Gospel reggae is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica, mixing reggae rhythms with Christian-themed lyrics. Several reggae artists, many of whom were previously part of the Rastafari movement, have converted to Christianity and adopted gospel reggae as their primary style.
Examples include Tommy Cowan, Carlene Davis, Nora Dean, Lieutenant Stitchie and Kerron Ennis.
Other major artists in the genre include Christafari. As a rebellious drug addicted youth, Mark Mohr found an affinity for reggae music and became a marijuana grower and Rastafarian after a visit to Jamaica in 1986. He became well-versed in reggae music and learned Jamaican patois, the dialect prevalent in most reggae music. In 1989 the seventeen-year-old Mohr stopped using marijuana and committed his life to Jesus at JH Ranch, a Christian camp.
Two weeks later at another Christian youth camp, Mohr wrote and performed his first gospel reggae song “Give Me Everything I Need” at a talent show. The bass-player that day said; “So you’re no longer a Rastafarian, you’re a Christafarian.” The name stuck. Initially called the “Christafarians” Mark was backed by the “Steadfast” crew for his first few shows (September and October 1989). Eventually Mohr shortened the name to “Christafari”, (pronounced Christ-a-far-eye) and pieced together his own band members.
Lester Lewis has been described as a pioneer of gospel reggae, having won the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Gospel Song Competition in 1989 with “Every Time I Read My Bible”. Lester Lewis is the perfect person for the award as he has done more for gospel than anyone else. “He is the most decorated gospel artiste in Jamaica. We are also honouring over 14 gospel legends and community giants,” Lingo informed about the white-and-gold carpet, invitation-only, affair. Among Lewis’ popular songs are Every Time I Read My Bible, Jesus Is the Winna Man, Sons of God Arise and Ting Pon Mi.
DJs who specialize in Gospel Reggae include DJ Proclaima from the UK. He has been championing the music for the last 20 years and has millions of views on Youtube. The popularity of gospel reggae has been seen as a sign that reggae has taken broader hold in Jamaica, having previously been strongly identified with the Rastafarian community.
