Jah Mason
| Jah Mason | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Andre Johnson |
| Born | 1970 |
| Origin | Manchester Parish, Jamaica |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Labels | Jah Warrior, VP, Greensleeves |
Andre Johnson (born 1970), better known by his stage name Jah Mason, also known as Fire Mason, is a reggae singer/deejay from Jamaica, active as a recording artist since 1991.
Biography
Jah Mason was born in Jamaica's Manchester Parish, and grew up in a Christian family.[1][2] During his childhood, he was nicknamed Perry Mason for his ability to resolve disputes, and it was under this name that his debut single "Selassie I Call We" was released in 1991 on Junior Reid's JR record label.[1] In 1995 he joined the Bobo Ashanti order of the Rastafari movement, and began performing and recording as Jah Mason after linking up with the David House group.[1][2] He had hits in Jamaica with "My Princess Gone" and "Lion Look", and also made guest appearances on singles by his friend Jah Cure.[1] His first albums came in 2002 with Keep Your Joy and Working So Hard. Since then he has released albums at a rate of more than one a year, including Wheat and Tears and Princess Gone...The Saga Bed, both released in 2006 on Greensleeves Records and VP Records respectively, and the latter distributed by Warners.[3] The Jamaica Gleaner, reviewing Wheat and Tears, commented on a lack of originality in Jah Mason's work but went on to say "clichés notwithstanding, the album is musical, and for hardcore reggae fans, the disc should provide enough of a vibe to chill with."[4] David Jeffries of Allmusic described him as "an effortlessly agile artist able to communicate love, pathos, revolution, spirituality, and even sensuality on equal terms."[3]
Discography
- Keep Your Joy (2002), Ghetto Technology
- Working So Hard (2002), KJ
- Unlimited (2003), Reggae Vibes
- Never Give Up (2003), On The Corner
- Surprise Dem (2004), Vikingsd
- Most Royal (2004), Jah Warrior
- Rise (2005), On The Corner
- Princess Gone...The Saga Bed (2006), VP
- Wheat and Tears (2006), Greensleeves
- Life Is Just a Journey (2007), Maximum Sound/Corner Shop
- The Pow Pow Triology (2008), Pow Pow - with Anthony B and Turbulence
- No Matter The Time (2008), Vikings
- Ruff & Tuff Riddim (2008), Pow Pow
- Work Off Selection (2008), IrieVibrations
- Keep Ya Head Up (2010), Rastar
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jah Mason. |
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Jeffries, David "Jah Mason Biography", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation, retrieved 2 January 2010
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Jah Mason Biography", VP Records, retrieved 2 January 2020
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jeffries, David "Princess Gone...The Saga Bed Review", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation, retrieved 2 January 2010
- ↑ "No new tales here!", Jamaica Gleaner, 6 October 2006, retrieved 2 January 2010