Jonathan Emile
{{short description|Jamaican-Canadian rapper, singer and record producer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Jonathan Emile
| image = Jonathan Emile - Tuff Gong (cropped).jpg
| caption = Emile during a recording session in 2019
| image_size =
| birth_name = Jonathan Whyte Potter-Mäl
| alias = Jon E
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|02|19}}
| birth_place = Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| origin = Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica
| genre = {{hlist|Conscious hip hop|reggae|R&B|spoken word|hip hop soul}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|poet|singer-songwriter|record producer}}
| years_active = 2009–present
| label = {{hlist|Mindpeacelove|Tuff Gong}}
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
- Denis Brott
- The Franco Proietti Morph-tet
- Kalmunity Vibe Collective
- Paul Cargnello
}}
| website = http://www.mindpeacelove.com
http://www.jonathanemile.com
}}
Jonathan Whyte Potter-Mäl (born February 19, 1986), known by his stage name Jonathan Emile (or Jon E), is a Jamaican Canadian singer, rapper, record producer and cancer survivor. In October 2015, he released his debut studio album, The Lover/Fighter Document LP, which incorporates elements of hip hop, reggae, jazz, R&B and electro-pop. The independent album features collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Murs, Buckshot and others. His debut reggae album, Spaces-in-Between, was released in January 2020 through his label MindPeaceLove and Tuff Gong.
Life and career
=Early life and cancer years=
Jonathan Whyte Potter-Mäl{{cite web|url=https://www.fasken.com/en/knowledge/2016/11/intellectualpropertybulletin-20161129/ |title=Quebec Court Awards Damages to Canadian Artist for Wrongful Copyright Takedown Notice by Record Companies |date=November 29, 2016 |publisher=Fasken |accessdate=May 5, 2020}} was born on February 19, 1986, in the LaSalle borough of Montreal, Quebec, to a Canadian and half-American father and a Jamaican mother.{{cite web|url=https://journalmetro.com/local/lasalle/2419011/bob-marley-album-reggae-jonathan-emile/ |title=Un LaSallois sous l'étiquette de Bob Marley |language=fr |date=February 10, 2020 |first=Carl |last=Sincennes |work=Métro |accessdate=May 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.2795/title.jonathan-emile-survived-cancer-kendrick-lamar-but-can-he-get-us-to-listen-to-the-loverfighter-document |title=Jonathan Emile Survived Cancer & Kendrick Lamar, But Can He Get Us To Listen To "The Lover/Fighter Document?" |date=October 19, 2015 |first=Andre |last=Grant |work=HipHopDX |accessdate=May 4, 2020}} He graduated from Selwyn House School in 2003.{{cite web|url=https://www.selwyn.ca/news-detail?pk=456077 |title=Jon Whyte Potter-Mal 2003 and the message of MPL |date=April 11, 2008 |publisher=Selwyn House School |accessdate=May 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.selwyn.ca/news-detail?pk=966919 |title=Jonathan Emile 2003 brings message of hope and justice to Selwyn House |date=February 26, 2015 |publisher=Selwyn House School |accessdate=May 4, 2020}}
Emile was trained at the Black Theatre Workshop youth initiative in Montreal. During and after his cancer treatment, he independently developed his knowledge on studio production and musical composition, taking on vocal training and learning to play the guitar and keyboard.{{cite web|url=https://www.theibsc.org/conferences-events/past-events/2019ac/speakers/thursday |title=2019 IBSC Annual Conference – Jonathan Emile: His Story. His Voice. |publisher=International Boys' Schools Coalition |accessdate=May 4, 2020}}
At the age of 18, Emile was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive and highly malignant form of cancer. For the next two years, during which he underwent one year of chemotherapy treatments, followed by radiation, he employed his philosophy of "Mindpeacelove", creating music in the hospital and between his treatments. He finished treatment in December 2005 and completed his remission in December 2010.{{cite news|url=http://dtkmen.com/2015/01/18/mindpeacelove-jonathan-emile/ |title=MindPeaceLove With Jonathan Emile |date=January 18, 2015 |first=Lucy |last=Weng |work=DTK Men |accessdate=October 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916090808/http://dtkmen.com/2015/01/18/mindpeacelove-jonathan-emile/ |archive-date=September 16, 2015 |url-status=dead}}
=2009–2018: ''The Lover/Fighter Document EP'', ''LP'' and ''Phantom Pain''=
Emile founded his own record label MindPeaceLove Ent., cooperating with a number of artists including singers, songwriters, producers and sound engineers. He declared that he would continue to use his label "as a platform to support new artists and to keep his musical creations flowing".{{Cite news|url=http://montrealcommunitycontact.com/jonathan-emile-launches-full-length-reggae-album/|title=Jonathan Emile launches full length reggae album|publisher=Montreal Community Contact|date=February 25, 2020|accessdate=May 3, 2020}}
In 2009, Emile released The Lover/Fighter Document EP through his label.{{citation |url=http://www.earshot-online.com/charts/chartpos.cfm?checkList=86396&dWeekOfID=2009-06-30 |title=Earshot: National Campus and Community Radio Report Chart Appearances (Canada)| date= June 30, 2009}} In 2013, he made his theatrical debut in the Montreal production of the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin'.{{cite news| last = Donnelly | first = Pat | title =Review: Ain't Misbehavin': From music to dance moves, this one's a winner | work =The Gazette | date =October 3, 2013}} His performance achieved broad critical acclaim from both English and French media for his performance of André De Shields' original role and his notable interpretation of "The Viper's Drag".{{cite news| last = LeMay | first = Daniel | title =Ain't Misbehavin' : pas de révolution, que du plaisir!: From music to dance moves, this one's a winner | work =The Presse | date =October 4, 2013}}{{cite news| last = Pearson | first = Meghan | title =Ain't Misbehavin' Brings Down the House at the Segal Centre | publisher =BroadwayWorld.com | date =October 17, 2013}}
On October 9, 2015, Emile released The Lover/Fighter Document LP, which incorporates elements of reggae, jazz, R&B and electro-pop. The album features collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Murs and Buckshot.{{cite news| last = Emile| first =Jonathan| title =Jonathan Emile – Music | publisher= iTunes Store | url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/the-lover-fighter-document-lp/1037129903 | date =October 9, 2015}} Emile worked and toured with material from the album while attending McGill University as a philosophy and political science major.{{cite web |last=Macdonald |first=Darcy |title=Jonathan Emile drops a record today |date=October 9, 2015 |url=http://cultmontreal.com/2015/10/jonathan-emile-the-loverfighter-document-lp/ |publisher=CULT MTL |accessdate=October 9, 2015 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016014940/http://cultmontreal.com/2015/10/jonathan-emile-the-loverfighter-document-lp/ |url-status=dead }} He released "Heaven Help Dem", featuring vocals by Kendrick Lamar, as the album's first single.{{cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/music/jonathan-emiles-bittersweet-song-of-peace|author=Erik Leijon|title=Jonathan Emile's bittersweet song of peace|work=The Gazette |date=February 6, 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/jonathan-emile-heaven-help-dem-kendrick-lamar-verse/|author=Slava Pastuk|title=Why Can't You Listen to That New Kendrick Lamar Verse on Jonathan Emile's "Heaven Help Dem"? (interview)|work=Vice }}{{cite news|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2015/01/kendrick-lamar-jonathan-emile-heaven-help-dem/|author= Emmanuel C.M.|title=Kendrick Lamar And Jonathan Emile 'Heaven Help Dem'|work=XXL | date= January 13, 2015}}
On December 29, 2016, Emile released his second studio album Phantom Pain.{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/jonathan_emile_details_his_phantom_pain |title=Jonathan Emile Details His 'Phantom Pain' |date=December 21, 2016 |first=Brock |last=Thiessen |work=Exclaim! |accessdate=May 4, 2020}}
=2019–present: ''Spaces-in-Between''=
File:Jonathan Emile - Canopy Growth’s Tweed Shindig 2019.jpg, Ontario, in 2019]]
In October 2019, Emile signed a distribution deal with Jamaican record label Tuff Gong, becoming the first artist from Quebec to do so.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=744004272742008 |title=Jonathan Emile Signs To Tuff Gong International |date=October 26, 2019 |publisher=Jonathan Emile / Facebook |accessdate=May 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://news.theurbanmusicscene.com/2020/01/jonathan-emile-releases-new-album-spaces-in-between/ |title=Reggae Singer Jonathan Emile Releases New Album "Spaces-In-Between" {{!}} WATCH VIDEO for Single "Try A Likkle More"! |date=January 27, 2020 |website=TheUrbanMusicScene.com |accessdate=May 4, 2020}} He released "Savanna", the first single from his upcoming third studio album Spaces-in-Between, shortly after.{{cite web|url=https://rootfire.net/first-listen-johnathan-emile-savanna/ |title=First Listen: Jonathan Emile – "Savanna" |date=October 24, 2019 |first=Devin |last=Morrison |work=Rootfire |accessdate=May 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/jonathan-emile-takes-aim_178287?profile=1463 |title=Jonathan Emile takes aim |date=October 28, 2019 |work=Jamaica Observer |accessdate=May 4, 2020}} The song is named after his family's home town of Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica, where Emile spent a part of his childhood.{{cite web|url=https://www.theurbaninfluencer.com/article/jonathan-emile-releases-savanna-video |title=Jonathan Emile Releases 'Savanna' Video |date=November 11, 2019 |work=The Urban Influencer |accessdate=May 4, 2020}} In December 2019, Emile released the album's second single "Moses",{{cite web|url=https://www.largeup.com/2019/12/06/jonathan-emile-moses-video/ |title=LargeUp Premiere: Watch Jonathan Emile's Moving, Poignant "Moses" Video |date=December 6, 2019 |first=Jesse |last=Serwer |work=LargeUp |accessdate=May 4, 2020}} with its third single "Try a Likkle More" released the following month.{{cite web|url=https://www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/jonathan-emile/videos/video/jonathan-emile-try-a-likkle-more/ |title=Jonathan Emile - Try a Likkle More [1/23/2020] |date=January 23, 2020 |work=Reggaeville |accessdate=May 4, 2020}}
Spaces-in-Between was released on January 24, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.largeup.com/2020/01/23/jonathan-emile-spaces-in-between-lp/ |title=LargeUp Premiere: Stream Jonathan Emile's 'Spaces-in-Between' LP |date=January 23, 2020 |work=LargeUp |accessdate=May 4, 2020}} The 10-track album produced and co-composed by Paul Cargnello contains all original compositions and collaborations with Ezra Lewis and Chanda T. Holmes. Emile also announced that another hip hop album with some reggae influences and a live reggae album had been recorded in 2019.
In February 2020, Emile collaborated with Jamaican singer Etana on the remix of "Canopy", the third song from Spaces-in-Between.{{cite web|url=https://www.theurbaninfluencer.com/article/jonathan-emile-delivers-love-soaked-canopy-remix-feat-etana |title=Jonathan Emile Delivers Love-Soaked "Canopy (Remix)" feat. Etana |date=February 25, 2020 |work=The Urban Influencer |accessdate=May 4, 2020}} In April 2020, he released a music video for the album's first song "Keep on Fighting", which was also released as a single in French with the title "Solidarité".{{cite web|url=https://topshelfmusicmag.com/videos/world-video-premiere-jonathan-emile-keep-on-fighting/ |title=WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Jonathan Emile "Keep On Fighting" |date=April 24, 2020 |first=Jenni |last=Lynne |work=Top Shelf Music |accessdate=May 4, 2020}}
In June 2020, Emile released "Babylon Is Falling" with singer Maxi Priest. The collaboration is a remix of a song originally featured on the album Spaces-in-Between.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-27|title='Fire a go burn pon your idiot plan' - Maxi Priest, Canadian activist decry injustice in remixed song|url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20200627/fire-go-burn-pon-your-idiot-plan-maxi-priest-canadian-activist-decry|access-date=2020-07-07|website=jamaica-gleaner.com|language=en}}
Artistry
Emile composes and performs in the genres of hip hop, reggae, R&B and electro-pop. His vocal performance and recording style includes singing, rapping, freestyling and scatting in English, French and Jamaican Patois.{{cite news| last =Labri-Aissa| first = Sonia| title =Lover, fighter, and artist on the rise | work=McGill Daily | url= http://www.mcgilldaily.com/2015/09/lover-fighter-and-artist-on-the-rise/ | date =September 1, 2015}} Emile is concerned largely with creating contemporary popular hip hop and reggae fused with soul music that addresses social, spiritual and moral issues.
Controversy with Top Dawg Entertainment
In the aftermath of the death of 18-year-old Fredy Villanueva, who was shot and killed by Montreal Police in 2008, Emile recorded "Heaven Help Dem", which was featured on The Lover/Fighter Document EP and addressed urban violence and police brutality against visible minorities. A second version of the song featuring American rapper Kendrick Lamar was later included on Emile's debut studio album The Lover/Fighter Document LP and directly addressed Villanueva and other victims of police brutality in North America, including Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2049377/kendrick-lamar-jonathan-emile-heaven-help-dem/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121073008/http://www.mtv.com/news/2049377/kendrick-lamar-jonathan-emile-heaven-help-dem/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar addresses the murders of black youths on "Heaven Help Dem" |date=January 14, 2015 |first=Adam |last=Fleischer |publisher=MTV |accessdate=May 3, 2020}} Lamar recorded his verse for the song in 2011 prior to signing a deal with Interscope Records.{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/jonathan-emile-heaven-help-dem-kendrick-lamar-verse/ |title=Why Can't You Listen to that New Kendrick Lamar Verse on Jonathan Emile's "Heaven Help Dem"? |date=January 23, 2015 |first=Slava |last=Pastuk |work=Vice |access-date=May 3, 2020}}
Just eight days after the song's release online in 2015, Lamar's record label Top Dawg Entertainment demanded the track be taken down on grounds of copyright infringement. Emile disputed this with YouTube and SoundCloud who had both withdrawn the song, clarifying to Billboard that his camp "paid Kendrick Lamar for a feature, and once we paid them, they basically stopped communicating with us altogether."{{cite news|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/11/top-dawg-entertainment-loses-lawsuit-canadian-rapper/ |title=Top Dawg Entertainment Loses Lawsuit to Canadian Rapper |date=November 24, 2016 |first=Vernon |last=Coleman II |work=XXL |accessdate=May 3, 2020}} The song was restored on the two platforms two months after its removal.{{cite news|url=https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.3175957 |title=Jonathan Emile vs. record label |publisher=CTV News |accessdate=May 3, 2020}}
As a result of the song's removal, Emile sued Top Dawg Entertainment, Interscope and Universal Music Group. In November 2016, he was awarded CA$8,600 plus five percent yearly interest after a Quebec court ruled that Top Dawg Entertainment had wrongfully pulled "Heaven Help Dem" off the internet.{{cite web|url=https://www.iheartradio.ca/news/jonathan-emile-wins-court-case-against-kendrick-lamar-1.2231818 |title=Jonathan Emile Wins Court Case Against Kendrick Lamar |date=November 24, 2016 |first=Séverine |last=Baron |work=iHeartRadio Canada |accessdate=May 4, 2020}} The court determined that Emile had suffered financially, while his reputation also suffered due to the insinuation that his use of Lamar's verse was a copyright violation.{{Cite web|title=Montreal rapper wins fight against major label over collaboration with Kendrick Lamar {{!}} National Post|url=https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/music/montreal-rapper-wins-fight-against-major-label-over-collaboration-with-kendrick-lamar|last1=Culture|last2=Music|date=2016-11-24|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-05-06}} Emile declared that the verdict was a matter of vindication of what is right and not a monetary issue.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7587881/canadian-rapper-jonathan-emile-suit-against-kendrick-lamar-top-dawg-entertainment-prove-point |title=Canadian Rapper Wins Suit Against Kendrick Lamar's Label Top Dawg Entertainment, Just to Prove a Point |date=November 22, 2016 |first=Karen |last=Bliss |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=May 3, 2020}} Following further legal threats by Lamar's management, Emile penned an open letter to Lamar on the matter in March 2017.{{cite news|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/montreal_rapper_jonathan_emile_pens_open_letter_to_kendrick_lamar_about_top_dawg_entertainment_lawsuit |title=Jonathan Emile Pens Open Letter to Kendrick Lamar Following Further Legal Threats over TDE Lawsuit |date=March 14, 2017 |first=Calum |last=Slingerland |work=Exclaim! |accessdate=May 4, 2020}}
Activism and philanthropy
Emile has shared his experiences, ambition and music offering mentoring and giving workshops to urban youth on various occasions.{{cite web | last=Kersey |first=Molly | title= Bexley School Celebrates Black History Month |work= Bexley Times | url=http://www.bexleytimes.co.uk/news/bexley_school_celebrates_black_history_month_1_3817502| accessdate=October 23, 2014}}
As a Jamaican Canadian and a member of the black community, Emile participates in Black History Month and other community events.{{cite web |first= Shari |last= Okeke|title=Union United Church Seeks $600K in Funding for Urgent Repairs | publisher= CBC News | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/union-united-church-seeks-600k-in-funding-for-urgent-repairs-1.2875907 |date= December 17, 2014}}{{cite news|first= Alycia|last= Ambroziak|title= Black History Month in Full Gear in The West Island|work= Montreal West Island Chronicle|url= http://www.westislandchronicle.com/My-neighborhood-/2015-02-17/article-4046453/Black-History-Month-in-full-gear-in-the-West-Island/1|date= February 17, 2015|access-date= October 20, 2015|archive-date= March 30, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150330205343/http://www.westislandchronicle.com/My-neighborhood-/2015-02-17/article-4046453/Black-History-Month-in-full-gear-in-the-West-Island/1|url-status= dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://globalnews.ca/video/1849476/jonathan-emile-on-black-history-month |title=CTV Global News: Jonathan Emile on Black History Month (25 February 2015) |access-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082109/http://globalnews.ca/video/1849476/jonathan-emile-on-black-history-month |url-status=dead }} In 2013, he engaged in a "Songs of Freedom" tour of Montreal-area schools with the motto "Music as a tool for communication and social change". The tour included 15 different venues.{{Cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/world/jonathan-emile-brings-soul-to-school/|author=Kathryn Greenaway|title=Jonathan Emile brings soul to school|publisher=Montreal Gazette|date=January 29, 2013|accessdate=May 3, 2020}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of mixtapes, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:10em"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:20em"| Details |
| scope="row"| The Lover/Fighter Document EP
|
|
|---|
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
==As featured artist==
=Guest appearances=
Filmography
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| style="background: #b0c4de; text-align: center;" colspan="4"| Film |
|---|
| 2011
| Look Again | Prospective buyer |
| 2013
| The Horse Latitudes | Male nurse | Short film |
| 2016
| Serialized | Officer Bradford | Television film |
| 2018
| Courier |
| style="background: #b0c4de; text-align: center;" colspan="4"| Television |
| 2012
| Tall Orderly | Episode: "When I Think About You I Shred Myself" |
| 2016
| Fatal Vows | Detective Kip Young | Episode: "The Clark Case" |
| 2017
| Lost Generation | Van | Episode: "Good Learner" |
| 2018
| Members Only | Episode: "The Boy" |
| 2019
| Deadly Secrets | Lonnie | Episode: "A Killer Hand" |
References
;Notes
{{reflist|group=upper-alpha}}
;Citations
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Jonathan Emile}}
- {{Official website}}
- [http://www.mindpeacelove.com/ Mindpeacelove Records – Official website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Emile, Jonathan}}
Category:21st-century Black Canadian musicians
Category:Canadian people of Jamaican descent
Category:Canadian male rappers
Category:21st-century Canadian rappers
Category:Musicians from Montreal