Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Article content
Regina artist K-Anthony always had big dreams, but never expected to be nominated for a Juno Award, let alone be a nominee for the second time.
The Jamaican-Canadian contemporary Christian singer and songwriter is excited to attend this year’s Juno Awards in Halifax on March 24 after being nominated for Christian/Gospel Album of the Year for his album Arrow. In 2021 he was nominated for the same award for his EP The Cure. The annual awards recognize outstanding achievements in Canada’s music industry.
Article content
“It’s quite an honour for me to represent Saskatchewan and Regina,” he said during an interview Friday.
Born as Kevin Anthony Fowler in Falmouth, Jamaica, K-Anthony said music is a significant part of his culture and he began singing at the age of 11.
After high school he was interested in becoming an agronomist, but the program wasn’t accepting students at the time. His mom suggested he study music for a year and then take the agronomy program at a different university.
K-Anthony attended Northern Caribbean University, where he fell in love with the music program and decided to pursue music as a career. A few years later he began recording as a professional artist.
He continued his musical path when he decided to move to Yorkton and then Regina in the early 2010s, creating music videos, holding concerts in the province, and recording songs in Saskatoon, Nashville, Missouri and North Carolina.
“Being in Canada, at first — to be honest — it was a little bit depressing because of the difference in climate. I’m from a tropical area and I came into an area that was mostly winter,” he said.
“One day I was observing something and I said ‘you know, I can make the most of it here. I can look at the glass as either half empty or half full. It’s all about perspective’.”
K-Anthony decided to continue working hard on his music and people started to take notice. Having been able to find success in Saskatchewan, he said it’s wonderful to have people appreciate what he does.
He said his main sources of inspiration when it comes to creating his music are his Christian faith and his desire to bring hope to the world. Different experiences and conversations with people also impact what he writes about.
Article content
He describes his album Arrow as diverse and eclectic. Drawing on his island roots when creating melodies, his music is a blend of reggae and R&B and he creates a unique and uplifting sound that he hopes inspires listeners.
“I wanted to take people on a journey and let them know that external forces or the climatic conditions that you may be living under might not suit how you perceive things should be,” he said. “However for me, as a believer, if you love God and submit to him, he’s able to direct you right to that specific target that you’re aiming (at).”
K-Anthony is grateful that his Juno nomination was supported by the TD Junos Submissions Access Program, which supports independent Canadian artists by covering the cost of up to five submissions per artist.
“It’s a challenge for independent artists so for an entity to have that as a support for independent artists is a wonderful thing.”
Recommended from Editorial
Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add The StarPhoenix.com and LeaderPost.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
Share this article in your social network
