Christafari

Biography

Christafari was the initial Christian reggae music group. Upon viewing the group’s name and the actual fact that founder Tag “Tansoback” Mohr sports activities very long dreads, one might deduce that this bandmembers promote a combined mix of Rastafarianism and Christianity, however the band’s moniker in fact originates from the Latin derivation from the Greek New Testament term “Christafari,” indicating several individuals who represent Christ. Christafari was founded in 1990 by born-again Christian Tag Mohr. At once, Mohr, an aficionado of Jamaican tradition and reggae music, was a Rastafarian himself — mainly, he claims, since it sanctioned the regular use of cannabis. When he 1st began hearing reggae music, he didn’t enjoy it, but a family group a vacation to Jamaica transformed his perspective. By enough time he recommitted to Christ and quit ganja in a chapel summer time camp, Mohr was well-versed in origins reggae and various dancehall designs. Fluent in Jamaican patois, Mohr is recognized as a fantastic toaster and ragamuffin. On the band’s profession, over 60 users have made an appearance on-stage and in the studio room. Christafari’s other regular members include business lead vocalist Erik “Globe Guy” Sundin, a child of Salvation Military missionaries that has himself been a missionary in Jamaica and Latin America, and in addition has worked with metropolitan kids within the U.S. Vocalist/keyboardist Marky “Trend” Sandiford comes from Barbados, where he once gained a “Man Vocalist of the entire year” name; he also composes, arranges, and generates for the music group. Percussionist Ken “Mr. Point out” Yarnes continues to be playing drums since child years and includes a music level from Cal Condition Long Beach. Guitarist Costs “Painta-Man” Kasper once toured with such reggae works as Andrew Tosh and Metal Pulse. Keyboardist/vocalist Rob Ray has experience in playing a number of styles, while Johnny “Spragga Increase” Guerrero may be the band’s all-around musician and was involved with Los Angeles-area reggae. He as well has used a few of Jamaica’s best music artists. Finally, Vanessa Mohr, Mark’s wife, performs genuine African dances during concerts and in addition choreographs the bandmembers. Furthermore to founding the group, Tag Mohr in addition has analyzed at Biola University or college and began the missionary business “Jamaica for Jesus,” an organization that preaches Christian doctrines on Jamaican roads and prospects Bible colleges. At Christafari concerts, in addition they assist those target audience users with any spiritual experiences they could have through the overall performance. Musically, the music group reflects Mohr’s history in origins reggae and dancehall and it is noted because of its high-energy concert shows. Within the reggae community, nevertheless, the music group is not widely approved, and issues didn’t improve when Mohr penned a publication deriding Rastafarianism. While residing in a Cleveland resort, dancehall designer Buju Banton demonstrated his displeasure using the music group by attacking and slicing Mohr using a blade, but Mohr, within a gesture of forgiveness, refused to press fees. Mainstream Christians haven’t always recognized Christafari either, mainly because they’re not really acquainted with or dubious of reggae music. However the music group functions hard at educating its viewers, and it appears to be functioning. Their 1995 record, Soul Fire, marketed 80,000 copies and gained them a nomination for the Dove Foundation’s Urban Record of the entire year. In 1996, these were selected to try out within the Olympic Community through the Atlanta Summertime Olympics. That season in addition they released Valley of Decision, that they followed 3 years afterwards with Word Audio & Power. Gravity arrived in 2003 as the dub edition, Gravitational Dub, made an appearance one year afterwards; the children’s record Reggae Sunday College implemented in 2005. No Bargain was released in ’09 2009, accompanied by a 20th wedding anniversary globe tour. 2012 noticed them climb the Billboard graphs using the Worship recording Reggae Worship: A Origins Revival. Another group of Worship requirements followed once the appropriately entitled Anthems got in 2015.

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