With Sights Set On Broad Audience, Recording Artist With Local Roots Drops Inspirational Single

ST. CROIX — Born in Tampa Florida and currently working at Speak the Word Ministries here as the church’s worship leader, Anthony Mareo — both his parents are St. Kitts immigrants who lived on St. Croix most of their lives — has deep roots in the Caribbean. So it’s no wonder that Mr. Mareo has cultivated a sound all his own.

While other artists try to keep up with latest trends in music and follow a path that is already carved, Mr. Mareo has forged ahead with music that he says stays true to his faith, the foundation of which understands Jesus Christ as the Son of God and only way to salvation, and yet manages to reach a broad audience, which he says keeps in line with the great commission.

“My music is still solid Christian, but my approach is different,” Mr. Mareo told The Consortium during an interview at Speak the World Ministries on Monday. “I want to be able to speak on topics that normal, everyday people are going through. You don’t always have to scream out Jesus to get your point across, even though the end result is the hope of Jesus Christ.”

Mr. Mareo describes his music — some of which are specifically targeted to a younger audience — as crossover material that is generally catered to everyone looking for inspiration in life.

The 25-year-old writes and produces his own music, and got his start in the industry at 16. His latest single, Stunning Waterfalls, is a song that seeks to encourage people who are having difficulty in life to persevere through adversity. Eventually, he says, as they continue to strive, success will be achieved.

“The song is basically telling people don’t look on the left or the right, keep their eyes on the prize, and that hope that is found in Jesus Christ. So it’s a metaphor for a picture that says if you just keep your eyes on God, everything will be alright.”

As for the ministry, Mr. Mareo said he enjoys his time at Speak the Word mainly because of the pastors’ genuine care for the people.

And while Mr. Mareo is looking forward to growth as more people become familiar with his music, “I’m just letting God do his work, staying focused on my craft and letting everything work for itself,” he said.

Mr. Mareo is currently working on an EP, a musical recording that contains more music than a single, but is usually too short to qualify as a full studio album or LP. Stunning Waterfalls is available here and here.

Feature Image: Anthony Mareo

Image Credit: VIC.