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Biography Garnet
Challenger
Singer,
Songwriter with a compassion for Life!
At
a very early age Garnet was told by an Elder lady in Dominica that
he was picked to do a job and that it would be planted in his
heart. He did not understand what the elder was telling him but
all she said again was “Remember that I told you, it would be
planted in your heart to go out there an make a difference”.
While on the road playing music, he picked up a Bob Marley album
and realized after listening to the music what the elder had told
him and now he knew what he had to do.
Through the years, Garnet Challenger continues to work diligently
by writing, recording and performing songs to inspire and bring
all peoples’ together. He has identified with his calling and
life’s purpose to be a musical ambassador of the world. His
healing messages promoting world peace and togetherness are
testament to the fact. Challenger literary pours his heart into
his music and becomes one with his art. “My music uplifts me
with the spirit of the Almighty,” he says with conviction. It is
this assurance that makes way for a smooth delivery coupled with a
powerful message.
“Music is powerfully inspirational. It can inspire people to be
better and do better,” exclaims Challenger. Alluding to his
commitment to continually spread love and peace to the mass
audiences around the world. Through the vibrant pulse of reggae
music, Garnet calls forth the spirit of God and his ancestors as
well as relies on the legacy of the late great Robert Nesta Marley
and Elder William Commanda as the source of his inspiration.
Garnet has performed over the years with and along side with
musicians/groups such as: Leroy Sibles, Ken Booth, Truth and
Rights, Toots & The Maytals, Culture, Andrew Tosh, The Mighty
Sparrow, Burning Flames, Sam and the Caribbean Express, Cowboy
Junkies, Rafi, Blue Rodeo, as well as performed live background
vocals with rock band Foreigner on “I wanna know what love
is”, just to name a few.
Garnet Challenger has performed from east to west at many special
events, television shows, festivals and famous clubs such as:
Canada Day along side Tony D,
Harbourfront
Ship Deck- (Toronto) along with Soul Vibes, Bamboo, Tulip
Festival, Spring Festival, Killaloe Summer Fair, Dominica,
Victoria, Ottawa Remembers Bob Marley, Culture Canada – Major
Hills, Museum of Civilization, National Arts Centre, Backstage,
Barrymore’s, Ottawa Civic Centre, Astrolab, Jerry Lewis
Telethon, Heart Telethon, Operation Go Home, Global Music at noon,
The NEWRO, CJOH-TV, CBC, CNN, Labour Day Weekend in New York, UN
World Aids Day, UN Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day, Black
History Month this just too name a few.
Garnet’s
work with special organizations comes about by his amazing writing
talent to put out such songs as World Emergency dealing with the
plaque of HIV/Aids and he linked with Ottawa Aids Organizations
such as Bruce
House, Sierra
Club of Canada and the Ottawa Chapter dealing with the People
the Planet our Future and International Earth Day.
When he met “Grandfather” Elder William Commanda in 1999, at
Elder Commanda’s Annual August Spiritual Retreat in Maniwaki,
Quebec, Garnet realized that he needed to work closely with
Grandfather because they were both on the same mission to bring
all the peoples, races, and nations together in peace and harmony.
In May 2000 Elder William Commanda held the inaugural event for
“A
Circle of all Nations a Culture of Peace”. Garnet performed
at the closing ceremony it was amazing. He was also joined on
stage by Native singer Wayquay! Challenger continues to work with
Grandfather by carrying “Grandfather” Elder William
Commanda’s vision of peace, harmony, justice, respect and
understanding through his music as his latest release is entitled
“One Race, Many Colors”. Challenger is also featured in the
William Commanda documentary filmed in 2001 and release in 2002.
His music is being played from: Africa, Australia, Bermuda,
Canada, All through the Caribbean, USA, UK, Portugal, and has made
the play list and charting in the top 15. The feedback is coming
from everywhere parents thanking him for such beautiful messages,
to Ambassadors, Prime Ministers, and little ones to the elders,
Special organizations looking after the human race to Ministers to
the Spiritual Elders thank you Garnet.
Challenger’s
documentary and his release of the video One Race, Many Colours
debuted on the show Planet Africa (Omni 2 TV Toronto and
Vancouver) May 2003, The NEWRO debuted the video World Emergency
on December 1, 2003 UN World Aids Day and One Race, Many Colours
made its debut on Channel M in Vancouver – the show www.worldbeatcanada.com
December 2003, and now in Houston, Texas and on www.Reggae24.com.
Releases
to date:
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Ital-k
– Single 2004
Released
January 21, 2004
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The
song hit the airwaves on WLRN 91.3Fm Miami, Fl and WNYC
89.1fm and WRTN 93.5fm New York and is one of the most
requested songs with overwhelming response.
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One
Race, Many Colours – CD
2002
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November
29, 2003 “Ottawa’s Caribbean Music Awards – Challenger
walked away with “Best Recording Artist –2003” for the
album “One Race, Many Colours”
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World
Emergency – CD
Single 2001
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“Help
the people to live on”! Anthem for people dealing with
HIV/Aids
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Ottawa’s
Best – Charity CD
– 2001
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“To
aid the Shepard’s of Good Hope – Ottawa”
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Harvest
Time – CD – 2000
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Continues
to sit in the top fifteen on the charts featuring songs as
War, Things Must turn around, Final Trumpet
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Whoa
to the Taxman – CD
Single 2000
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Smash
hit dealing with taxes on the people
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Stone
– Pave Reggae – CD
1997
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Featuring
the song “African Unity” (which was inspired by His
Excellency - (“High Commissioner from Cameroon to
Canada”) Challenger was a judge for the JUNOS 1998
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You
& I Reggae Compilation – CD
1998
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Featuring
Garnet Silk, Garnet Challenger and many more international
artists
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The
Lion’s Awake – CD
1994
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Featuring
the song “Vincent and The Lion’s Awake.
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It’s
a Revelation - CD 1991
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“Nominated
at the Canadian Reggae Music Awards for Best Reggae
Recording and Best Reggae Band.
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Second
Coming – 45EP 1990
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The
state of world issues.
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Reaching
Out With Love – Album
1987
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Challenger
steps out and shows his true self, to make this world a
better place with Love with his message of love and peace
with music.
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