Jamaican reggae artiste Hezron Clarkes plans homecoming tour after tracing ancestry to Ghana
Jamaican singer/songwriter Hezron Clarke plans a homecoming tour to Ghana soon.
This follows the tracing of his ancestry to Ashanti.
This was confirmed by management under LynneX Ventures LLC in collaboration with 3G Media Group represented in Africa by Goodies Music International.
The Jamaican artiste has already received rave reviews for his new album, Man on a Mission (M.O.A.M.), Hezron’s second album for Tad’s Record, following 2014’s The Life I Live(d).
Released in August 2022, M.O.A.M. topped reggae charts in Jamaica, New York and South Florida, yielded two number-one singles, ‘Tik Tok I’m Coming’ and ‘Save The Children’ and earned critical acclaim from media around the world.
The momentum surrounding M.O.A.M. continues just as strongly in 2023. On January 5,
Grammy.com posted Hezron’s acoustic performance of the album’s title track, ‘Man On A Mission’, recorded in Kingston, Jamaica, exclusively for the Grammy’s Press Play At Home series.
The nearly five-minute video clip presents a stripped-down version of ‘Man on a Mission’, highlighting Hezron’s heartfelt, captivating vocals, and the song’s deeply inspirational lyrics that provide reassuring words for anyone in pursuit of their passions but also stand as a testament to Hezron’s unwavering resolve in pursuit of musical excellence.
He also plays rhythm guitar in the clip and he’s supported by Kenroy Mullings on lead guitar, Jerome (Spicy) Battick on keyboards with Jasino Bicknell and Katryna Chaplin providing harmonies. In the accompanying write-up on Grammy.com, Carena Liptek cites, “Man on a Mission” as “a message of encouragement for anybody with a dream to chase — because that’s exactly how Clarke got to where he is today.”
Hezron wrote, arranged and produced ‘Man On A Mission’ with additional production by Leroy Romans.
“The song is about what everyday people go through, nurses, doctors, teachers, so-called ‘ordinary people’ who’ve put their minds and wills together to do extraordinary things,” explains Hezron.
“But ‘Man on a Mission’ is also about the obstacles that I have faced in the music business and in my personal life. I am telling myself, telling the world, that this man is on a mission and there’s no stopping him.”
The primary objective of M.O.A.M. Man On A Mission is to restore Jamaican reggae music to a prominent place internationally, therefore, Hezron is extremely grateful to have performed the album’s title track as part of the Grammy’s Press Play At Home series.
“There is an old saying: if you aim for the sky, you may fall on top of a building but if you aim for the top of the building, you might fall on the ground,” Hezron shares.
“My approach to the M.O.A.M. album was to utilize musical and lyrical qualities that I hear as the standard for Grammy consideration, aiming for the sky, hoping to get a Grammy nomination. Although I didn’t receive one, I am so humbled to have been asked to record a performance that is posted on Grammy.com, to receive that recognition. It shows me that vision, hard work and perseverance really do pay off.”
In November 2022, Hezron sat for an extensive interview with veteran broadcaster, Elise Kelly on The Bridge 99 FM. ‘The Queen of Jamaican radio’, as Kelly is called, lauded M.O.A.M. Man on a Mission, singling out Hezron’s exceptional song writing skills.
“The brilliance of your writing blows me over every time, I have been saying that for years,” Ms. Kelly declared.
“I am especially fond of the writing in the country and western genre and your writing compares to the very best of those artistes, really, the very best of any international act.”
Other rave reviews for M.O.A.M. included Germany’s Riddim Magazine which remarked: “With the release of his third album M.O.A.M. Man on a Mission, Hezron is poised to significantly broaden his fan base and finally get the widespread recognition his talents merit.”
Reggae Belgium hailed M.O.A.M. as “bringing back great Jamaican music, a reminder of where reggae is supposed to be in the world!” while New York City’s Soundchat Radio enthused, “M.O.A.M offers superb singing, inspirational songwriting, timely production, and impeccable musicianship.”
Upcoming Performances
The promotional push for M.O.A.M. will extend throughout 2023 as Hezron plans to perform in the United States and Europe later this year. Before that, he will headline three shows across Jamaica in February, designated as Reggae Month.
On February 12, Hezron will be the marquee act at WAVS Beach One Love Jerk Festival in the tourist mecca, Negril, located on the island’s western tip; on February 14, Hezron and Friends will take over the Bamboo Joint Lounge in Ocho Rios and on February 8, Hezron will perform for Reggae Wednesdays at Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay.
The Negril and MoBay dates are official Reggae Month events, endorsed by Jamaica’s Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports.
Hezron opined that “for reasons beyond my control, I haven’t had the opportunity to perform live since my album was released, except at my album release party in August,” says Hezron.
“I am looking forward to seeing my fans in Jamaica in February and the audiences in the U.S. and Europe later in the year and performing the songs from M.O.A.M. Man on a Mission for them.”
The album is available for sale on Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, and all digital platforms worldwide.