SINGER / SONGWRITER / SHANTI-ITES GUITARIST
| CURRENT ALBUMS |
| WORK IN PROGRESS FORTHCOMING SOON |
| CURRENT SINGLES | |
| ROAD TO ZION | AVAILABLE NOW RELEASED AUG 08 |
Born in London, England in 1967 on the 4th of April and I have lived there most of my life. I grew up with my elder sister and younger brother under the watchful eyes of my mother and grandmother. I wouldn't say we had it hard, but neither was it easy. Hard work was always involved.
Music was always played around the house no matter what. Grand dad played his harmonica and grandma sang her out of tune hymns with a scattering of Jim Reeves and Pat Boone thrown into the musical mix.
I don't dare to forget 'The Mighty Sparrow', the greatest calypsonian in my eyes and to my ears. These are just a few of the great artistes that we as a family grew up listening to.
In the basement of our house, a band called the 'Challengers' rehearsed. This was the time I learnt how music was played in a unit called a band and I wanted to be part of that. Jah gave me the gift to play music and I intended to so!
My first band was called 'Selah' and was a five piece Roots outfit. We played all original compositions and did quite well at first. But as these things go, a lack of professionism and commitment with a certain member caused the band to split. I still believe in the musical gift of that person, but his heart has been corrupted by the lure of that metal called money.
I believe in delivering music for the upliftment of Jah children. Don't get me wrong, I love a love song as much as the next person, but I do not want to play them live. I don't see myself as a cabaret reggae artist. Songs are for the most high. Just as David gave sacrament to the Lord in song, I humbly follow in that tradition.
There is nothing greater than having the audience sing the lyrics to one of your songs and a great song is just that, a great song, irrespective of the genre it is in. I enjoy listening to great artistes from different musical fields, Bacharach, Mayfield, Hayes, Daltrey, Townsend, Marley, to name but a few.
In 2006 my musical spectrum has me composing music for the theatre. Working in collaboration with Paul Sirret from 'The Royal Shakespeare Company' and Phillip Headley we combined the 'Windrush' experience with Shakespeare. This show was nominated for best musical for 2006 and led directly me me getting 'Real' reggae onto a West End theatre stage with a show called 'The Big Life'.
During the making of the show I collaborated with Paul McGuigan (ex bass player of Oasis) on the music and this led in turn to me performing on some of his tracks and tracks by other artistes such as the band 'Cornershop' and the drummer of Primal Scream solo album.
I then formed a five piece Roots band called 'The Nazerines' and again due to tings and tings that band folded. Now I am a solo artist as well as a member of the Shanti-ites.and as we all know 'The Road To Zion' is not an easy way fi travel, but I know as I trod this path the 'Babylon Can't Hold Me'
Bless up Jah children for Jah Liveth & Reign for Iver.
Emmanuel Joseph aka Kojak.
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