CHRISTAFARI “SO WILL I” (100 BILLION X) ft. Avion Blackman
Christafari releases dramatic visuals for “So Will I”(100 Billion X) Hillsong Cover [Feat. Avion Blackman]
As trailblazers, Christafari is continually pioneering the genre of Gospel reggae in the U.S. and throughout the world. With their latest releases and music video “So Will I” the musicianaries wanted “to showcase the glory of creation. From painted skies to snowy mountains, giraffes to jellyfish, deserts to waterfalls, and caves to volcanoes, all of this beauty is projected on the canvas of God’s most magnificent creation – mankind. Let’s face it, Jesus didn’t die for the dolphins or desert camels. He died for us. And so we have chosen to live for Him.”
“So we had a video shot, but we were FAR from done. Then we started our Ascend MasterClasses. Teaching 40 masterclasses (around 20 of which I was a part) was an overwhelming task to say the least. One of these classes was Cinematography. After teaching this class I received an email from a student in Colombia who was blessed by the class. He offered to help with visual FX for our music videos. As an expert in After Effects, he was looking for an opportunity to use his gifts for the Lord. What an answer to prayer! We were blown away by his generosity when he insisted on doing the whole video for free! He said he was very inspired by the class, and though he couldn’t donate financially, he wanted to tithe his time. We were speechless! It gets better… we tried to pay him something for this, but he insisted on doing it for free and even took time off of work to do it! We couldn’t believe this! And when he finally went back to work he sent me this mind blowing text: “Mark! I started receiving blessings… my boss increased my salary suddenly… no explanation… you are sooo good land to plant seeds OMG God is good!” And then a few days later he said that his wife got a new job! The Lord always provides!”
“The end result is by far my favorite video we’ve ever released. It is a gorgeous masterpiece. And if you see the moment that shows my Dad, me and then Ziza and the tree, you’ll realize just why this magnificent video made my Mother cry. We’ve never seen such a positive initial response from a music video. We knew that it was resonating with others when the emails immediately started flooding in on Friday after it was released.”- Mark Mohr
Christafari are musical trailblazers and have been continually pioneering the genre of Gospel reggae in the U.S. and throughout the world since the early 90’s. But the band is more than just musicians; they’re “musicianaries” (musical missionaries), spreading the message of hope and salvation globally to approximately 20 countries per year. Christafari is comprised of men and women from various continents, countries, and cultures who share a love for reggae music and passion for following Jesus to the ends of the earth.
Christafari has performed in 46 states, over 74 nations, at two Olympic Games and even for a President of the United States of America. The band’s first major tour was 1995’s Reggae Sunsplash, which had them traversing 46 cities in 53 days. Since then, they’ve performed at most major reggae and gospel/CCM festivals with the top artists in the genres. The group has had the privilege of performing at many of the country’s most prestigious venues like LA’s Greek Theater, Dodger Stadium, the Presidential Inaugural Ball, and even from the steps of our nation’s Capitol before a crowd of 500,000!
Christafari has been featured on The 700 Club, CNN, MTV, MTV Brazil, ABC, TBN, JUCE TV, BET, TBS, Greg Laurie’s Harvest, and many more. Their music is even featured in the current curriculum taught at Carnegie Hall. Christafari’s YouTube channel sees well over a million views each month. “Aside from touring,” says Mohr, “our greatest platform to reach the world is YouTube, so we’re doing our best to maximize it with the few resources that we have.” Over the last few years, Christafari has released roughly one music video per month through their Rank and File Film Co.
Christafari is no stranger to chart success. Since the release of their first “Reggae Worship” album in the early 90s, most of their CDs have held positions on both the Christian and/or Reggae Billboard charts. In 2012 Christafari made history as the first Gospel artist to hit #1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts with “Reggae Worship: a Roots Revival.” Each of the band’s 5 subsequent studio releases has also topped the Billboard Charts. However, speaking about the band’s chart successes, Mohr states, “We care a lot more about hearts than charts. Our passion is for souls, not sales, and we only do concerts as a way to make converts and fulfill the great commission.”
Not only does the band travel the world proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ through reggae music, but they’ve also set out to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They try to find and fill a need in each country they visit, such as outreaches in trash cities and slums, serving at orphanages, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and ministering to those whom Jesus called “the least of these.” “Christafari’s mission is simple: to go to the ends of the earth until all have heard, and until all have heard we’re not quitting.” – Mark Mohr
