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Hometown: Los Angeles County, CA
Label: Lion of Zion Entertainment, Lion of Zion
Management: (310) 539-9009 info@christafari.com
Website: www.christafari.com
Sounds Like: Sherwin Gardner, Dominic Balli, SOJA, Steel Pulse, Damian Marley
Genre: Reggae
As trailblazers, Christafari is continually pioneering the genre of Gospel reggae in the U.S. and throughout the world. But the band is more than just musicians; they’re “musicianaries” (musical missionaries), spreading the message of hope and salvation globally with a relentless touring and release schedule. They’ve ministered in 85 nations, all 50 of the United States and released over 100 music videos.
[BEGINNINGS:]
Christafari was founded in 1989 by Pastor Mark Mohr. Raised in a Christian family, during his teens Mohr strayed from his spiritual upbringing and turned to drugs and alcohol, going as far as growing and even dealing marijuana. After running away from home, living on the streets, and hitting rock-bottom, he had an undeniable encounter with God that drastically transformed his world. At 17, Mark re-committed his life to Christ and took what he now calls his “Freedom Step” out of addiction.
At that point, his greatest desire was to help others escape the same bondage that once entangled him. He felt God leading him to start the first Gospel reggae band in America. Just two weeks later, the band was birthed at a camp talent show when a friend said, “So you’re not a Rastafarian anymore; you’re a Christafarian.” And the name stuck!
While their name may just sound like a play on words, in Biblical Greek it stands for a group of people who bear or represent the name of Christ. “At that time, the best advice I was given was to go to Bible College so I could be theologically and doctrinally sound,” says Mark, who attended BIOLA University, taking classes that emphasized pastoral studies and missions. During his college years, Christafari continued to take shape as Mark wrote songs for the band’s first three albums “Reggae Worship Vol. 1”, “Soul Fire”, and “Valley Of Decision”.
In 1999, after recording two hit albums with Gotee Records under the tutelage of TobyMac, Mark branched out and founded his own record company, Lion of Zion Entertainment, with the goal of “reaching the world through world music.” He later launched GospelReggae.com.
In 2002, while ministering in the Caribbean, Mohr met Trinidadian musician Avion Blackman. The two married a year and a half later and Avion joined the band full-time on bass and vocals. Avion comes from a very large musical family. Her father, Ras Shorty I, invented Soca and Jamoo music and trained over a dozen of his children to become his own backing band. She began singing lead on stage with her father at only four years old and started playing bass in his band The Love Circle at age 14.
Christafari is comprised of men and women from various continents, countries, and cultures who are true missionaries at heart and share a love for reggae music and passion for following Jesus to the ends of the earth.
CHART SUCCESS
Christafari is no stranger to chart success. Since the release of their first “Reggae Worship” album in the early 90s, most of their CDs have held high positions on both the Christian and/or Reggae Billboard charts. In 2012 Christafari made history as the first Gospel artist to hit #1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts with “Reggae Worship: a Roots Revival.” Each of the band’s 5 subsequent studio releases has also topped the Billboard Charts. However, speaking about the band’s chart successes, Mohr states, “We care a lot more about hearts than charts. Our passion is for souls, not sales, and we only do concerts as a way to make converts and fulfill the great commission.”
TOURING & MEDIA
Christafari has performed in 50 states, over 85 nations, at two Olympic Games and even for a President of the United States of America. The band’s first major tour was 1995’s Reggae Sunsplash, which had them traversing 46 cities in 53 days. Since then, they’ve performed at most major reggae and gospel/CCM festivals with the top artists in the genres. The group has had the privilege of performing at many of the country’s most prestigious venues like LA’s Greek Theater, Dodger Stadium, the Presidential Inaugural Ball, and even from the steps of our nation’s Capitol before a crowd of 500,000!
Christafari has been featured on The 700 Club, CNN, MTV, MTV Brazil, ABC, TBN, JUCE TV, BET, TBS, Greg Laurie’s Harvest, and many more. Their music is even featured in the current curriculum taught at Carnegie Hall. Christafari’s YouTube channel sees well over a million views each month. “Aside from touring,” says Mohr, “our greatest platform to reach the world is YouTube, so we’re doing our best to maximize it with the few resources that we have.” Over the last few years, Christafari has released roughly one music video per month through their Rank and File Film Co.
FULL-TIME MISSIONARIES
After the inception of Christafari, the band took several annual mission trips to Jamaica. “The funny thing is that one of my first prayers to the Lord after coming to Christ,” recalls Mohr “was, ‘Please don’t make me a missionary in the jungle in some Third World country.'” He now thanks the Lord for not answering that prayer – for it would quickly become the greatest desire of his heart.
"When the global pandemic curbed their normal international touring, the band stepped out in faith with a focus on bringing our nation back under God."
Brian Mayes Publicist, Nashville Publicity Group - Reggae Icons CHRISTAFARI Bringing Hope To All 50 States This Year
“Reggae Icons CHRISTAFARI Release "Reggae Christmas 2" with Guest Appearances by Michael Tait, Papa San, Citizen Way’s Ben Calhoun and More”
Brian Mayes Publicist, Nashville Publicity Group brian@nashvillepublicity.com 61 - Nashville Publicity Group press room
“The reggae cover of the worship hit features a global cast of over 80 performers, each recording their own performances for inclusion in the new single & video.”
Brian Mayes Nashville Publicity Group - Reggae Icons CHRISTAFARI Release "The Blessing" Cover Featuring Global Cast from
"In the 31-year history of Christafari, no project has been so extensive,” says Christafari’s founder and frontman, Mark Mohr. "But as you can see by this video that prominently features so many others - It’s not about us. This project included contributions from over 80 people including more than 50 singers and instrumentalists from every inhabited continent and numerous nations, islands, states, and territories!"
Jessie Clarks - Reggae Icons CHRISTAFARI Release "The Blessing" Cover Featuring Global Cast
“Chart-topping Reggae pioneers CHRISTAARI have released “The Blessing (Reggae Version) featuring The World” — a reggae cover of the worship hit from Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes and levation Worship, that swept the nation earlier this year and has inspired numerous cover versions around the globe. Unlike the other versions, CHRISTAARI assembled a global cast of over 80 performers from all over the world, each recording their own vocal and video performances for inclusion in the new single and music video.”
/INPresswire.com/ - Reggae Icons CHRISTAFARI Release "The Blessing" Cover Featuring Global Cast from
“As trailblazers, Christafari is continually pioneering the genre of Gospel reggae in the U.S. and throughout the world. With their latest releases and music video “So Will I” the musicianaries wanted “to showcase the glory of creation. From painted skies to snowy mountains, giraffes to jellyfish, deserts to waterfalls, and caves to volcanoes, all of this beauty is projected on the canvas of God’s most magnificent creation – mankind. Let’s face it, Jesus didn’t die for the dolphins or desert camels. He died for us. And so we have chosen to live for Him.””
The Hype Magazine - Christafari Releases Dramatic Visuals for “So Will I” (100 Billion X)
“Chart-topping Reggae pioneers CHRISTAFARI have announced the upcoming release of a new studio album, FLY, due May 21st, from Lion of Zion Entertainment. Billed as CHRISTAFARI featuring Avion Blackman for the first time, the group's longtime co-vocalist steps front and center on this new collection of songs.
The first single, "Moment to Pray," premieres today with the release of a new music video on CHRISTAFARI's official YouTube channel, which receives 2 million views monthly and growing.”
By Hallels News - CHRISTAFARI featuring Avion Blackman to Release New Album "Fly"
“Chart-topping Reggae pioneers CHRISTAFARI have released a music video for their new single, "CHRISTAFARI’s Pandemic (COVID-19 Quarantine Anthem).”
In the meantime stay quarantined, wash your hands, and please share this video — hope is the only thing that should be going viral right now!”— Mark Mohr
LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, March 28, 2020 /
EINPresswire.com
/ -- Chart-topping Reggae pioneers CHRISTAFARI have released a music video for their new single, "CHRISTAFARI’s Pandemic (COVID-19 Quarantine Anthem)” from longtime label, Lion of Zion Entertainment. Watch the official music video here:
https://youtu.be/BSRbbXdkCXw
.”
TBN - Chart-Topping Reggae Pioneers Offer Hope with "CHRISTAFARI's Pandemic (COVID-19
“Christafari Releases Roots Reggae Version of The Hit Song ‘Way Maker’ Ft. Avion Blackman
“Way Maker” is a Christian Music Song of an original composition by Sinach and made popular recently by Leeland, Bethel Music, Michael W. Smith and also with some Spanish versions like Milagroso, abres camino. Christafari’s roots reggae version is sung by Avion Blackman and Mark Mohr.
For many, “Way Maker” may be a new song, but as Christafari have visited 82 nations, they have witnessed the rising popularity of the snowballing worship/Gospel hit “Way Maker” over the last few years.
The track was initially written and released by an artist named Sinach from Nigeria in 2015. Her music video for the song was released on December 30 of 2015 and has already reached 131 million views on YouTube. This year other artists have covered “Way Maker” in America such as Michael W. Smith and most recently Leeland, and both have met huge success.”
Christafari Releases Roots Reggae Version of The Hit Song ‘Way Maker’ Ft. Av
“CHRISTAFARI return April 13th with their latest studio album, “Original Love” (Lion of Zion Entertainment) - available now for pre-order at iTunes, with 4 instant tracks available upon purchase. After nearly three decades, CHRISTAFARI is the all-time top selling Gospel Reggae act and continues to be a driving force in world music. Their last 6 albums have debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae Chart. But the band considers themselves to be more than just musicians, but rather “musicianaries” (musical missionaries), spreading the message of hope and salvation globally to approximately 20 countries per year.
“CHRISTAFARI’s mission is simple,” says Mohr. “To go to the ends of the earth until all have heard, and until all have heard we’re not quitting.”
For more information, visit www.CHRISTAFARI.com.”
Press for new Original Love Album
““I've seen them play many times and every time they've rocked the crowd. I guarantee that if you put them on any stage at any major festival they will tear the house down. I am confident that the exit polls will be that they are one of the top performers because they bring something different-and an amazing live show!””
Charles Dorris, vice-president at William Morris Agency
"Christafari is one of the most entertaining live acts in Jah Kingdom."
The Beat Magazine, Tom Orr
"Their music is beyond that of Bob Marley."
Makeda Dread, Reggae Makossa 91X
"Christafari is one of the most entertaining live acts in Jah Kingdom."
The Beat Magazine, Tom Orr
"They were a great bunch of guys to have on the road. I've nothing but praises for Christafari in terms of their professionalism and the kind of people they are. I would definitely consider them for another Sunsplash tour."
Reggae Sunsplash Tour Producer Wayne Sinclair
"Their music is beyond that of Bob Marley."
Makeda Dread, Reggae Makossa 91X
