Christafari: Pioneers of Gospel Reggae

Christafari is a pioneering American gospel reggae band founded by songwriter and vocalist Mark Mohr. Based in Southern California, the group is celebrated for popularizing Christian reggae on a global scale and has released over a dozen studio albums since its formation.

Early career

Christafari was officially formed in 1989 by Mark Mohr, a former reggae DJ who converted to Christianity. The band's name, a fusion of "Christ" and the Ethiopian word "Ras Tafari," signaled its mission to redeem the sounds of reggae for gospel messaging. Their independent debut, Reggae Worship: A Roots Revival, was released in 1991, establishing their signature blend of roots reggae, dancehall, and worship.

Breakthrough

The band's major label breakthrough came with their 1995 album Valley of Decision on Gospo Centric Records. This release brought Christafari to a much wider audience within contemporary Christian music, solidifying their status as leaders of the gospel reggae genre. The album's success was fueled by extensive touring and radio play on Christian formats.

Key tracks

Valley of Decision — The title track from their breakthrough album became an anthem in Christian circles, introducing many to gospel reggae.

Light a Fire — This energetic track showcases their adept fusion of authentic dancehall rhythms with clear lyrical testimony.

Rock of Ages — A roots reggae interpretation of the classic hymn, demonstrating their skill at reimagining traditional music.

King of Kings — A celebratory song that has become a staple in their live performances, emphasizing their worship focus.

Following their breakthrough, Christafari founded their own label, Lion of Zion Entertainment, gaining greater creative control. They have since released influential albums like Soul Fire (2001) and Reggae Worship Vol. 2: Unite (2022), and have collaborated with notable artists like P.O.D. and Tommy Sims. The band maintains a relentless international touring schedule, performing on every inhabited continent and spreading their message globally.

Fans of Christafari also enjoy the spiritually-infused reggae of Third World, a Jamaican group known for positive messages and crossover hits. The roots-driven sound of Midnite offers a similarly conscious approach, though from a Rastafari perspective. For a different American take on Christian reggae, listeners explore The Supertones, who blend ska and punk. The worshipful calypso and soca of Kevin Downswell provides another Caribbean-inspired gospel sound.

Christafari's catalog is a fixture on various radio formats, particularly on Christian rock and inspirational reggae stations. Their music is featured on online radio streams dedicated to positive reggae and international gospel music, reaching a dedicated listener base that spans generations.

You can hear the pioneering gospel reggae of Christafari on radio stations featured across our network. Explore and listen to their uplifting discography through the diverse selection of radio stations available on onairium.com.