With so much negative and worldly pop music around us, it is refreshing to tune in to the sounds of our brother Rizon as he crusades for positive music in the Caribbean and around the world. His recently released album, Higher Level is available now on iTunes.
Shane “Rizon” Gibson is from the Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago church where he was baptized in 1999 as a teenager. His local CD release party in January of this year drew approximately 900 people throughout the nation of islands. You might have seen him as a featured performer at the singles and campus conferences at the 2013 Discipleship Summit in San Antonio where he also appeared on the main stage at the AT&T Center.
Evangelist Tony Millet from Trinidad and Tobago talked about how one of the songs on the album, “Taking It Back” embodies Shane’s message. Music came from God, belongs to him, and we should give back the keys, the melodies and harmonies, and lyrics to him. Tony said, “ Shane is very focused and driven. You aren’t going to stop Shane from doing things he wants—and doing it with a great and godly attitude.”
About his album, Higher Level, Rizon said, “The album for me is a musical celebration about what God is doing in my life. He has truly taken me higher and continues to lift me up. I hope the album inspires disciples of Christ to dig deeper and go higher in their walks with God. I hope that the album also draws in those who may not have a relationship with God and cause them to make serious decisions about their lives.”
“Making Decisions” is indeed a focus of the album and one if its tracks. Leading with the lines, “I refuse to leave as I came. I refuse to remain the same. Lord, for you there is nothing I won’t change,” this song call us to draw deeper devotion to God. Rizon calls it a “reflective and Hillsong-esque song that reminds us that our relationship with God is not a matter of emotions but a matter of decisions.”
Shane has been a disciple for almost 16 years, having been baptized in the teen ministry of the Port of Spain Church of Christ, Trinidad and Tobago. He has been married to his wife, Susan, for eight years. A fellow classmate met him in school and invited him out to a “Bring Your Neighbor Day” service. “I was blown away by everything; the love in the fellowship, the singing, and especially, the sermon,” he remembers. He began serving in the worship ministry when he left the teen ministry for the singles ministry.
Rizon is unashamed of the gospel and uses socially relevant lyrics addressing sexual abuse, crime, abstinence and martial faithfulness. The “No Entry” campaign is an example of how he uses his talents and music to shape the world around him—the idea of positive music. He said, “My heart for the youth and my ability to merge music, with life changing projects has had a major impact in my homeland.” One of the campaign’s major objectives is an active confrontation of child abuse. This campaign drew overwhelming support and participation throughout Trinidad and Tobago without any advertising via the conventional mediums. The highlight of this campaign came with the international exposure and usage of ‘No Entry’ in various corners of the world including the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. The song also encouraged Christians to take a radical stance against sin and sexual impurity.
Standing up for tough issues that other artists might avoid has not held back his career. Rizon said, “The No Entry Campaign is just one of the reasons why I am sought after by secular realm as well as the churches in my country. I am known for dealing with the issues that affect our society at large.”
And Rizon’s career is taking off. In 2014, he traveled throughout the Caribbean in a month long Caribbean Gospel Tour entitled the “Sons Of Thunder Tour.” Stops included Anguilla, St. Maarten, Jamaica and St. Kitts. In July, he won two awards at the Marlin Gospel Music Awards, Best Music Video Of the Year Award for his song, “No Entry,” and Dance Recording of the Year for the hit song, “Higher Level.” The Marlin Awards, held at the International Diplomatic Center in Nassau, Bahamas was established to recognize and honor outstanding achievement in Caribbean gospel music.
He recently returned to Trinidad from the United Kingdom from a tour entitled God Time Now, hosted by Artiste Hub UK and Flow Masters. The tour included performances in Leeds, Birmingham and London. Rizon has opened for US-based Grammy Award winning and Stellar Award winning gospel artistes, Tye Tribbet and Jonathon McReynolds. He is planning a Japan tour in 2016.
In addition to his career in the music industry, Shane has served in the Trinidad and Tobago Church worship and kids ministries. He formerly led the campus ministry and sometimes preaches on Sundays. Tony, his evangelist said, “Shane and Susan are a great a couple, great examples, and well looked up to in the church. Shane is highly disciplined with his time and spirituality because his career demands it. He is always ready and willing to sing one of his songs.”
Shane is also pursuing his Master’s degree in counseling. As he is often called on to speak in schools from primary grades through college, he wants to be able to better address the many complex issues facing youth. “I take my calling seriously. I wish to be as effective as I can,” he said
Shane’s album, Higher Level is available at iTunes or Amazon Music.
Find out more from Rizon and his music: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website
