Talk:Jonathan Emile

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Grammy Nomination 2011[edit]

I recently read Jonathan Emile was nominated for a grammy for 2011. He does not appear in the final selections. http://bomplist.xnet2.com/1011/msg00019.html http://www.frazegang.com/news.htm http://www.bongobeat.com/news_item.php?p_news_id=162 there is a pdf here http://www.mediafire.com/?w6rokzgkqodzpnc JusticeBlack (talk) 09:22, 9 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I doubt that is sufficient coverage. These are not news sources. 132.216.19.216 (talk) 17:50, 10 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Radio[edit]

I heard like a 10 minute radio spot about him on CBC radio in January but I can't seem to find the link online. The interview was by Duke Eatmond.(132.216.59.138 (talk) 17:20, 9 March 2010 (UTC))[reply]

I recently heard Jonathan Emile mentioned in another interview with Drew Da White Boy -- also by the same guy on CBC 70.81.121.134 (talk) 12:11, 5 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Years Active[edit]

It says 2006 and on... but he only released something in September 2009. I think it should be changed to 2009 even though he was doing stuff underground before. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.81.121.134 (talk) 07:57, 25 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]

I'll Change it to 2009 if no-one has any objections. Materiel prior to that date is undocumented. I also will insert new sources. http://www.apathyisboring.com/preview/en/music_and_media/82 & http://www.theconcordian.com/jonathan-emile-stays-conscious-in-a-commercial-world-1.1306722 & http://www.theconcordian.com/singing-in-a-lab-coat-max-helfer-balances-music-hobby-with-physics-studies-1.1306784 & http://www.whatsyourstrive.com/?p=2352 & http://meetyouattheshow.com/main/2009/11/interview-jonathan-emile/JusticeBlack (talk) 20:28, 12 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Makes sense. Though some of the source materiel appears before 2009. This is prior to any musical release.Wikiwahwah5 (talk) 21:46, 17 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]

External Links + More References[edit]

Should there be a section for external links? Not sure how this works. Just wondering. Also there are more available references. I think they are significant enough to be incorperated: Featured on CBC Radio: http://www.radio3.cbc.ca/blogs/2009/3/LB-The-Rap-Sheet-Is-All-New-To-NMC Mention in another CTV interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95qyyGO_Li0 Radio Interview: http://www.wefunkradio.com/show/2007-06-01 Someone else should insert these. I may make a mess. Still new to this. 132.216.59.141 (talk) 12:52, 2 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I made some large improvements on the article however I did not include your references because they are minimal at best. Thanks Anyways.JusticeBlack (talk) 15:05, 16 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Name[edit]

Is Jonathan Emile his birth name?132.216.59.141 (talk) 18:51, 26 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

In a A Montreal News paper [1] it is said that his name is "Jonathan Whyte Potter-Mal", but it's not clear if this is his birth name or not. JusticeBlack (talk) 19:08, 26 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

References

  1. ^ http://www.communitycontact.net/article.php?id=247

Picture[edit]

What about a picture? There are a couple online. 70.81.121.134 (talk) 14:53, 29 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

We need to have photos that are free of copyright. Online photos usually are not "free". Mattnad (talk) 14:55, 29 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Maybe his album cover. His face is pretty clear on it and it is copyright "free" hi-res png. It's found at discogs.com... better than the one found at allmusic.com or hmv.com. JusticeBlack (talk) 16:54, 29 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Okay I've been bold. Sent and email, got permission and uploaded some free sourced images. JusticeBlack (talk) 18:32, 29 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Sweet! 132.216.59.141 (talk) 19:32, 29 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Discography[edit]

Shouldn't his albums be on a different page? 132.206.33.156 (talk) 17:30, 7 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

He only has 1 official release so might as well leave it how it is. JusticeBlack (talk) 08:29, 9 December 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Edit request[edit]

Clean-up and updates to be integrated with recent edits made to the article (draft here was created from this revision).

  • Infobox:
    • Include "Jonathan Whyte Potter-Mal" as birth name
  • Lead section:
    • Include "Jonathan Whyte Potter-Mal" as birth name
  • Early life and cancer years:
    • Expand section to include info on parents' origins and time at Selwyn House
  • 2009–2018:
    • Clean-up on formatting and grammar
  • 2019–present:
    • Expand section to include info on distribution deal with Tuff Gong, single releases and release of third album
    • Include info on collaboration with Etana and release of "Solidarité" video
  • Controversy with Kendrick Lamar:
    • Change title to "Controversy with Top Dawg Entertainment" as the lawsuit was filed by the label, not the artist
    • Move from sub-section under "Activism and philanthropy" to section below "Artistry"
    • Clean up section to exclude puffery and other unnecessary info
Extended content

Jonathan Emile
Emile performing live at McGill University in 2011
Emile performing live at McGill University in 2011
Background information
Birth nameJonathan Whyte Potter-Mal
Also known asJon E
Born (1986-02-19) February 19, 1986 (age 38)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
OriginNegril, Jamaica
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • poet
  • singer-songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2009–present
Labels
Websitehttp://www.mindpeacelove.com http://www.jonathanemile.com

Jonathan Whyte Potter-Mal (born February 19, 1986), known by his stage name Jonathan Emile (or Jon E), is a Jamaican Canadian rapper, singer, record producer and activist. In October 2015, he released his debut studio album, The Lover/Fighter Document LP. His second studio album, Phantom Pain, was released in December 2016. His third studio album and first reggae album, Spaces-in-Between, was released in January 2020.

Life and career
Early life and cancer years

Jonathan Whyte Potter-Mal[1] was born on February 19, 1986 in the LaSalle borough of Montreal, Quebec to a half-American father and a Jamaican mother.[2][3][4] He graduated from Selwyn House School in 2003.[5][6]

Emile was trained at The Black Theatre Workshop youth initiative in Montreal with aspirations to become an actor. At the age of 17, he was diagnosed with a rapidly growing cancerous tumor.[7] 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.[8] For the next two years, 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.[9]

2009–2018: The Lover/Fighter Document EP, LP and Phantom Pain

In 2009, Emile released The Lover/Fighter Document EP.[10] In 2013, he made his theatrical debut in the Montreal production of the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin'.[11] 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".[12][13]

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.[14] Emile worked and toured with material from the album while attending McGill University as a philosophy and political science major.[15] He released "Heaven Help Dem" as a separate release taken from his album, featuring vocals by Kendrick Lamar.[16][17][18]

On December 29, 2016, Emile released his second studio album Phantom Pain.[19]

2019–present: Spaces-in-Between

In October 2019, Emile signed a distribution deal with Jamaican record label Tuff Gong, becoming the first artist from Quebec to do so.[20][2] He released "Savanna", the first single from his upcoming third studio album Spaces-in-Between, shortly after.[21][22] The song is named after his family's home town of Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica, where Emile spent a part of his childhood.[23] In December 2019, Emile released the album's second single "Moses",[24] with its third single "Try a Likkle More" released the following month.[25] Spaces-in-Between was ultimately released on January 24, 2020.[26]

In February 2020, Emile collaborated with Jamaican singer Etana on the remix of "Canopy", the third song from Spaces-in-Between.[27] 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".[28]

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.[29] Emile is concerned largely with creating contemporary popular hip hop and reggae fused with soul music that addresses social, spiritual and moral issues.[4]

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.[30] Lamar recorded his verse for the song in 2011 prior to signing a deal with Interscope Records.[31]

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 just 8 days later.[31] 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."[32] The song was restored on the two platforms two months after its removal.[33] In November 2016, Emile was awarded CA$8,600 plus five percent interest after a Quebec small claims court ruled that Top Dawg Entertainment had wrongfully pulled "Heaven Help Dem" off the internet.[34] Emile declared that the verdict was a matter of vindication of what is right and not a strictly monetary issue.[35]

Following further legal threats by Lamar's management, Emile penned an open letter to Lamar on the matter in March 2017.[36]

Activism and philanthropy

He shared his experiences, ambition and music offering mentoring and giving workshops to urban youth.[37]

As a Jamaican Canadian and a member of the black community, Jonathan Emile performs and participates in Black History Month events.[38][39][40]

Discography
Studio albums
List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Details
The Lover/Fighter Document LP
Phantom Pain
  • Released: December 27, 2016[42]
  • Label: Mindpeacelove
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Spaces-in-Between
  • Released: January 24, 2020[43]
  • Label: Mindpeacelove, Tuff Gong
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Extended plays
List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Details
The Lover/Fighter Document EP
  • Released: March 17, 2009[44]
  • Label: Mindpeacelove
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Singles
As lead artist
Title Year Album
"Heaven Help Dem"[45]
(featuring Kendrick Lamar) 		2015 The Lover/Fighter Document LP
"Viva Fidel!"[46] 2016 Phantom Pain
"Where We Go from Here"[47]
"Searching"[48] Non-album singles
"Limit"[49]
(featuring Ezra Lewis)
"Do You Feel Me?"[50]
(featuring Tristan D. Lalla and Tek Luciano) 		2017
"Wilderness"[51] 2018
"Savanna"[52] 2019 Spaces-in-Between
"Moses"[53]
"Canopy (Remix)"[A][54]
(featuring Etana) 		2020
"Solidarité"[B][55]
As featured artist
Title Year Album
"Ramadan (Appropriated Remix)"[56]
(Cee featuring Jonathan Emile, Notion and Natasha Marie) 		2017 Non-album singles
"Bold & Bright"[57]
(Kellyssa featuring Ezra Lewis and Jonathan Emile) 		2018
Guest appearances
List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Never Looking Back"[58] 2013 joBlow, Shae Nicole Poor People Music
"This Is All I Know"[59] 2014 Cee This Is All I Know
"After Dark"[60] Gabriel Teodros, SoulChef Evidence of Things Not Seen
"What It Is"[61] 2016 Skinny Bros, KRS-One, James Di Salvio Party Gras
"Real Talk"[62] 2017 Notion, I L Lvibe Heart on My Sleeve
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
Film
2011 Look Again Prospective buyer Television film
2013 The Horse Latitudes Male nurse Short film
2016 Serialized Officer Bradford Television film
2018 On the Basis of Sex Courier Feature film
Television
2012 Being Human 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 Jack Ryan Members Only Episode: "The Boy"
2019 Deadly Secrets Lonnie Episode: "A Killer Hand"
References
Notes
  1. ^ Only the original (solo) version appears on Spaces-in-Between.
  2. ^ Appears on Spaces-in-Between in English as "Keep on Fighting".
Citations
  1. ^ "Jonathan Whyte Potter-Mal". Companies of Canada. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Reggae Singer Jonathan Emile Releases New Album "Spaces-In-Between" | WATCH VIDEO for Single "Try A Likkle More"!". TheUrbanMusicScene.com. January 27, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  3. ^ Sincennes, Carl (February 10, 2020). "Un LaSallois sous l'étiquette de Bob Marley". Métro (in French). Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Grant, Andre (October 19, 2015). "Jonathan Emile Survived Cancer & Kendrick Lamar, But Can He Get Us To Listen To "The Lover/Fighter Document?"". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  5. ^ "Jon Whyte Potter-Mal 2003 and the message of MPL". Selwyn House School. April 11, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  6. ^ "Jonathan Emile 2003 brings message of hope and justice to Selwyn House". Selwyn House School. February 26, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  7. ^ Lurie, Robert (June 21, 2012). "Jonathan Emile Report CTV National & Local News". CTV News / YouTube.
  8. ^ "2019 IBSC Annual Conference – Jonathan Emile: His Story. His Voice". International Boys' Schools Coalition. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  9. ^ Weng, Lucy (January 18, 2015). "MindPeaceLove With Jonathan Emile". DTK Men. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  10. ^ Earshot: National Campus and Community Radio Report Chart Appearances (Canada), June 30, 2009
  11. ^ Donnelly, Pat (October 3, 2013). "Review: Ain't Misbehavin': From music to dance moves, this one's a winner". The Gazette.
  12. ^ LeMay, Daniel (October 4, 2013). "Ain't Misbehavin' : pas de révolution, que du plaisir!: From music to dance moves, this one's a winner". The Presse.
  13. ^ Pearson, Meghan (October 17, 2013). "Ain't Misbehavin' Brings Down the House at the Segal Centre". BroadwayWorld.com.
  14. ^ Emile, Jonathan (October 9, 2015). "Jonathan Emile – Music". iTunes Store.
  15. ^ Macdonald, Darcy. "Jonathan Emile drops a record today". CULT MTL. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  16. ^ Erik Leijon (February 6, 2015). "Jonathan Emile's bittersweet song of peace". The Gazette.
  17. ^ Slava Pastuk. "Why Can't You Listen to That New Kendrick Lamar Verse on Jonathan Emile's "Heaven Help Dem"? (interview)". Vice.
  18. ^ Emmanuel C.M. (January 13, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar And Jonathan Emile 'Heaven Help Dem'". XXL.
  19. ^ Thiessen, Brock (December 21, 2016). "Jonathan Emile Details His 'Phantom Pain'". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  20. ^ "Jonathan Emile Signs To Tuff Gong International". Jonathan Emile / Facebook. October 26, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  21. ^ Morrison, Devin (October 24, 2019). "First Listen: Jonathan Emile – "Savanna"". Rootfire. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  22. ^ "Jonathan Emile takes aim". Jamaica Observer. October 28, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  23. ^ "Jonathan Emile Releases 'Savanna' Video". The Urban Influencer. November 11, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  24. ^ Serwer, Jesse (December 6, 2019). "LargeUp Premiere: Watch Jonathan Emile's Moving, Poignant "Moses" Video". LargeUp. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  25. ^ "Jonathan Emile - Try a Likkle More [1/23/2020]". Reggaeville. January 23, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  26. ^ "LargeUp Premiere: Stream Jonathan Emile's 'Spaces-in-Between' LP". LargeUp. January 23, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  27. ^ "Jonathan Emile Delivers Love-Soaked "Canopy (Remix)" feat. Etana". The Urban Influencer. February 25, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  28. ^ Lynne, Jenni (April 24, 2020). "WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Jonathan Emile "Keep On Fighting"". Top Shelf Music. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  29. ^ Labri-Aissa, Sonia (September 1, 2015). "Lover, fighter, and artist on the rise". McGill Daily.
  30. ^ Fleischer, Adam (January 14, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar addresses the murders of black youths on "Heaven Help Dem"". MTV. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  31. ^ a b Pastuk, Slava (January 23, 2015). "Why Can't You Listen to that New Kendrick Lamar Verse on Jonathan Emile's "Heaven Help Dem"?". Vice. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  32. ^ Coleman II, Vernon (November 24, 2016). "Top Dawg Entertainment Loses Lawsuit to Canadian Rapper". XXL. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  33. ^ "Jonathan Emile vs. record label". CTV News. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  34. ^ Baron, Séverine (November 24, 2016). "Jonathan Emile Wins Court Case Against Kendrick Lamar". iHeartRadio Canada. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  35. ^ Bliss, Karen (November 22, 2016). "Canadian Rapper Wins Suit Against Kendrick Lamar's Label Top Dawg Entertainment, Just to Prove a Point". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  36. ^ Slingerland, Calum (March 14, 2017). "Jonathan Emile Pens Open Letter to Kendrick Lamar Following Further Legal Threats over TDE Lawsuit". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  37. ^ Kersey, Molly. "Bexley School Celebrates Black History Month". Bexley Times. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  38. ^ Okeke, Shari (December 17, 2014). "Union United Church Seeks $600K in Funding for Urgent Repairs". CBC News.
  39. ^ Ambroziak, Alycia (February 17, 2015). "Black History Month in Full Gear in The West Island". Montreal West Island Chronicle.
  40. ^ CTV Global News: Jonathan Emile on Black History Month (25 February 2015)
  41. ^ "The Lover / Fighter Document LP by Jonathan Emile". October 9, 2015. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  42. ^ Thiessen, Brock (December 27, 2016). "Jonathan Emile 'Phantom Pain' (album stream)". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  43. ^ "Spaces-in-Between by Jonathan Emile". January 24, 2020. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  44. ^ "The Lover/Fighter Document by Jonathan Emile". March 17, 2009. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  45. ^ "Heaven Help Dem (feat. Kendrick Lamar) - Single by Jonathan Emile". January 19, 2015. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  46. ^ "Viva Fidel - Single by Jonathan Emile". March 21, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  47. ^ "Where We Go From Here by Jonathan Emile". May 9, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Spotify.
  48. ^ "Searching - Single by Jonathan Emile". June 22, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  49. ^ "Limit (feat. Ezra Lewis) - Single by Jonathan Emile". November 25, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  50. ^ "Do You Feel Me? (feat. Tristan D. Lalla & Tek Luciano) - Single by Jonathan Emile". July 10, 2017. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  51. ^ "Wilderness - Single by Jonathan Emile". September 14, 2018. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  52. ^ "Savanna - Single by Jonathan Emile". October 25, 2019. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  53. ^ "Moses - Single by Jonathan Emile". December 5, 2019. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  54. ^ "Canopy (Remix) [feat. Etana] - Single by Jonathan Emile". February 14, 2020. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  55. ^ "Solidarité - Single by Jonathan Emile". March 20, 2020. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  56. ^ "‎Ramadan (Appropriated Remix) [feat. Jonathan Emile, Notion & Natasha Marie] - Single by Cee". March 24, 2017. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  57. ^ "Bold & Bright (feat. Ezra Lewis & Jonathan Emile) - Single by Kellyssa". October 4, 2018. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  58. ^ "Poor People Music | joBlow". August 18, 2013. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Bandcamp.
  59. ^ "This Is All I Know by Cee". April 10, 2014. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  60. ^ "Evidence of Things Not Seen by SoulChef & Gabriel Teodros". October 28, 2014. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  61. ^ "Party Gras by Skinny Bros". February 16, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  62. ^ "Heart On My Sleeve by Notion". April 28, 2017. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
External links


Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:Black Canadian musicians Category:Canadian people of Jamaican descent Category:Jamaican rappers Category:Canadian male rappers Category:21st-century Canadian rappers Category:Musicians from Montreal Category:Cancer survivors

Davykamanzi → talk • contribs • alter ego 18:05, 4 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Revisions:
  • Slight edits to lead (largely matches current revision, without red links)
  • Slight edits to "Early life and cancer years", unsourced statement "with aspirations to become an actor" removed
  • Slight edit to second paragraph of "2009–2018" (info on release of "Heaven Help Dem" single)
  • Slight edits to "2019–present" (info on release of Spaces-in-Between)
  • Slight edits to last paragraph of "Controversy with Top Dawg Entertainment" (lawsuit and conclusion)
Extended content

Jonathan Emile
Emile during a recording session in 2019
Emile during a recording session in 2019
Background information
Birth nameJonathan Whyte Potter-Mäl
Also known asJon E
Born (1986-02-19) February 19, 1986 (age 38)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
OriginNegril, Jamaica
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • poet
  • singer-songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2009–present
Labels
Websitehttp://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 rapper, singer, record producer, activist and cancer survivor. In October 2015, he released his debut studio album, The Lover/Fighter Document LP, which incorporates elements of 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[1] was born on February 19, 1986 in the LaSalle borough of Montreal, Quebec to a half-American father and a Jamaican mother.[2][3][4] He graduated from Selwyn House School in 2003.[5][6]

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.[7]

At the age of 18, Emile was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive and highly malignant form of cancer.[3] 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.[8]

2009–2018: The Lover/Fighter Document EP, LP and Phantom Pain

In 2009, Emile released The Lover/Fighter Document EP.[9] In 2013, he made his theatrical debut in the Montreal production of the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin'.[10] 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".[11][12]

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.[13] Emile worked and toured with material from the album while attending McGill University as a philosophy and political science major.[14] He released "Heaven Help Dem", featuring vocals by Kendrick Lamar, as the album's first single.[15][16][17]

On December 29, 2016, Emile released his second studio album Phantom Pain.[18]

2019–present: Spaces-in-Between
Emile performing in Smiths Falls, 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.[19][2] He released "Savanna", the first single from his upcoming third studio album Spaces-in-Between, shortly after.[20][21] The song is named after his family's home town of Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica, where Emile spent a part of his childhood.[22] In December 2019, Emile released the album's second single "Moses",[23] with its third single "Try a Likkle More" released the following month.[24]

Spaces-in-Between was released on January 24, 2020.[25] 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.[2]

In February 2020, Emile collaborated with Jamaican singer Etana on the remix of "Canopy", the third song from Spaces-in-Between.[26] 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".[27]

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.[28] Emile is concerned largely with creating contemporary popular hip hop and reggae fused with soul music that addresses social, spiritual and moral issues.[4]

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.[29] Lamar recorded his verse for the song in 2011 prior to signing a deal with Interscope Records.[30]

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 just 8 days later.[30] 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."[31] The song was restored on the two platforms two months after its removal.[32]

As for the song's removal, Emile sued Top Dawg Entertainment, Interscope and Universal Music Group in small claims court. 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.[33] Emile declared that the verdict was a matter of vindication of what is right and not a strictly monetary issue.[34] Following further legal threats by Lamar's management, Emile penned an open letter to Lamar on the matter in March 2017.[35]

Activism and philanthropy

He shared his experiences, ambition and music offering mentoring and giving workshops to urban youth.[36]

As a Jamaican Canadian and a member of the black community, Jonathan Emile performs and participates in Black History Month events.[37][38][39]

Discography
Studio albums
List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Details
The Lover/Fighter Document LP
Phantom Pain
  • Released: December 27, 2016[41]
  • Label: Mindpeacelove
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Spaces-in-Between
  • Released: January 24, 2020[42]
  • Label: Mindpeacelove, Tuff Gong
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Extended plays
List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Details
The Lover/Fighter Document EP
  • Released: March 17, 2009[43]
  • Label: Mindpeacelove
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Singles
As lead artist
Title Year Album
"Heaven Help Dem"[44]
(featuring Kendrick Lamar) 		2015 The Lover/Fighter Document LP
"Viva Fidel!"[45] 2016 Phantom Pain
"Where We Go from Here"[46]
"Searching"[47] Non-album singles
"Limit"[48]
(featuring Ezra Lewis)
"Do You Feel Me?"[49]
(featuring Tristan D. Lalla and Tek Luciano) 		2017
"Wilderness"[50] 2018
"Savanna"[51] 2019 Spaces-in-Between
"Moses"[52]
"Canopy (Remix)"[A][53]
(featuring Etana) 		2020
"Solidarité"[B][54]
As featured artist
Title Year Album
"Ramadan (Appropriated Remix)"[55]
(Cee featuring Jonathan Emile, Notion and Natasha Marie) 		2017 Non-album singles
"Bold & Bright"[56]
(Kellyssa featuring Ezra Lewis and Jonathan Emile) 		2018
Guest appearances
List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Never Looking Back"[57] 2013 joBlow, Shae Nicole Poor People Music
"This Is All I Know"[58] 2014 Cee This Is All I Know
"After Dark"[59] Gabriel Teodros, SoulChef Evidence of Things Not Seen
"What It Is"[60] 2016 Skinny Bros, KRS-One, James Di Salvio Party Gras
"Real Talk"[61] 2017 Notion, I L Lvibe Heart on My Sleeve
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
Film
2011 Look Again Prospective buyer Television film
2013 The Horse Latitudes Male nurse Short film
2016 Serialized Officer Bradford Television film
2018 On the Basis of Sex Courier Feature film
Television
2012 Being Human 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 Jack Ryan Members Only Episode: "The Boy"
2019 Deadly Secrets Lonnie Episode: "A Killer Hand"
References
Notes
  1. ^ Only the original (solo) version appears on Spaces-in-Between.
  2. ^ Appears on Spaces-in-Between in English as "Keep on Fighting".
Citations
  1. ^ "Quebec Court Awards Damages to Canadian Artist for Wrongful Copyright Takedown Notice by Record Companies". Fasken. November 29, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Reggae Singer Jonathan Emile Releases New Album "Spaces-In-Between" | WATCH VIDEO for Single "Try A Likkle More"!". TheUrbanMusicScene.com. January 27, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Sincennes, Carl (February 10, 2020). "Un LaSallois sous l'étiquette de Bob Marley". Métro (in French). Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Grant, Andre (October 19, 2015). "Jonathan Emile Survived Cancer & Kendrick Lamar, But Can He Get Us To Listen To "The Lover/Fighter Document?"". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  5. ^ "Jon Whyte Potter-Mal 2003 and the message of MPL". Selwyn House School. April 11, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  6. ^ "Jonathan Emile 2003 brings message of hope and justice to Selwyn House". Selwyn House School. February 26, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  7. ^ "2019 IBSC Annual Conference – Jonathan Emile: His Story. His Voice". International Boys' Schools Coalition. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  8. ^ Weng, Lucy (January 18, 2015). "MindPeaceLove With Jonathan Emile". DTK Men. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  9. ^ Earshot: National Campus and Community Radio Report Chart Appearances (Canada), June 30, 2009
  10. ^ Donnelly, Pat (October 3, 2013). "Review: Ain't Misbehavin': From music to dance moves, this one's a winner". The Gazette.
  11. ^ LeMay, Daniel (October 4, 2013). "Ain't Misbehavin' : pas de révolution, que du plaisir!: From music to dance moves, this one's a winner". The Presse.
  12. ^ Pearson, Meghan (October 17, 2013). "Ain't Misbehavin' Brings Down the House at the Segal Centre". BroadwayWorld.com.
  13. ^ Emile, Jonathan (October 9, 2015). "Jonathan Emile – Music". iTunes Store.
  14. ^ Macdonald, Darcy. "Jonathan Emile drops a record today". CULT MTL. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  15. ^ Erik Leijon (February 6, 2015). "Jonathan Emile's bittersweet song of peace". The Gazette.
  16. ^ Slava Pastuk. "Why Can't You Listen to That New Kendrick Lamar Verse on Jonathan Emile's "Heaven Help Dem"? (interview)". Vice.
  17. ^ Emmanuel C.M. (January 13, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar And Jonathan Emile 'Heaven Help Dem'". XXL.
  18. ^ Thiessen, Brock (December 21, 2016). "Jonathan Emile Details His 'Phantom Pain'". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  19. ^ "Jonathan Emile Signs To Tuff Gong International". Jonathan Emile / Facebook. October 26, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  20. ^ Morrison, Devin (October 24, 2019). "First Listen: Jonathan Emile – "Savanna"". Rootfire. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  21. ^ "Jonathan Emile takes aim". Jamaica Observer. October 28, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  22. ^ "Jonathan Emile Releases 'Savanna' Video". The Urban Influencer. November 11, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  23. ^ Serwer, Jesse (December 6, 2019). "LargeUp Premiere: Watch Jonathan Emile's Moving, Poignant "Moses" Video". LargeUp. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  24. ^ "Jonathan Emile - Try a Likkle More [1/23/2020]". Reggaeville. January 23, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  25. ^ "LargeUp Premiere: Stream Jonathan Emile's 'Spaces-in-Between' LP". LargeUp. January 23, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  26. ^ "Jonathan Emile Delivers Love-Soaked "Canopy (Remix)" feat. Etana". The Urban Influencer. February 25, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  27. ^ Lynne, Jenni (April 24, 2020). "WORLD VIDEO PREMIERE: Jonathan Emile "Keep On Fighting"". Top Shelf Music. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  28. ^ Labri-Aissa, Sonia (September 1, 2015). "Lover, fighter, and artist on the rise". McGill Daily.
  29. ^ Fleischer, Adam (January 14, 2015). "Kendrick Lamar addresses the murders of black youths on "Heaven Help Dem"". MTV. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  30. ^ a b Pastuk, Slava (January 23, 2015). "Why Can't You Listen to that New Kendrick Lamar Verse on Jonathan Emile's "Heaven Help Dem"?". Vice. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  31. ^ Coleman II, Vernon (November 24, 2016). "Top Dawg Entertainment Loses Lawsuit to Canadian Rapper". XXL. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  32. ^ "Jonathan Emile vs. record label". CTV News. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  33. ^ Baron, Séverine (November 24, 2016). "Jonathan Emile Wins Court Case Against Kendrick Lamar". iHeartRadio Canada. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  34. ^ Bliss, Karen (November 22, 2016). "Canadian Rapper Wins Suit Against Kendrick Lamar's Label Top Dawg Entertainment, Just to Prove a Point". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  35. ^ Slingerland, Calum (March 14, 2017). "Jonathan Emile Pens Open Letter to Kendrick Lamar Following Further Legal Threats over TDE Lawsuit". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  36. ^ Kersey, Molly. "Bexley School Celebrates Black History Month". Bexley Times. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  37. ^ Okeke, Shari (December 17, 2014). "Union United Church Seeks $600K in Funding for Urgent Repairs". CBC News.
  38. ^ Ambroziak, Alycia (February 17, 2015). "Black History Month in Full Gear in The West Island". Montreal West Island Chronicle.
  39. ^ CTV Global News: Jonathan Emile on Black History Month (25 February 2015)
  40. ^ "The Lover / Fighter Document LP by Jonathan Emile". October 9, 2015. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  41. ^ Thiessen, Brock (December 27, 2016). "Jonathan Emile 'Phantom Pain' (album stream)". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  42. ^ "Spaces-in-Between by Jonathan Emile". January 24, 2020. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  43. ^ "The Lover/Fighter Document by Jonathan Emile". March 17, 2009. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  44. ^ "Heaven Help Dem (feat. Kendrick Lamar) - Single by Jonathan Emile". January 19, 2015. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  45. ^ "Viva Fidel - Single by Jonathan Emile". March 21, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  46. ^ "Where We Go From Here by Jonathan Emile". May 9, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Spotify.
  47. ^ "Searching - Single by Jonathan Emile". June 22, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  48. ^ "Limit (feat. Ezra Lewis) - Single by Jonathan Emile". November 25, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  49. ^ "Do You Feel Me? (feat. Tristan D. Lalla & Tek Luciano) - Single by Jonathan Emile". July 10, 2017. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  50. ^ "Wilderness - Single by Jonathan Emile". September 14, 2018. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  51. ^ "Savanna - Single by Jonathan Emile". October 25, 2019. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  52. ^ "Moses - Single by Jonathan Emile". December 5, 2019. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  53. ^ "Canopy (Remix) [feat. Etana] - Single by Jonathan Emile". February 14, 2020. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  54. ^ "Solidarité - Single by Jonathan Emile". March 20, 2020. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  55. ^ "‎Ramadan (Appropriated Remix) [feat. Jonathan Emile, Notion & Natasha Marie] - Single by Cee". March 24, 2017. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  56. ^ "Bold & Bright (feat. Ezra Lewis & Jonathan Emile) - Single by Kellyssa". October 4, 2018. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  57. ^ "Poor People Music | joBlow". August 18, 2013. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Bandcamp.
  58. ^ "This Is All I Know by Cee". April 10, 2014. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  59. ^ "Evidence of Things Not Seen by SoulChef & Gabriel Teodros". October 28, 2014. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  60. ^ "Party Gras by Skinny Bros". February 16, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  61. ^ "Heart On My Sleeve by Notion". April 28, 2017. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020 – via Apple Music.
External links


Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:Black Canadian musicians Category:Canadian people of Jamaican descent Category:Jamaican rappers Category:Canadian male rappers Category:21st-century Canadian rappers Category:Musicians from Montreal Category:Cancer survivors

@John B123: pinging as a recent autoreviewer to edit the article. Davykamanzi → talk • contribs • alter ego 08:17, 5 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Requested edits added. --John B123 (talk) 10:21, 5 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

@John B123: Thank you very much. Davykamanzi → talk • contribs • alter ego 10:22, 5 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]
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