Christopher Oteng Martin (born 14 February 1987) is a
reggae
Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, " Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use ...
/
dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially, dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s.Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2004) "The Rou ...
singer and songwriter from
St. Catherine, Jamaica
Saint Catherine (capital Spanish Town) is a Parishes of Jamaica, parish in the Ordinal directions, south east of Jamaica. It is located in the Counties of Jamaica, county of Middlesex, and is one of the island's largest and most economically va ...
. Martin won
Digicel
Digicel is a Jamaican and Caribbean mobile phone network and home entertainment provider operating in 33 markets worldwide.
Digicel has operated in several countries, including Guyana, Fiji, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Suriname, and Ja ...
's ''Rising Stars'' in 2005 (the Jamaican version of ''
American Idol
''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to Ap ...
'') and is best known for the songs "Cheaters Prayer", "I'm a big deal" "Let her go", "Is it love" "Dreams of brighter days" .
Biography
Born in Back Pasture,
St. Catherine, 14 February 1987, to Cleveland and Maxine Martin, Martin attended the Watermount All-Age School and later went on to graduate from
St. Jago High School
St. Jago High School (formerly Beckford & Smith) in Spanish Town, St Catherine, Jamaica, founded in 1744, is one of the oldest, continuously operated schools in the Western Hemisphere. It is renowned for graduating some of Jamaica's senior mil ...
. During high school years, he developed a love for dramatic arts and sports. In 2003, Martin graduated with various awards and accolades.
After winning the
Digicel
Digicel is a Jamaican and Caribbean mobile phone network and home entertainment provider operating in 33 markets worldwide.
Digicel has operated in several countries, including Guyana, Fiji, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Suriname, and Ja ...
''Rising Stars'' competition, Martin participated in Digicel's Christmas promotion in 2005. His debut single "Love Is All We Need" formed part of the promotional campaign. Martin became the first Digicel ''Rising Stars'' Alumni to have a hit single on the charts in Jamaica. Shortly after, he won the Digicel ''Rising Stars'' title in 2005.
Martin's parents have been the source of his motivation in pursuing his musical ambitions. Commenting on it, he said; Already a national household icon, Christopher’s main objective is to take his music to the optimum level. He elaborated;
His releases include: "Nah Go Change", "Take My Wings", "Tonight", "Giving It", and the singles "Jamaican Girls" and "Gallis" featuring
Busy Signal
Reanno Devon Gordon (born 24 January 1979), better known by his stage name Busy Signal, is a Jamaican dancehall reggae artist.
Biography
Reanno Devon Gordon p/k/a Busy Signal was born in Saint Ann Parish,Johnson, Carolyn (2006)A Very Busy Chil ...
. He has worked with a number of top producers in reggae and dancehall including Robert Livingston(Big Yard), Arif Cooper, Shane Brown(Jukeboxx) and Christopher Birch.
Martin has performed numerous stage shows across Jamaica and was notably invited to perform at One Night with
Michael Bolton
Michael Bolotin
, The Jewish Historical Society of New Haven, 1998. (born February 26, 1953), known professio ...
and at the 2008 Air Jamaica Jazz Festival. 2008 was a productive year for Martin, being nominated for numerous awards including The Jamaica Observer Teenage Choice Awards and Excellence in Music and Entertainment. With several singles receiving airplay on radio and reaching the Jamaican music charts, Martin is optimistic about his career in music: "It has been a wonderful journey so far, filled with new and promising encounters. It is also challenging but I love what I am doing, so it makes it that much easier."
The song "Melody to My Song" was released on Good Love Rhythm, produced by Baby G. The song "She Never Listens" featuring
Demarco was produced by Star Kutt, and "Watch Me Lord" was produced by Ariff Cooper and released on the Fresh Ear label. In addition to those, Martin appeared on "Vibe Is Right" on the Street Bullies Medley produced by Tony Kelly as well as "Real Friends" featuring Agent Sassco (formerly
Assassin
Assassination is the murder of a prominent or VIP, important person, such as a head of state, head of government, politician, world leader, member of a royal family or CEO. The murder of a celebrity, activist, or artist, though they may not ha ...
) and D-Major, released via T.J Records.
In 2013, Martin signed to
VP Records
VP Records is an independent Caribbean-owned record label in Queens, New York (state), New York. The label is known for releasing music by notable artists in reggae, dancehall and Soca music, soca. VP Records has offices in New York City, Miami ...
. In April 2016, he toured Zimbabwe and performed live on stage alongside D'Major and several Zimbabwean singers, including Winky D. This show took place at Glamis Arena in Harare and was a success.
Discography
Albums
* ''Big Deal'' (2017)
* ''And Then'' (2019)
Extended Playlist (EP)
* ''Steppin Razaor'' (2015)
References
External links
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, Christopher
1987 births
Living people
people from Saint Catherine Parish
Jamaican reggae singers
Reggae fusion artists
VP Records artists