RUFUS JOHN A CATALYST FOR CHANGE,
Rufus John has always been fascinated by the story behind the creative process, be it songwriting or promoting music.
“Growing up we were Seventh Day Adventists,” says the Kitchener-based Caribbean/Canadian singer-songwriter. “We would go to church on Saturdays from the moment the sun was up until the moment the sun was down,” says John, who went to Perch Avenue Church in Etobicoke, which was known for gospel music.
His mum’s cousin was in the choir, and John sat in awe every Saturday.
“I thought, I want to do that. I don’t think I can but I want to,” says John with a laugh.
He began to sing at the age of six. “We lived up the street from the church so one day after the church service my mum’s cousin came to the house. We listened to gospel music growing up. I knew the gospel tapes and at the time I did not know I could sing. I just knew that I could follow along with what they were singing. I just was doing what I did every Saturday. I would just throw in a tape that I liked and sang along. Then my mum’s cousin said, ‘Rufus can sing!’
“I remember this distinctively,” he says. “I was in the living room and Mum’s cousin was in the dining room. I don’t know if she knew that I heard what she said but that moment I thought, you’re the choir I want to be in. She said I can sing! Maybe I have something here. From that day on I thought I am going to keep trying at this.”
Things were not always easy for John as a child. His mother raised three kids alone. But he was surrounded by music and whatever challenge came along “there was always love among the struggle.”
John moved to the region when he was 10 years old. He had plenty to write about in his young life and started songwriting when he was 14.
John became the frontman for cover band The Motor Booty Affair — his introduction to funk and soul. “I knew Al Green as a gospel singer,” notes John. “I did not know him as a secular singer.”
That experience helped him with stage presence, learning to how to lead a band, and direct background vocalists.
In 2002, John decided to go solo. His 2006 debut EP “The Reason” featured a song of the same name dedicated to all single mothers, including his own and the single, “Sex on The Beach,” received prominent radio airplay.
In 2014 John released his full-length album debut “Growing Pains” based on his experiences growing up. The singles included, “Hold On Me,” (with noted Canadian hip hop artist and collaborator Son Real) and “Confessions,” which hit No. 11 the independent soul charts in the U.K.
John says his upcoming sophomore release “Gone But Not Forgotten” is an evolution from “Growing Pains.” The album includes singles “Things That I Said,” “Don’t Push Me” and “Better by You” dedicated to daughter Joelle.
The album addresses forgiveness, mourning, celebration and acceptance created through an R&B, soul, hip-hop, and gospel music motif. It is mixed and mastered by Guelph’s Attila Toth (Joni NehRita). Toth is also producing a few tracks. Other producers include Ian Smith (The Miniatures) who also cowrote a song, Toronto producers/musicians drummer Da-Rell Clifton, keys player Jerome Anderson, and Nate Dawes of Cambridge. Contributing artists include Phoenix Pagliacci (of Toronto hip-hop collective The Sorority, Truss), Kitchener rap artists Tariq Musica, Soul and Justin Hamilton, King the Prophet, plus Toronto’s D.O. Gibson (DJ Maestro Fresh-Wes).
The “Soulful and Intimate” tour features John plus special guests, The Woolwich Project at Death Valley’s Little Brother, and folksinger Luke Michielsen at E-Bolt music. Other guests on the tour include Kingston singer Shyla and Ottawa
neo-soul/jazz group No Fancy Parts.
John is also going to be debuting a docuseries, “Gone But Not Forgotten,” — a fly-on-the wall lens into his creative process from working with producers in the studio to spending time with his daughter at home.
Family time is very important to John. It’s the reason he became a child and youth worker.
John’s childhood home was the neighbourhood “hub” where kids would hang out. Their parents knowing they were always in a safe environment.
“Mum was there and everyone came over. It was cool to live and experience that,” says John. “I wanted to continue giving that, and just be available to help and be of service. I wanted to work with children and youth,” he adds.
John uses his music as a medium, bridging the gap between youth and elders. His music serves as the catalyst for change, the voice of reason and positivity.
In 2016, he won the Mentor Award at the Waterloo Region Arts Awards.
John created “Music is My Weapon” working with musician Eric Bolton of E-Bolt Music, and producer Attila Toth. It is a free mentorship program and guide to all aspects of the music industry in conjunction with Idea Exchange, Clemens Mill in Cambridge
“I had nobody to help guide me. I made my poor choices and I had certain people in my life that I met. Without them being who are they are when they met me in my life, I would not have come out of the some of the darkest parts of my life,” he admits. “I am going to try and be that for everybody.”