Daniel "Centertainer" Osbie Speaks with Associated Content

Spoken word events have been around for years. I recall the first time I went to one in the 90's. It was at a small coffee house in Virginia. Everyone had on their black artist gear with those cute little French hats. Although I enjoyed the artistic expression of it all, it wasn't my favorite form of entertainment. However, I had a change of heart when I came across an Artist called Daniel Osbie in Atlanta, Georgia. Daniel's personality was bigger than life!

Daniel was performing at an event in North Georgia called Out of the Mouth Speaks North. It's an event that's held once a month at a local venue and includes Spoken artist, singers, dancers and poets from all over Georgia. Daniel's show was so different. He had the whole package. He danced a little, played a little and made us laugh a lot. It's no wonder one of the names he goes by is Daniel Osbie, the Centertainer. Today I caught up with Daniel and we're going to learn more about the man, his passion, ministry and vision.

YAHOO: Good afternoon Daniel! How are you?

DO: Blessed and Sanctifunky!!!! Thank you for asking!!

YAHOO: I want to give our audience a glimpse into Daniel the man. So tell us where you are from and how you grew up.

DO: I was born in Atlanta GA and Grew Up in Decatur GA, a small city just outside of Atlanta. I grew up as a preachers kid and raised in the church in a single parent home. I grew up among the old school mothers and missionaries of the church and my mother was the pastor. I didn't grow up rich by a long shot but my mother worked hard to ensure that I had what I needed and most of what I wanted. I was raised every morning getting up and having mini praise services in the house and you could not leave my house without getting prayed for and anointed with oil. A very loving yet strict household. I was not allowed to date until 16, no secular music in the house until I was about grown, the traditional Christian/African American upbringing.

YAHOO: When did you know you had a special gift to entertain? And where did the name "Centertainer" come from?

DO: WOW! I have been in love with the stage and entertaining as long as I can remember. I was singing in the school chorus in the second grade and participated in numerous school plays by the third grade. I remember I was in every band my high school had and my mother had a strict policy that whatever you could do at school for man you WOULD do at church for God. Therefore I played drums and piano at church, led praise service, participated in every church play we had. I have always enjoyed it, it has always given me a since of pride and purpose. I was not the straight A student in school so Entertainment gave me something that I could excel in. As for the name "Centertainer" God gave me that just a few weeks ago. I am a big guy and and I love to wear suits and hats, so naturally people like to compare you to other people. I always get that I resemble Cedric "The Entertainer" which is funny because we look nothing alike. However, I was sitting at home and it hit me that I could make that work for me. As a believer in Christ I believe if I'm doing poetry dancing, playing, whatever, Christ should be the center of whatever I am doing on stage so that's where the whole "Centertainer" concepts came from.

YAHOO: How did your environment affect your passion to entertain?

DO: Well a great deal of young people in my community wanted to go the thug route, even within the entertainment. I wanted to bring a sense of realness and a transparency to entertainment but I also wanted to bring enjoyment and fun back to entertainment. When people really enjoyed doing what they were doing and it was more than just a paycheck or a way to get back at people they don't like. Many people in my area who get into entertainment do it to prove something. Other than proving the existence and love of God I have nothing really to prove! I just love it.

YAHOO: I have seen you not only perform, but minister. When did you first know you had a call on your life? How did you answer that call?

DO: It was prophesied early to me in life that I would be a preacher. My mother has told me stories of people coming up to her and prophesying to her that I would be a preacher while I was still in diapers in her arms. I think I became fully aware of the call when I was twelve. I was leading a praise service and I could not quit speaking. It was as if there was someone behind me saying "say this, say that" and I could not hush that voice nor my own. When I knew I was to preach I ran from it heavily. Especially considering that I was tired of being called church boy, and lame and all other types of names you get called in school. So I tried to be something that I wasn't to avoid this task. I got involved with gangs and thugs trying to change my image but you can't run from what and who God has created you to be. I got in some major trouble as a result of my actions and I told God if you get me out of this, I will do what you want me to do. He kept his end of the deal and I have been ministering consistently since I was 16 years old.

YAHOO: Has your family been supportive of your dream?

DO: Very much so, but I have learned that your family is not always those who are related by blood. I have been given a very out the box ministry and that is hard for some people, blood, or otherwise to accept. However, my mother and her sister are my biggest supporters, even if it does not appeal to their taste (smile). And I have some very supportive friends who encourage me to keep pushing.

YAHOO: Tell our readers about your latest recorded project and how they can purchase a copy.

DO: God has blessed me to record two projects. My first one is "Confessions of a Former Sellout". God allowed me to do all the writing, production and I played every instrument. Artistically it is a celebration of all forms of African American music, spiritually it is a reflection of Life from a Christian view point. I speak on everything from Abstinence to the love of money. My second Project is a mix tape titled "Reality Shows Volume 1. In this project I used other well known produced music so that I could concentrate heavily on the message. I touch on some very heavy subjects that include pornography, hypocrisy in the church, family structure and love. I also confront my struggles and wrong doing on this project because I feel as Christians we need to become more transparent and stop leading people to believe that we have it all together when in fact even as leaders and public figures we struggle and mess up. Sometimes we mess up more so than those who are not in a so called "high place". I am in the process of setting up on-line distribution but for now if you'd like to purchase a product, please do so by going to my website www.danielosbie.com. You can purchase one for $7 or both for $10.

YAHOO: Daniel. What is your vision for the future for your Entertainment Company?

DO: First and foremost I want to see lives changed. I want people to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. I want them to understand that Jesus is not a strict disciplinarian who stands ready to take all of your joy and excitement away. I want to show that He is a loving caring spirit who wants to love you where you are but take you higher and root you deeper in Him. I want people to listen to my music and come to my shows and realize that you can still worship God in the way that He has given you no matter how different it may be. I want to dispel the myth that Christian entertainment is second class. We are just as gifted, just as creative, just as entertaining if not more so than non-inspirational artists. We just have a deeper sense of purpose and urgency. I want the masses to see what God allows this Sanctifunk movement to do and understand that it had to be God because man can not elevate you to that point. if I can make a nice piece of money doing that, then that is a bonus (laughing).

YAHOO: How can people connect with you on-line?

DO: Again people can check out the website www.danielosbie.com hit me on Facebook www.facebook.com/danielosbieprodigalsonofsoul as well as you tube, and myspace if anybody is left on there (laughing).

YAHOO: As a man of God and overall gifted artist. What advice would you give those that have the gift of entertainment, but want to use it to glorify the Kingdom of God?

DO: Remember why you do it and who you do it for!!! I love to say that there is nothing like doing what you love for who you love. I love entertainment, I love God and I love his people. We must remember we are in it to glorify God and edify and uplift his people, not to have facebook friends and groupies. We must remember our commission and our focus. Key scriptures that Christian entertainers should remember are "Be Not weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap if you faint not" and "Be faithful over few and He will make you ruler over many". You must be willing to go before five before you can go before 5,000.

YAHOO: Daniel. It has been my great pleasure to speak with you today and I wish you much success in all you do. Thank you for your time.

DO: Thank you so much for the opportunity. God bless and stay Sanctifunky!!!