Jonathan Emile

There’s nothing new under the sun? Stunning 23 year old, Jamaican-Canadian artist Jonathan Emile (also known as Jon E) forces listeners to question the truth of this ancient proverb. Already Making waves with songs: "Babylon Is Falling", "Lover/Fighter" & "Everything You Want", Emile pushes the level musically and intellectually while he bares his soul on stage&record as he shares his experiences of battling cancer, addresses current affairs and explores humanity. Covering styles of hip-hop, r and b/neo-soul and reggae, With his "The Lover/Fighter" EP dropping on iTunes on March 17, 2009, Jonathan Emile offers an honest gaze on reality without sacrificing the ‘hype noise’ that the new generation craves. The music is danceable but reflective, fresh but inline with the legacy of soul music. The Montreal-based poet-composer-performer offers a new way of listening and living through the company he founded based on the elements of mind, peace and love. The conscious enterprise is a hub that encompasses music, film and clothing driven by the ethos of balance in knowledge, harmony and passion. Jonathan is responsible for producing for artists such as Sonia Soul , Jayremy, Debatista, Fredy V & Preach Ankobia. He is also a respected member of both the Franco Proietti Morph-Tet & The Kalmunity Vibe Collective. His debut project, The Lover/Fighter Document [EP] will be released March 17th 2009 in Digital Format on iTunes. CD Format will be available in stores September 2009. Born and raised in LaSalle on the island of Montreal, Jonathan Emile first began rapping at the age of 14 with actor Omari “Vagabond” Newton (formerly of Kobayashi Jazz) and was mentored by Poet Trumpeter Jason “Blackbird” Selman at the Black Theater Workshops. He later went on to receive various community awards including the Gloria A Mitchell-Aleong award for artistic achievement. At the age of 18, Jonathan was diagnosed with cancer. For two years he underwent intense chemotherapy and radiation to fight the disease. During this period, Jonathan used music as his personal therapy and continued to develop as an artist. Prior to his illness, which is now in remission, Jonathan Emile’s music and his Mindpeacelove philosophy remained a method of expression. During treatment Jonathan founded his company, refined his craft and began making his name known while performing alongside J-Remy in a duo known as Île City. Jonathan Emile’s devotion to hip-hop and creation spawns from his ideology and quest for knowledge. It’s almost as if he does not see himself as a hip-hop artist, but as a liberal thinker with a knack for rhythm & rhyme. “My life and art are not a style. It’s a philosophy,” Emile explains. “ I try to live by mind peace and love in everything that I do”. The depth and relevance of his lyrics are only paralleled by his presence, understanding of ‘now music’ and his youthful energy. These are some of the fundamental ideas on his upcoming album entitled The Lover/Fighter Document. Emile’s focus and drive was amplified by what occurred in his life. The time spent in the hospital allowed him to truly test his personal philosophy and branch out with creativity. Jonathan has just begun to make his name known in the national and international scene performing in Europe and Canada. At home in Montreal he has quickly become a respected member of the Kalmunity Vibe Collective fuels the Montreal Soul-Renaissance. His company is developing new talent where the roster currently includes, Jonathan Emile, Sonia Soul, Debatista,/ J-Remy and Île City. lMontreal, Quebec, Canada Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica Photography by Matteo Bruzzone