Ghnewsnow Entertainment Desk is proud to present to you the 20 sterling Ghana reggae and dancehall artists featuring on the Where Di Money Riddim. These artists span the entire generational spectrum of the genre in Ghana right now. From Kente to Elis Koina, the Where Di Money project will unleash a barrage of experienced artists featuring alongside raw and new talent and here at Ghnewsnow,we will bring them all to you ahead of the release. Today,we shine the spotlight on JOHN Q.
Born John Kwesi Quansah in Accra – Ghana, John Q was enrolled into the famous Rev. John Teye Memorial Institute at age 4. As a pupil of Rev. John Teye Memorial Institute one was obliged to learn to play the piano, write poetry and ‘sing Mathematics’. This is where the foundations of music were
As a child, little Johnny wanted to be a serviceman, but destiny had different plans. Heavily influenced by his music education at the prestigious John Teye Institute, John gradually drifted towards music
After his basic school education at Rev. John Teye Memorial Institute, he proceeded to Accra High Senior School where his interest in music continued. He paid close attention to the Pop Chains which featured the best of High School bands in Accra. After his high school education, John Q migrated to the United States of America to join his mother.
In the US, he continued his education, bagging a Bachelors degree in Biology and Food Science.
The “hassle and bustle” of New York eventually led John Q to meet the late Gersham Nembhard of Jamaica and Jerry Anokuma Hanson;2 great lead guitarists, who taught John Q to play the guitar.
He formed a band in the Bronx with his two guitar teachers after he had gained enough confidence on the instrument and his mentors-turned-bandmates had endorsed his aptitude.
With the band, they performed at almost every opportunity and young John Q was picking up all the attitude and demeanor that characterizes a successful artistes persona. Unfortunately, both his bandmates passed away untimely. He needed a new approach. At this point John Q decided to write and compose more original songs whilst serving as an executive producer for Jamaican gospel singer Mellow Wayne.
While John’s mother battled Cancer, John Q would help his mother deal with the crisis by talking about music and sometimes singing to her. The pain of an early divorce also forced John Q to take a consolation in music.
Photo Courtesy:John Q
“Music has always been my consolation when I encounter challenges in life. My mother Rev. Juliana Solomon Sackey was a schoolteacher and a devoted pastor in Ghana for 30 years, and 20 years in New York; so, her words of encouragement regarding patience and hard work in his pursuit of a successful music career stayed with me every step of the way” John Q told Ghnewsnow.
In early 2016 he encountered Sidney Mills, the keyboardist for Steel Pulse who encouraged him to visit Jamaica with him. This trip proved extremely beneficial because it provided him the opportunity to record his “Feel Good Reggae” album at Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong studio.
“Recording at Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong studio was a dream come true… Jamaica is the Mecca of Reggae Music and the enormity of what I seek to unleash musically came to bear during my visit, especially my first day at Tuff Gong which coincided with Martin Luther King’s birthday. The various artistes I met whilst in Jamaica took the business of Reggae so serious – I realized I had big shoes to fill in if I want to be a Reggae Star.” he said about his visit.
A bonafide Reggae music aficionado, John Q puts in a lot of live instrumentation to give his music the grit needed to haunt the conscience of reggae lovers into the “Feel Good” mood.
John Q has worked with some heavyweights notable among them, Dean Fraser, Flabba Holt, Squidly Cole and C sharp as well as , Mike Chung.
John Q owns the SoldBx Recording Studio in The Bronx New York City; a studio that caters to many singers and rappers in The Bronx Jahbeloved and many other successful Reggae and Dance Hall artistes.
I was however inspired at the age of 12 when I heard Bob Marley’s “One Drop”, but the truth established now is that, music is the closest thing to God for me”.
John Q has booked a slot on the WHERE DI MONEY RIDDIM
