Lieutenant Stitchie

Cleveland Laing (born 29 September 1965), better known as Lieutenant Stitchie, is a Jamaican deejay who originally worked in the dancehall style but switched to gospel reggae in 1997 after surviving a car crash, thereafter working under the shorter name Stitchie.

Biography Dancehall career Laing was born in Spanish Town and worked as a biology teacher at Spanish Town School before embarking on a career in music, for a time pursuing both. In the late 1970s he began his career as a singer. He went on to work on the Stereo One sound system, where he adopted the stage name Stitchie after being credited as such via a misprinted record label. His single "Natty Dread" topped the Jamaican charts for 14 weeks. Against medical advice he went on to perform as scheduled, after which he was given a Gideon Bible by a Canadian boy.

In 2012, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Cornerstone Christian University in Orlando, Florida, in recognition of his contribution to gospel reggae music. He was officially inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame on 17 January 2016, by The Jamaica GHF president and Founder Bishop Dr. J.O Baker in Kingston, Jamaica. In 2014 his autobiography, The Power of Determination, was published.

In 2021, he was honoured in the National Honours and Awards on Jamaica's 59th Anniversary of Independence.

Discography Great Ambition (1987), Jammy's The Governor (1989), Atlantic Wild Jamaican Romances (1991), Atlantic Rude Boy (1993), Atlantic Mad Cobra Meets Lt. Stitchie and Beenie Man (1995), VP – with Mad Cobra and Beenie Man Gangsta (1995), VP Bangarang (1995), Shanachie Raw Episode (1999), Ernie B To God Be The Glory (1999), Ghetto Soldier (2000), Greensleeves Real Power (2000), Kingdom Ambassador (2004), Drum & Bass Real Life Story (2007), Drum & Bass Real Power (2007), Drum & Bass Serious Message (2010), Burnside Warrior (2015), Earlydays Records Masterclass (2019), XRAY Productions