How To Book CHRISTAFARI For Your Event!
Christafari
may be available for your next special event!
Christafari (christ-ah-far-eye) has been a trailblazer, pioneering the genre of Gospel reggae in the U.S. and throughout the world. With their blend of traditional roots and contemporary dancehall reggae, they proclaim a positive message of hope and salvation to this generation.
Christafari is still standing strong with music that was once considered by some to be just a "fad" or "novelty." Refusing to be limited to one musical market, their compositions appeal to listeners in the Reggae, CCM, Gospel/Urban, World, and Latin markets alike.
CHRISTAFARI HISTORY
Christafari was founded in 1989 by songwriter, producer, and lead vocalist, Mark Mohr. Raised in a Christian family, Mark strayed from his
Godly upbringing and, during his teens, became involved in hard drugs and alcohol.
As an answer to many prayers, the Lord delivered Mark from his addictions at a Christian camp at the age of 17. After serious prayer, God impressed on his heart to start the first Christian reggae band in America.
"The best advice I was ever given was to go to Bible College so I could be theologically and doctrinally sound," says Mark. He studied at Biola University in Los Angeles, majoring in Christian Education. During his years at Biola, the group began to take shape as Mark wrote songs for Christafari's first and second albums. Now an ordained Pastor, Mark has spent more than fifteen years ministering and performing, bringing a unique brand of gospel reggae to nearly every state in the U.S. and some twenty
countries around the world.
AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Christafari was nominated for the 2002 Marlin award for International Artist of the Year. Their album, "Word Sound & Power," was also nominated for four Marlin Awards in 2000: Caribbean Group Vocal Performance of The Year, Caribbean Duo Vocal Performance of The Year, Caribbean Reggae/Dancehall Recording of The Year, and Caribbean Album of The Year.
Christafari received a Dove Award nomination in 1996 and were nominated for Reggae Album of the Year by the Tamika Awards in 1997. Their videos have been in heavy rotation on BET, Caribbean Rhythms and many other programs. All of their albums have held strong positions on the Billboard Magazine charts. Their fourth endeavor "Word Sound & Power" debuted at #9 on Billboard's Top Reggae Albums Chart.
Christafari has been featured on CNN Headline News, MTV News, MTV Brazil, The Family Channel, TBN, BET, The 700 Club, TBS, and the Day 7 show with Greg Laurie. Their music has landed two movie soundtracks, including the Sundance Film Festival Selection, "Naturally Native." They have also been featured in such publications as Billboard, CCM Magazine, Reggae Report, and The Beat. There is no doubt Christafari is recognized as one of the main forces in American reggae and Gospel music.
"Their music is beyond that of Bob Marley." - Makeda Dread, 91 X
TOURS
In 1997, the band's live performance received a tremendous reception at Reggae on the River - the "World's Greatest Reggae Festival," where Mohr had the privilege of baptizing three new converts in the river.
Christafari has also been featured on festivals such as the Bob Marley Festival Tour, and the Renegade Festival (2000).
Springbreak 2002 found Christafari at the Fun in the Son Festival in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, performing with
TobyMac, Chevelle Franklyn, Stitchie, Grace Thrillers, The Love Circle, and many others. Christafari also performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, partnering in ministry with InTheBible.com, Snowboarders for Christ, and YWAM. The group spent New Years' Eve 2001 in London, England, sharing the stage with multi-platinum artist
Kirk Franklin before an overflow audience of 15,000, bringing in the new year with praise to the most high - Christafari style.
Christafari's serious touring experience began in the Summer of 1995 as a featured act on the Reggae Sunsplash Tour, North America's premier reggae tour, traversing 46 cities and performing before more than a quarter of a million people. They have played many of the country's most prestigious venues like the Greek Theater and Irvine Meadows, sharing the bill with such top names in the reggae industry as
Aswad, Bunny Wailer, Lucky Dube, Big Mountain,
Burning Spear, Pato Banton, Dennis Brown,
Freddie McGregor,
The Wailing Souls, Sister Carol,
Capleton, Stitchie,
Israel Vibration, Culture,
Buju Banton, and
Wayne Wonder.
In Washington, DC, on the steps of our nation's capitol, Christafari ministered to their largest audience to date - a crowd of more than half a million. Additional performance highlights have included touring with
dc
Talk and Geoff Moore, Extreme Experience with Evander Holyfield, the Chicago Reggae Festival, the 1997 Presidential Inaugural Ball, the National Indigenous Olympic Games, the St. Kitts Music Festival with
Kool & The Gang and
Maxi Priest, the Nashville Music Awards, festivals such as Creation East & West, Kingdom Bound, Cornerstone, and Sprit West Coast, and even the main amphitheater of the Olympic Village during the 1996 Olympic Games. Christafari has also shared the stage with such artists as Sixpence None the Richer,
Kirk Franklin,
P.O.D. and
Jars of Clay.
Over the years, Christafari has been a Gospel and Reggae Music ambassador to the world, visiting some 20 nations on 4 continents including Aruba, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Curacao, Grand Cayman, England, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts & Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Uganda.
THE NAME
Pronounced CHRIST-AH-FAR-EYE, in Greek, the original language of the New Testament, Christafari is the name given to "a group of people who collectively represent Christ."
What others say --
- "They were a great bunch of guys to have on the road. They were very professional, very cooperative, and very appreciative of the fact that we had them 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
- "Christafari is one of the most entertaining live acts in Jah Kingdom."
-- The Beat Magazine, Tom Orr
Top songs include:
- Blood and Fire
- Valley of Decision
- For My Father's Sake
- Selah
- Why You Ago Look?
- Best Friend
- Keep on Looking Up
- Why You Ago Dub?
- Jesus First
- Babylon Has Fallen
Christafari may be available for your next special event!
Watch videos:
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Genre: Gospel
Genre: Reggae
Styles:
.CCM. / xCCM
.Reggae Gospel. / ReggaeGospel
Years active:
x90s, x00s, x10s, x20s
1990-present
Formed: in 1990
Based: ..in US
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