5 Questions With Johnmark Wiggan

Last Saturday night, a smiling Johnmark Wiggan happily made his way to centre stage when his name was called to accept the award for Collaboration of the Year. The odds of him winning that particular category were definitely in his favour. He had two of the four nominations in the category – Jesus is the Rock with Ryan Mark and Nuh More Dan Wi with Prince Saj. He won for the latter, a song that is hugely popular and “tun ova di place” when the singers performed it. In total, he had a whopping eight nominations across four categories.

Born in Jamaica to parents Claudette Reid and Pete Wiggan, Johnmark migrated to Antigua at age five to live with his father. His bio states that he grew up in church on firm principles from his father, and his musical journey began by experiencing the inspirational sounds of the gospel in church. “When I was 18, I knew God was calling me to music and he pointed my gift to his direction. I want to live a life committed to God … where I can impact others and help them to be successful,” Wiggan said. This week, 5 Questions With ... places the spotlight on Johnmark Wiggan.

1. How do you feel about winning Collab of the Year for the song with Prince Saj?

I’m grateful to God, trust mi. Based on audience feedback, we were hoping for something. But its really the people’s award. We went live when we were talking about some of our rough experiences that we had in going out and ministering, and being treated less than as gospel artistes championing the cause. And, we said ‘People wha’ oonu wah hear inna di song’. And dem seh ‘Blessings fi a flow ... di devil nuh have nuh hol’ pon we.’ We wanted young people especially, who are struggling to choose whether or not they should go to Christ, to know that they are more when they choose Christ. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. You are more when you choose Christ. That’s the anthem that we wanted to give them. That’s the anthem that they are singing now. So this award is the icing on the top.

2. Tell us about the experience which led to the creation of the winning song ‘Nuh More Dan Wi’.

It was one of the secular shows that ‘give gospel a chance’ and when we got there, it was like they didn’t want us to use the waiting area. When it was my time to go on stage, I heard somebody else singing, so I asked what was happening. Well, that artiste’s manager said his artiste had to go on now and the stage manager allowed it. This is after [the] stage manager, who told me ‘I would like to stick to the schedule if you don’t mind’, when I asked if I could go [on] earlier. I went to him and asked, ‘how come we not sticking to the schedule?’ His supervisor said, ‘Because you guys are nicer.’ All I heard in that moment was her saying, ‘We see God on you. We see that you are a little more patient ... a little more kind and we took advantage of that.’ Nuh More Dan Wi was born out of that experience.

3. What has the year been like since you won Album of the Year at Sterling Gospel Awards in 2024?

That album was titled Validation ... and it has been an absolute excellent year. The reception has been great. I have grown a lot, had the opportunity to go on different stages, and to bring that message further. And it has just been an honour to be recognised by Sterling. Regardless, we would have gone again, but that encouragement pushes you. So, we take that push, and we go again, and we champion the cause for the gospel.

4. What can fans look forward to next?

Concerts are coming up. I want you guys to come out to Emancipation Park on October 16 for the Credit Unions of Jamaica gospel concert. It is free. I am working on a new album now, so look out for it come March 2026. The new album is called By Fire.

5. What is your message to all who you meet along the way, and how do you define success?

First of all: Serve God and love him with all your heart and all your soul and all your might and all your energy. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path. [The] ultimate success is to hear ‘ Well done though good and faithful servant.’ Success for me also is when I’m able to make other people successful. So if it’s making money or being highly influential it’s about whether or not that influence or money is being used to impact someone’s life in a way that they are able to provide for themselves or to come up to a place where they can also be influential.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com