Mark Mohr
| Christafari | |
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Christafari in concert
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| Background information | |
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Lion of Zion, Gotee |
| Website | www |
| Members | Mark Mohr |
Christafari is a Christian reggae band formed in 1990. It is centered on the personality of ordained religious minister Mark "Tansoback" Mohr (born October 23, 1971), an American, born-again Christian. Until the age of 17, Mohr was a Rastafarian. The essential goal of Christafari is to promote Christianity to all people; including Rastafarians.
As a rebellious drug addicted youth, Mohr found an affinity for reggae music and became a marijuana grower and Rastafarian after a visit to Jamaica in 1986. He became well-versed in reggae music and learned Jamaican patois, the dialect prevalent in most reggae music. In 1989 the seventeen-year-old Mohr stopped using marijuana and committed his life to Christ at JH Ranch, a Christian camp. Two weeks later at another Christian youth camp Mohr wrote and performed his first gospel reggae song "Give Me Everything I Need" at a talent show. The bass-player that day said; "So you're no longer a Rastafarian, you're a Christafarian." The name stuck. Initially called the "Christafarians" Mark was backed by the "Steadfast" crew for his first few shows (September and October 1989). Eventually Mohr shortened the name to "Christafari", (pronounced Christ-a-far-eye) and pieced together his own band members.
In 1993 Mohr enrolled in Biola University and received his ordination in 1997.
Their first album, Reggae Worship, reached the Billboard Charts and created a buzz in the industry, garnering the attention of DC Talk's tobyMac who then signed the group to Gotee Records. Soulfire proved to be an early success for the fledgeling Gotee Records. Valley Of Decision spent 15 weeks in the top 10 of Billboard's "Top Reggae Albums" chart. The label began as a production company. Originally intending to produce Out of Eden's Lovin' the Day, they couldn't find a label to sign the act to, and so began distributing the band's material on their own.
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