A little over a week since being named the 2023 Jamaica Gospel Star, Oral Lawson is still basking in his achievement and has indicated plans to launch a full EP in the coming year.

 

Lawson won the title at the Grand Final of the Jamaica Gospel Star Competition that was held at the National Arena on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. The event formed part of a slate of Jamaica 61 Independence events, organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.  

 

Along with the one-million-dollar prize money, Lawson, who goes by the stage name “Suite Boss”, will receive a series of voice training and the opportunity to release a (musical) single with an accompanying music video.

 

“I really relish getting the exposure [in the music industry] …  I have been doing music for a while now, going into studio doing work and jingles…When I heard about the Gospel Star Competition, I thought here is the opportunity to get the ‘Oral Lawson’ brand out there, to let persons know how I minister, and I believe this is the season. My voice is now out there and the audience has been giving really good feedback and they want more.” Lawson said.

 

“Short-term, the goal is to work on the single and video with the JCDC. Long term is to get more music out here there. I have a single called Soldiers for Christ and another called Harvest both with my church Brother Delly. We have been doing some work together and we are going to be pushing those tracks out,” the 32-year-old Lawson explained.

 

“An EP might be easier to do than an album, so I am working on an EP, and something called my story ...even if it's six tracks. The goal is to get my first album out close to the end of 2024 …close to my birthday when I will be 34 years old.  I will be 33 in November 2023.” Lawson, who is also a motivational speaker, toastmaster, singer, songwriter, and keyboardist, added.

 

The Jamaica Gospel Star Competition is a rebrand of the Jamaica Gospel Song Competition. Unlike its predecessor, which focused on finalists performing and building momentum for an original song, Jamaica Gospel Star contestants performed cover songs in a weekly televised performance show. Ten finalists competed and after each performance show, the decision who to eliminate was based on a 50/50 split between the at-home audience and the judges' scores. Judges brought back Lawson using the Saved by Grace Feature as he was voted out after episode two.