Jermaine Modeste, also known as rapper UKNO THA DON, knows how painful it is to lose a child. In 2007 his premature son, Christopher, died seven weeks after birth and it was one of the most traumatic experiences of Modeste’s life. Modeste was then accused in the death of his son and put on trial in New Jersey.
Local media brought attention to the case causing a great deal of frustration for the artist and his family. After criminal charges were filed in his son’s death, law enforcement removed his daughter, Nevaeh from his home. His wife of two years left him for another man, shortly after the trial began. The trial lasted more than a year, but Modeste was finally proven innocent.
The death of his son and the subsequent trial gave Modeste a new outlook on life, and he insists that it was his strong belief in Jesus Christ that got him through his ordeal. The rapper decided to express his story on his new album, Testimony.
“I’m blessed, because like I said I could have been behind bars for something that I didn’t do. When I lost my child I had the support of my mom and dad and my closest friends. I would go to church to find a way, or get in[to] the word so I can build my spirituality and build myself.”
Modeste offered words of advice for anyone who has suffered the loss of a child and how to cope in extremely painful circumstances. “Put God first. To be honest that’s the only way, because it’s hard for you as an individual to get through stuff. Without a strong system behind you or people that believe [in you] and are by your side … you’ll basically go crazy. Never isolate yourself.” –iesha daniels
