From a very young age, Samuel Medas realised that his life was going to lead him in a purposeful direction. And taking him along that journey would be his unquestionably melodious voice and adoration for God and gospel music.
In fact, Medas told the News Room that it was at a Sunday School rally in Georgetown where he actually discovered his talent. He said, “I opened my mouth to sing on stage and saw the faces of the many people in the audience change immediately. I was like six or seven years old at the time.”
Since that memorable occasion, the 28-year-old has been reading and researching intensely on how to sharpen his skills. He has since performed in Suriname, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, Antigua, St. Kitts and the USA.
In his interview with the News Room (NR), the talented Gospel singer provided a front seat view into his life, the plans he has for his music career and his recent win at a regional music award ceremony.
NR: Is Gospel music the only genre that you perform and record?
Samuel Medas (SM): Yes. I’m a Christian so I believe that my spiritual and moral conviction and my calling should influence what comes forth from me. As a musician, producer and genuine lover of the arts, I appreciate every single genre and form of music, but I believe I’ve been called to spread the hope and loves that comes through knowing Jesus, through my music.
NR: You recently received several prestigious awards in the Caribbean. Do tell us what they were for and what the experience was like for you?
SM: I received seven nominations from the Marlin Caribbean Gospel Music Awards. The actual award ceremony was held in the Bahamas. I attended, and of the seven nominations, of which I was going up against some of the Caribbean’s most prominent and respected names in gospel music, I still brought home the coveted New Artist of the Year Award. I’m the first Guyanese to be nominated and first to win a Marlin Award
NR: What was that experience like for you?
SM: The experience was surreal. Not just getting the award but the whole weekend of rubbing shoulders with all these different artists and producers and industry professionals. A lot of new connections were made which is especially good for me and Guyana since one of our major issues is getting our work past the shores of Guyana. I even shared the same stage with Sunday’s Best Winner, American Gospel Singer Geoffery Golden who happened to be on the island that same weekend.
NR: What do you enjoy the most about performing gospel music?
SM: What I enjoy most is being a role model and knowing that God has put me in a prominent position where I have the opportunity to positively impact my generation – to know that because of my music somebody is being encouraged not to lose faith and to hold their head up high… to decide not to end their lives. Every week my inbox is filled with testimonies.
NR: What advice do you have for someone who is interested in starting A Gospel music career?
SM: Go right ahead. People told me to leave music alone; that there’s no future for me in music. If I listened to them, then I won’t be here today. Not because something has never been done, or because others have failed before, means it’s impossible. You just might be the person to finally get it right.
NR: What plans do you have for your singing career in the future?
SM: I have Europe and Africa on my mind. I want to do a world tour and travel with my Generation Upright Band and singers. Even though I love the stage, as of late I’ve also been finding joy in being a producer… just being in studio and making music for other people. So at some point, I believe that’s going to become a greater part of my life – producing.
NR: How do you balance spending time with your family and developing your career?
SM: I have a wife, and she’s passionate about the arts too so most of the time, where I go she goes. And that makes it easy for me cause it’s not like we’re pulling and tugging. We don’t have children just yet so I haven’t yet encountered daddy issues as yet. The people I consider “family” are the folks in my music circle, and they make life very easy for me.
NR: What has been your greatest accomplishment to date in this field?
SM: My three Albums produced over the past four years. I think they’re a testimony to my passion for music and of the excellence I strive for.
NR: What would you like to share with the Guyanese society about what makes your work unique and the man behind it?
SM: That’s a tough one. Apart from the excellent production, thanks to my band and my engineer Vijay Deolall of Paradigm Recording Studio, I think the one thing that makes my music stand out is the anointing on it. I believe God favours the work I’m doing, and he’s put his presence on it as a seal of approval. Without that, I think my music would be just another … thing.
NR: What other business ventures/interests do you have if any?
SM: I recently started teaching music as a way of perpetuating knowledge. God forbid, if I leave the scene for any reason, it must be said of me that I poured myself into others.
NR: What saying or philosophy do you live by?
SM: It is better to play a small part in a big thing, than to play a big part in a small thing.
