My name is Mark "Baliva" Johnes. I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1983. Growing up in Harare, I was exposed to the music industry from an early age. I learned a lot from my father who worked for the national radio station. I would follow him to private functions wanting to learn all I could. I spent hours going through his collections recording songs onto cassette tape and learning lyrics then rapping them with my friends at school. I started recording with my school friends back in 1998. After moving to London in 2001 to study media, I spent my spare time in community studio projects recording songs and performing at open mic events around the city.
After attending a youth bible study in Summer 2003, I began to follow Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I felt a call to use my musical gifts to spread the gospel but for almost two years I lived a double life, I was half in the church and half in the world. Music was my idol and I often put music before my relationship with God as I compromised in order to achieve worldly success. I quickly learned that what the world defined as success was in complete opposition to what the bible taught so I gave up on all my solo pursuits in summer 2005 and decided to use my money, my talents and my time to show the world that God is real and alive.
Since then I have had the opportunity to travel around the UK performing with other Christian Mc's on street corners and church events. A group of us put together a gospel mix tape in 2006 and I then released my first EP called "The Resurrection" in 2007. In Summer 2008 I released a 10 track EP called "Sunrise" and took to the streets of London performing and giving out copies to people who were touched by the music.
I am grateful to God for giving me this privilege and opportunity to spread the Word through beats and rhymes and I hope to continue using all I have to reach the lost. My official website is Pause and Think.org the website is designed to help you deeply understand Christianity. I realise that a CD or live performance is not enough to explain and teach the core essence of the faith. So the aim is to press Pause after the music and begin to Think deeply about how the Gospel relates to us on a personal level.
You can download or listen to my latest music releases, learn more about Christianity in Laymen’s terms , keep up to date with my personal blog on life, learn how to serve effectively in Christian ministry and get questions and evidence for the existence of God and reliability of the Bible. Visit Pause & think
Yeah everythings good wit da music, got a gig tomorrow (wednesday) at Camden Rock, check out my oage for details u shud come thru. Hows tings wit u anyway?
All are welcome to Come down share our celebration of 2 years at Blessed Souls on Oct 23rd at Enjoy the Caribbean food from the Blend Bar, with Open Mic with vibes from the MAC Band and feature Artist @ 111 Wandsworth High Street, SW18 4HY blessedsoulsuk@yahoo.com 07825604339 www.myspace.com/blessedsoulsuk Join Facebook Group 'BLESSED SOULS UK'
Appreciate the add bruh! I been doin Christ centered muzik for 5 years now. just 2 years ago, I pretty much went beyond my Church. I mean we always did street ministry, but never no shows or nothing or recording, u know, so i just been puttin stuff on wax bout 2 years now! How's everything in the UK? Is Gospel rap accepted among most Churches or still mostly hated on? God bless, grace & peace in Christ Jesus,1!
"UK SOUL JAM" @ JAZZ CAFE ** Featuring INDIGO BROWN & Many More All Live Established & New UKSoul Talent** on SUNDAY 6th SEPTEMBER 2009
'UK SOUL JAM' : a celebration of UK SOUL in an Open Mic, Showcase & DJ Session featuring the best of London's Soul talent every month at The Jazz Cafe, London
Venue Address: JAZZ CAFE, 5 Parkway, Camden Town, London, NW1
PURCHASE YOUR TICKET ONLINE FROM TICKETMASTER AT:http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk (search "UK SOUL JAM" "UKSOULJAM" "Jazz Cafe" "September 6th") ORDER ON PHONE from TICKETMASTER on: Tel: 0870 4000 700 Alternative Online Ticket Agents: http://www.seetickets.com
BOX OFFICE, IN PERSON & CASH PAYMENTS: To order in person or for Cash payment at JAZZCAFE( frontdoor) box office 5 Parkway Camden, NW1 (Mon - Sat 10am-5pm). Table Seats On Balcony: £13 - Call Jazzcafe Restaurant Line For Tables On: 020 7688 8899 (Lines Open 10.30am-5.30pm Mon-Sat)
Music Style:: SOUL, NEO SOUL, UK SOUL, GOSPEL, URBAN, RAREGROOVE, NU JAZZ, R&B, BROKENBEAT, HIP HOP, REGGAE, DANCEHALL, OPEN MIC JAM & LIVE MUSIC + Open Mic & Jam Session (Open To The Public Later In The Show) + More TBA & Surprise Guests On The Night. Further web info:http://www.myspace.com/keepthefaithclubnight For all show enquiries & if you would like to perform please email: keepthefaithful@gmail.com _________________________________
UKSOULJAM 2009 DATES SUN SEPT 6th SUN OCT 4th SUN DEC 6th
Cheers for the add man, you listened to the music yet? I've got a gig tonight (Thursday) in Kings Cross you should come down. Check out my upcoming events for more details.
BALIVA!!! How you doing bro? Hope your well. Its been a long time. Just leting you know that I aint forgotten you and most importantly neither has GOD.
Now I've got your attention, I wanna ask you for real-do you think you or anyone you know could fit somewhere within the Playvybz. com radio fam?
We've been combing schools, youth organisations, Universities, Job Centres and even park benches (well, not in this weather to be honest) for people who are just as aspirational, charming and fabulous as us; who wanna get some work experience at Playvybz radio.
There are opportunities to learn about DJ-ing, Radio Presenting and Production, E-Marketing, Advertising and Sponsorship Procurement, Recruitment, Studio Administration, Artist Liasion, Editing and sooo much more as you can probably imagine.
If you or anybody that springs to mind wants to find out more, holla at me here or email me at; andrea@playvybz.com
Thanks :)
Andrea AKA DJ De'Luscious Owner/CEO Playvybz. com Radio and Academy
Runner-Up Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 at the Precious Online Awards
Make Your Mark Ambassador-check me out at www. makeyourmark. org. uk under 'Inspiring Stories'
