The year 2008 was one of many challenges, and it was also the year when reggae/gospel artiste Prodigal Son was tried and tested and his mettle strengthened in the fire. During it all, the gospel deejay kept in the race, determined to make the year a memorable one musically. And, if his nominations by various awarding bodies are anything to go by, then it can be said that Prodigal Son definitely enjoyed a good season last year.

Nomination

Here in Jamaica, the artiste has been nominated in the Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards (EMEs), the Youth View Awards, RETV Awards and the Irie FM Awards. And in the Bahamas, Prodigal Son has eight nominations in that island's Marlin Awards.

"I am just happy to see that all the hard work that I put in last year is being recognised," the artiste said about the nominations.

"There is a lot more work to be done and I have a mission to accomplish," he said.

Prodigal, however, is especially happy at the attention his edgy, thought-provoking song, Head Cyaan Hot So has been getting in secular circles.

Grateful

"The response has been excellent," he said. "It's almost too good to be true. I am not one of those artistes who can complain that secular people don't accept gospel. The song has been receiving crazy play all over radio and in the dancehall and I am grateful. This song has a real message and it cuts across all barriers," he explained.

To kick-start his touring season, Prodigal leaves for Belize in February and in March he sets off to Sierra Leone, Africa, where he has been invited by an overseas music ministry to give his musical testimony. "It will be my first time in Africa and while it will be a joy. There is also some amount of cautious anticipation, as you don't really know what to expect," he confessed.