Canton Jones

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Canton Jones

Background information
Born Deerfield Beach, Florida
United States
Genre(s) Christian: Christian hip-hop
Years active 2002 (2002) - Present

Canton Jones, born in Deerfield Beach, Florida,[1] is an American Christian musician and Christian hip-hop artist.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early years

Canton Jones began singing at the age of 5 in a vocal group founded by his father. By the age of 16, he was writing for and producing records for friends in his hometown.[2]

He relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where he attended Morehouse College joining the school's renowned Glee Club. The club performed for celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Dr. Bobby Jones and the late Ray Charles, as well as performing at high profile events such as the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games and at the first gospel concert ever held at the US Pentagon. [3]

Between 1998 and 1999, he joined World Changers Church International, under the pastorship of Creflo & Taffi Dollar and in his own words, grew as a Christian under their stewardship: "My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, took me to World Changers and I started getting the word. I was going to that church for like three years before I really rededicated my life to Christ. I was there from probably like 1998 or 1999 until 2001 before I really started getting on track."[3]

[edit] Musical career

In 2001, Jones launched his own gospel record label, CAJO Entertainment.[3] and independently released his first album, 2002's 20 Years, 3 Months & 12 Days, which chronicled his journey to salvation.

He released his second independent album in 2004: The Password and that same year, collaborated with Lil iROCC Williams on Williams's 2004 debut album, and wrote and performed a song, "You and Me", for the compilation Holy Hip-Hop:Taking the Gospel to the Streets.

At this time he was now a member of the choir of World Changers International Church and a solo performance at the church attracted the attention of the church's youth pastor, who asked Jones to help him in the youth department. Not long after that, he was signed to the church's Arrow Records label, an affiliate of EMI. [2]

He released his major label debut, Love Jones, in the summer of 2005, which debuted at number 11 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart.[2]. The album is named after his daughter, Love, born to him and wife Ramona in 2004. [4]. Following the album's success, Canton toured the US with over 200 appearances that year.

In November of 2005, The Password was re-released nationally at the end of 2005 as The Password: Access Granted and earned him two Grammy nominations.[3] His success in 2005 saw him listed in The Atlanta Business Journal at number 19 in their 40 Under 40 chart of Atlanta's rising stars.[3]

On 5 February 2008, he released Kingdom Business.

[edit] Personal life

Canton Jones has a wife named Ramona and they have a daughter, Love Jones. He attends World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia, where he sings as a member of the praise & worship team.

[edit] Discography

''20 Years 3 Months 12 Days''

  • Released: 2002
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Independent

''The Password''

  • Released: 2004
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Independent

''Love Jones''

  • Released: 2005
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Arrow Records
  • Chart position: US Christian #40, US Gospel #11[5]

''The Password:Access Granted''

  • Released: Re-release, 2005
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Arrow Records

''Kingdom Business''

  • Released: 5 February 2008
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Arrow Records
  • Chart position: #187 US, #13 US Christian, #3 US Gospel[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Canton Jones's Biography. Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
  2. ^ a b c Billboard.com, Canton Jones. Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
  3. ^ a b c d e Canton Jones: Think God, Gospel And Grandmas, Not Gangstas, Girls And Guns. Retrieved on 2007-09-22.
  4. ^ Canton Jones Biography. Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
  5. ^ a b Billboard|Canton Jones, Allmusic.com