BIOGRAPHY

MEET JONATHAN EMILE

Jonathan Emile is a Jamaican-Canadian singer-songwriter, composer, and cancer survivor. In 2011 he garnered attention with the release of his debut EP The Lover/Fighter Document, which was followed in 2015 by the release of the companion LP of the same title, which featured artists Kendrick Lamar, Buckshot, and Murs. Emile has been featured in major online publications such as Pitchfork, Hip Hop DX, Billboard, Fader, and Complex. Additionally, he has shared the stage with rappers Coolio in San Francisco, Nelly in Las Vegas, and Naughty By Nature and Slick Rick in New York. He has also recently collaborated with Grammy-nominated reggae singer Etana and multi-platinum reggae-fusion legend Maxi Priest.

At the age of 18, Emile was diagnosed with cancer, and for the following two years he underwent intense chemotherapy and radiation treatments to fight the disease. During this period, he used music as his personal therapy as he fought the disease. Emile’s music is defined by truth as he shares his experiences of battling cancer, addresses current affairs, and explores humanity. Through Reggae, Hip-Hop, and R&B, Emile offers an honest and unique perspective of reality without sacrificing the contemporary sounds that younger listeners crave.

The depth and relevance of his lyrics are only paralleled by his presence and understanding of today’s music trends. His devotion to creativity spawns from his quest for knowledge. His main musical influences include Bob Marley, John Lennon, Nina Simone, and Mos Def & Talib Kweli. He does not see himself as strictly a Reggae or Hip-Hop artist, but as a thinker with a knack for rhythm and rhyme. “My art, my life is not a lifestyle, it’s a philosophy that reflects truth and promotes humanism and social justice,” says Emile of his craft.

Based in Montreal, Emile recently released his first reggae album Spaces-in-Between via partnership between his independent label Mindpeacelove Records and Tuff Gong International, the legendary company launched by late Jamaican musical icon Bob Marley. Released in January 2020, Spaces-in-Between was met with warm critical reception and has achieved over 3 million views and streams. His first single “Savanna” premiered with music and arts tastemakers Rootfire, and the video premiered on international reggae website Reggaeville. The follow-up video for the single “Moses” premiered on Caribbean music, arts, and culture outlet LargeUp. A French adaptation of the album cut “Keep On Fighting” was premiered by Reggae.fr, while the aforementioned English version video premiered on the west coast-based entertainment blog Top Shelf Music.