Rapper Lucas Musiq declares his difference from gospel music colleagues. Not only is the 24-year-old fusing other genres with dancehall and reggae, but he also uses his virginity as part of his ministry.

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer recently, Lucas Musiq said it is not deliberate, putting his purity on show.

“People keep talking about this ‘virgin boy, virgin boy’ I used to say it but I don’t need to say it anymore because I know who I am,” he said. “If I am led to minister about it I will, but it’s not something I get up and brag and boast about, not that anything is wrong with being a virgin anyway.”

Though Lucas was raised in a Christian home, he did not always walk the straight and narrow.

Four years ago, he was a rebellious youngster —drinking, smoking and performing as a secular act under the moniker T-Zone. He even produced songs for Vybz Kartel and Black Rhyno.

But all that has changed.

“A prophet came to me in 2014 and said he had an anointing to bestow on me from God, but said I wouldn’t be ready for it until 2015. He said,’trust me you’re going to change’, and I never believed him because I enjoyed what I was doing in the secular world; yah mek money and there was the enjoyment,” he stated.

He testified that in 2015 his dream of a rapture in Jamaica brought him to repent.

“Dem seh mi woulda turn back but mi never turn back. It’s a rocky road though. It’s not easy, trust me…”

Lucas Musiq’s given name is Shacquille Wedderburn. He has one gospel album under his belt ( Not From Here, released in 2016) and is preparing to release his sophomore set, The Process, next year.

“The first album was successful but I wasn’t all that groomed,” he admitted. “I’ve learnt a lot from the first album, as in the way I deliver and the way I put words together. The first album also targeted youngsters; this one’s hitting everybody. I’m doing reggae, hip hop, worship, African, EDM — everything.”

The project will have 14 tracks, co-produced by Lucas Musiq and American producer Daniel Cruz.

“I wanna be huge. I am drawn to young people and if yah come to young people yuh cyaan do the same old same old. I bring something new to the table. I wanna be a very inspirational person to people all over the world; I want to earn Grammys too. And I want to just help people and give back,” he said.