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Aka Lieutnant Stitchie aka Stitchie aka King Stitchie.
" A gifted lyrical genus, with a superb and unique style combined with a powerful delivery that made his music stood up to the harshest of critics, Cleve “Stitchie” Laing, has been transformed from being one of dancehall’s most acclaimed ion into the love child of Gospel and his amazing abilities only get better by the minute.
Ordained as a Minister of the Gospel, a Psalmist and a born-again Kingdom Citizen whose repertoire is totally dedicated to all things Christ-Like, Stitchie, like the great characters of the bible, had his name changed after conversion by doing away with the “Lieutenant” part of his moniker, which was a throw back to the days when he was king of the dancehall as Lt. Stitchie, The Governor.
As there is now only one General and one Lieutenant in the Army of God, the LORD, JESUS, THE CHRIST, reverenced and worshipped by Stitchie, the former high school teacher who graduated from G.C.Foster College of Physical Education and Sport was destined to teach valuable lessons in the school of life. Stitchie’s conversion was the culmination of two years spent in quiet reflection on his purpose in life and contemplating eternity, shortly after the death of his beloved mother.
It was following on a near-death car crash on the way to perform at Reggae Sumfest in August 1997 and the receipt of a Gideon New Testament Bible from a Canadian Missionary the very night that Stitchie, on returning to his hotel, read the Bible, prayed, asked for forgiveness of his sins and accepted JESUS THE CHRIST as his Saviour.
Now comfortably preaching and teaching the Gospel, Stitchie since his baptism on December 14, 1997, has witnessed the mighty power of God in his career and in every other area of his life and has seen his boundaries enlargened. Inspired by the LORD, motivated and supported by his spiritual father, Dr. Myles Munroe, Stitchie has once again demonstrated his versatility and creativity as an author. Stitchie and his wife Sophia fellowship with the family of God at the Mount Carmel New Life Church of God in Spanish Town, Jamaica, and would occasionally preach the word of God on a Sunday morning when he’s not on tour. Totally consumed by the Gospel, Stitchie feels it vital to surround himself with musicians and singers who are of the same vision; therefore, all the members of his band are Ambassadors for Christ.
Easily and undoubtedly one of the most sort after Gospel Artiste in the genre of reggae and dancehall, Stitchie has a reputation for high energy electrifying performances, excellent stage craft and an effective Kingdom ministry which he has used to reap thousands of souls for the Kingdom of God. Since the year 2000, he has been touring extensively as a headliner and speaker, performing and ministering at gospel concerts, crusades, conferences, street meetings, church services, and various music festivals in the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom, Wales, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Jamaica and many other Caribbean Islands.
Although not one to revel in awards and take any praise unto himself, nevertheless, the excellence of this Bond Servant and Ambassador for Christ has been recognized nationally and internationally since the release of his Reggae/Dancehall gospel album “Real Power”, by various awarding bodies. Among them is the Jamaican Federation of Musicians (J.F.M.) which awarded Stitchie the Best Gospel Artiste in 2001; the Caribbean Gospel Music Awards (Marlin) – Most Outstanding Reggae Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year – “Solid Rock” and Most outstanding Packaging; The Canadian Caribbean Gospel Award for Top Gospel Album in 2002 and again the J.F.M., also in 2002 for the Number One Gospel Artiste in Jamaica and the Caribbean, The French International Caribbean Awards Top Gospel Artiste for 2003, Reggae/Soca Music Award, Song of the Year 2004 – “Fast & Pray”, The Caribbean Gospel Music Awards, New York, for The Caribbean Song of the Year International 2005, “Gospel Reggae” from his second Album “Kingdom Ambassador” and Original Song International 2005; “Gospel Reggae”. Maja Awards, Jamaica, 2006 saw Stitchie receiving two awards namely; The Best Gospel Deejay of the Year and Long Service and Dedication of the Gospel Music Industry.
Stitchie proclaims that one of the main concerns is to live a life according to the principles of the Kingdom that will be an example to others, especially his former neighbours in the garrisons of the inner-city communities where he grew up and his fellow dancehall colleagues
This trendsetter continues to set a blistering pace and since then he has raised the bar in Reggae/Dancehall Gospel Music ten feet higher with his latest release “Real Life Story”. This is an excellent compact, authentic, hardcore Reggae and dancehall rocket bringing an offering of praise and worship, powered by the Holy Spirit, specially designed to reach the unreachable, conquer the invincible, give hope to the hopeless and to rescue those who are lost. The title track “Real Life Story” as a personal testimony of Stitchie’s life story as a youth growing up in the inner-city. The album has seventeen pulsating Reggae/Dancehall bullets aimed at penetrating the kingdom of darkness and empowering those in the Body of Christ. “Real Life Story” addresses real life issues and offers spiritual and practical solutions with rewarding results. The album also contains a lyrical book the one side of the fold out and a militant picture of Stitchie on the other side as a poster. Scripture references for each song have also been embedded on the CD as a digital read out as well as on the fold out of the insert. The presentation and concept of the packaging of the compact disc comprises of a prelude, an interlude and an outerlude. Included in the seventeen songs, there is also a hidden accapella version of “Real Life Story” at the very end of the CD.
“Real Life Story” is another project for Stitchie’s Independent Label – Drum & Bass Music. Producers and Engineers who have credits on the CD include the Grammy Award Winners Barry O’Hare, Michael Fuller, Shane Brown, Delroy “Fatta” Pottinger and others such as Colin “Bulby” York, Roland “Rollie McDermott and Don McDowell, in addition to Reggae’s number one producer, Bobby “Digital” Dixon.
Stitchie has also pioneered a completely new path in the history of Reggae Music, by becoming the first Dancehall Artiste to write and publish a book entitled “The Power of Determination”, his autobiography, for global distribution. " - www.kingstitchie.com
