Members of the gospel community in Jamaica were hoping 2009 would be a year of transformation for the local industry, a time for rebuilding the sector. But with less than a month gone in the new year, the gospel industry has been hit by tragedy, and is now mourning the loss of one of its influential sons.

Reformed deejay Kassim 'Moses' Grant was found dead Tuesday morning in a river-bed in the Gordon Town area of rural St Andrew, the result of a fatal fall, police speculate. It has not been confirmed, however, if the 28-year-old artiste was thrown to his death or committed suicide.

Moses in performance at the 2009 Genesis gospel showcase at the National Stadium Car Park in Kingston on New Year's Day.

Singer Kerron Ennis said she fell ill when she heard the news.

"It's very sad. When I heard the news I felt so sick. Losing someone out of the gospel sector is not a pretty thing," Ennis said. "I think it shows that as gospel artistes we go through our troubles. Even though we are gospel artistes, we should be seen as humans too. We have our personal struggles and we also need support and prayer like everyone else."
Speaking with the Observer by the river-side, DJ Nicholas was beside himself with grief.

"We were hoping it was not true. But we saw his body," he said. "What [this] has pushed me to do, is to be my brothers' keeper. To know exactly what is happening in each others' world."

New artiste Teena Tamara was also grief-stricken.
"The last time I spoke with him was two weeks ago when all the gospel artistes met at Danny Brownie's house. I am in a state of shock right now. It hurts deep to know that someone has gone this way. It is very, very trying," she said.

"Moses was to come to my studio session [Tuesday] morning. It's very sad," said Brownie, who heads Mainstreet Records, and has launched the careers of several popular gospel deejays.

Moses released the 2005 album Testify and was finishing up his sophomore project. The owner of Mo-Muzik Entertainment Limited, an artiste management and production company, his most popular singles include Salvation Story and When Di Thunder Roll.

Last June, he put on the immensely successful Exodus gospel showcase at the National Stadium Car Park in Kingston, which featured a performance from American gospel superstar Kirk Franklin. Proceeds went to local charities.

In an interview with the Observer then, the deejay urged the local Christian community to step up its work in Jamaica.

"I am not seeing that passion that the church should have in these times. A lot more needs to be done," he said. "We, as the church, have a mission, so we need to show that. There are so many issues to be addressed. We need to pour more into the kingdom."

BY TYRONE S REID Observer staff writer