Physical Need. Exclusive Interview With GospelReggae.Com
GR How Did You Begin Doing Music? Todah Well I've Always Loved Music But One Experience Really Started My Desire. In My Mid Teens My Cousin Had A Music Programme In Church An She Had Me Sing In The Choir And Do A Rap Song With One Of My Friends.. That Was Like A Catalyst For Me To Begin Doing Music That Represents Jesus Christ. GR Tell Me How Did Your Name Come About? Any Obstacles With It--Funny Mispronunciations Etc…? Todah My Friend Who Co-Founded Melchizedek Order With Me...We Were Invited To Sing In A Concert Hosted By The Group 'Culture Rammers' They Advised Us To Get A Group Name And To Name Ourselves Individually So We Prayed About It.. My Friend Darryl He Came Up With The Group Name 'Melchizedek Order' And I Decided On 'Todah'..Which Means To Praise God As A Sacrifice...Or To Give Thanks. GR 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? Todah Well.. That Song Would Be God Is Real.. It's One Of The First Songs I Wrote. I Just Love Its Message. GR 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? Todah Well..I Don't Know... To Each His Own .. Lol I'm Not The Type To Judge..Even Though From The Question It's Obvious That The Person Has Stepped Back From What He Or She Believes...One Thing I Know For Sure Is That We All Have To Give An Account To God For What We Do. GR As Christians God Is Of Course Our True Inspiration But Beyond The Generic Response Of "Jesus " What Are Your Muses In Your Life For Lack Of A Better Word ? For Example What Are The People Places Or Things That Trigger A Fresh Musical Idea And Ultimately A New Song For You? Todah Honestly Life Inspires Me.. The Word Of God.. Family..Music..Travel..Just Being In A Different Place 'limin' With Friends Or Something You Hear On The News Or See On Television Or A Situation You Might Find Yourself In Or See Others Going Through. GR What Has Been Your Lowest Moment So Far In Life? Todah When I Migrated To The US.. Lol .. No.. That Was A Good Thing... But Leaving My Wife Who Was My Girl Friend At The Time.. Family ..Close Friends And The Group...That Was Really Tough. GR What Has Been Your Highest Moment? Todah When I Got Married And The Birth Of My Daughter. I Cried Like A Baby For Both.. Lol GR Can You Name Three Things That You Wish You Knew When You First Got Started Doing Music? Todah Well...Where Can I Start..I Wish I Had A Better Understanding Of The Music Industry.. I Still Wish To...You Know Copyright And Royalties Publishing..That Would've Prevented A Whole Lot Of Mistakes..Another Would Be How To Write Music In The Sense Of Song Structure To Get The Message Across And Just How To Be A Better Steward Of This Gift God Has Blessed Me With. GR What Country Would You Tour Even If You Didn't Get Paid To Perform ? Todah Africa..The Mother Land.. Lol For Sure. GR What Goes Through Your Mind Before You Go Onstage At The Average Show? Todah Honestly I Get Really Nervous.. No Matter How Many Times I've Been Onstage. I Always Desire To Speak The Truth Represent Jesus Christ..To Encourage Someone To Serve Christ And Just To Be A Vessel Fit For The Master's Use. GR If You Could Whisper In The Ears Of Youths Aspiring To Start A Music Ministry Like Yours What Would You Say? Todah Knowledge..Knowledge..Knowledge..People Perish For The Lack Of Knowledge..Well Wisdom Knowledge And Understanding. Educate Yourself About All Aspects Of The Industry.. I'm Not Saying To Be A Control Freak Or Anything Like That.. Lol But Know What's Going On And Why. Talk To Others Involved In Music And Ask For Advice.. You Know The Word Of God Says In The Multitude Of Counsellors There Is Safety. GR Are You Working On Any Future Projects/releases That We Should Look Out For? Todah Yes..Upcoming Studio Album 'Christ Is My Salvation' .. Actually Debut Solo Album.. Lol .. After All This Time..Thank You Jesus!. It Will Be Released In 2009 And I've Already Officially Released Two Singles 'Christian Anthem' And 'Your Word/Like Ah Lamp' Both Produced By Mark 'Jah Servant' Giles. Let Me Say Thanks For The Opportunity! Christ Peace. Ministry
I Believe With All My Heart That God Has Called Me To Declare His Word In Music First To The Church And Then To The World. read less