About Christafari

Christafari was founded in 1989 by songwriter, producer, and lead vocalist, Mark Mohr. Raised in a Christian family, Mark strayed from his spiritual upbringing during his teens and turned to drugs, alcohol and even growing marijuana. After having an undeniable encounter with God at a youth camp just before turning 18, Mohr re-committed his life to God and took what he now calls his "Freedom Step out of addiction."

	At that point, his greatest desire was to help others step out of the same bondage that once entangled him. He felt God impressing on his heart to start the first gospel reggae band in America .  Selecting a name from the Latin derivation of the Greek New Testament word Christafaroi, meaning a group of people who represent Christ, two weeks later this fledgling band was birthed at a camp talent show. Over the career of the band, over 60 members have appeared on stage and in the studio. Christafari's other frequent members include lead singer Erik "Earth Man" Sundin, a son of Salvation Army missionaries who has himself been a missionary in Jamaica and Latin America and has also worked with urban kids in the U.S. Vocalist/keyboardist Marky "Rage" Sandiford hails from Barbados, where he once earned a "Male Vocalist of the Year" title; he also composes, arranges and produces for the band. Percussionist Ken "Mr. Mention" Yarnes has been playing drums since childhood and has a music degree from Cal State Long Beach. Guitar player Bill "Painta-man" Kasper once toured with such reggae acts as Andrew Tosh and Steel Pulse. Keyboardist/vocalist Rob Ray is experienced in playing a variety of genres, while Johnny "Spragga Boom" Guerrero is the band's all-around musician and was involved in Los Angeles-area reggae. He too has played with some of Jamaican's top musicians. Finally, Vanessa Mohr, Mark's wife, performs authentic African dances during concerts and also choreographs the other band members.

Their 1995 album Soulfire sold 80,000 copies and earned them a nomination for the Dove foundation's Urban Album of the Year. In 1996, they were selected to play in the Olympic Village during the Atlanta Summer Olympics. That year they also released Valley of Decision, which they followed three years later with Word Sound & Power.  Gravity followed in 2003, To the Foundation in 2007, and Reggae Worship: The First Fruits Of Christafari in 2009.