Disc jockey Ricardo Ellis takes gospel leap of faith
Disc jockey Ricardo Ellis spins under the alias Deejay Sticko, and has worked with gospel artistes such as Kevin Downswell and Chozenn.
Last year, he took a leap of faith when he decided to add recording artiste to his list of musical exploits. At that time, he revealed that his sole purpose would be to edify others. Staying true to that mandate, the entertainer has released his second single, Betta Days, as he encourages listeners to look towards a brighter future. In an interview with Gospel Spotlight,
the disc jock-turned-artiste expressed that with so much negativity looming in the atmosphere, it is easy to become frustrated and depressed. But he wants people to be encouraged that joy is on the horizon.
COPING MECHANISM
Betta Days, like my previous single, Go Hard, is a true story. It came from a place of frustration, feeling like things will never get better no matter how hard I tried. But even through the process of thinking so, I still managed to encourage myself. When you listen to the second verse of the track, you will hear me speaking positively over my life as well others,” he said.
“Music is what is keeping us together in these times and helping us to cope. Music is that vehicle that not only brings us together but keeps us going.”
Admitting that he was quite the rambunctious child growing up, Deejay Sticko said he felt the urge to do a complete 180-degree turn in his life. That decision, he said, not only influenced the type of music he ended up producing, and then recording, but also his regular 9-to-5 job.
“I’m a social worker and electrical and instrumentation technician. I love to see people excel and do great. I love to help people to believe in themselves. It can be hard but I find pleasure in talking to youths. This came from me being a rude, rebellious and bitter child,” he said. “I didn’t have much role model around and so I’m seeking to be what I never had.”
Although having transitioned smoothly from disc jock to recording artiste, Deejay Sticko says he is not looking to saturate the music space. Instead, he is keen on taking things one step at a time.
“One of the biggest lessons I have learnt on this journey so far is that who you expect to support you will not, but those who you least expect will, and so I am not worried about the future. I am just going to continue putting in the work and watch it do the rest,” he said.