'Imisi

'Imisi

Group

About 'Imisi

Artist Name: 'Imisi Birth Name: Tevita Ka & Siupeli Koula Fohe Birth Place and Date: Born on Tongtapu Island. Tevita: 10/17/1977. Siupeli: 7/8/1979 Official Bio Imagine venturing on a flight to the South Pacific via Air Jamaica with a Bible and some soothing reggae to pass your time--now you're in the mood for 'Imisi, a group that will take you to the next plateau in gospel reggae. 'Imisi is headed by brothers David (Tevita Kouso Kousa) Fohe on keyboards, guitar and lead vocals and Jubilee (Siupeli Koula) Fohe on drums, keyboards and lead/deejay vocals. The two began singing together at a young age in a Tongan church where their father was the pastor. In their teens they lead their youth group's worship team and went by the name "Youth Exodus". As they began performing more and more at other churches/events, the then five-member group quickly evolved into far more than just a youth worship team. In 1999, they released their first recording Youth Exodus, "Live" through Eclectica Music, an imprint of N-Soul Records. In 2003, the three core members, David, Jubilee and Joel signed a deal with a new record label, Lion of Zion Entertainment, helmed by their good friend and longtime mentor, Mark Mohr. Since they were no longer youths, they dropped their old moniker and decided to call themselves 'Imisi. In their homeland of Tonga (an island near Samoa and Fiji), 'Imisi (pronounced ee-mee-see), means "Image," for man was created in the "image of God" (Gen 1:27). For their debut Lion of Zion release, 'Imisi enlisted production assistance from two of their musical icons, Quino of Big Mountain and Mark Mohr of Christafari. On "Visions of the Father," the group's sound continued to develop as David's sweet textured voice eloquently contrasted Jubilee's smooth nasal tone and clever singjay stylings. Following its release, these two siblings were compared to everyone from Luciano to Gregory Isaacs, and even labeled "The Reggae Katinas." The album sported clean-production, sweet lovers rock reggae, solid vocals and testified to the group's uncompromising faith. Two years later and one member lighter, (former manager/background vocalist Joel Roberts is no longer in the band for personal reasons), 'Imisi joined Christafari in the studio for the recording of "Reggae Sunday School." They performed on "Higher Higher", "Jonah" and "Jesus Loves The Little Children". David also lent his sweet baritone voice for Calypso the Coconut, one of the lead characters featured in the album's skits/interludes. In 2006, after over four months of recording, 'Imisi returns with their most ambitious studio recording to date. Paying homage to the roots of Jamaican music, 'Imisi advances the genre with their landmark album "Forward". Brothers David and Jubilee continue to carry the torch and have grown tremendously as songwriters since their previous release. This critically acclaimed album is sure to satisfy any listener with its vibrant vocals, sophisticated songs and inventive arrangements. This time around award-winning producer Mark Mohr set out to replace the synthetic with the authentic. The entire album boasts live instruments; drums, bass, keys, guitar, percussion and a blistering horn section--creating a full-bodied sound reminiscent of Bob Marley. Backed by an all-star cast of reggae musicians, 'Imisi's sweet textured voices and distinct dancehall style command the listener's attention from the first note to the last. On Forward, 'Imisi convincingly melds Jamaican lovers' rock reggae with dancehall, seasoned with their own unique Polynesian flavor. This blend creates an international sound which is contemporary yet timeless. While Forward is primarily an English language recording, 'Imisi peppers in Jamaican patois, Tongan (their native dialect), Spanish and Portuguese. These Pacific Islanders from the United Kingdom of Tonga are in great contrast with the message of today's secular reggae acts. Packed with powerful spirit-engaging tracks, Forward is an evangelical musical ministry tool like no other with lyrics that are bold statements of faith, comfort and hope. This is reggae for your soul. Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com GospelReggae.com: What is the most valuable lesson that you learned from your Mom or Dad growing up that you still apply today? David: THE MOST VALUABLE LESSON THAT THEY HAVE TOLD ME IS THAT ONLY WHAT I DO FOR GOD IS WHAT WILL LAST AND THAT'S WHAT IS STILL ENCOURAGING US TODAY. GospelReggae.com: If you could share the stage with any Christian or secular artist in the world (living or dead) who would it be? David: I THINK WE WOULD LOVE TO SHARE THE STAGE WITH BOB MARLEY-BUT THAT IS JUST NOT POSSIBLE. GospelReggae.com: I know that you have written a whole heap of songs in the past, but what's your favorite one? Now, If that is too hard for you to answer, then tell me this; if you spent 5 minutes with an avid reggae fan and only had enough time to play them one of your songs, which one would you play them? David: I WOULD PLAY THEM "BEST FRIEND", OFF OUR "VISIONS OF THE FATHER" ALBUM, IT HAS GOT A NICE MESSAGE AND BEAT TO IT. GospelReggae.com: What were the last 5 CDs that you put in your disc changer? THE LAST 5 I PUT WERE SOME LUCIANO, BERES HAMMOND, KATALYS CREW, AVION BLACKMAN, & GREGORY ISAACS GospelReggae.com: Read any good books lately? David: YES CURRENTLY READING "NOW, DISCOVERING YOUR STRENGTHS" BY MARCUS BUCKINGHAM & DONALD CLIFTON GospelReggae.com: What's your favorite verse in the Bible and why? FAVORITE VERSE IN THE BIBLE IS PSALMS 150. IT REMINDS US THAT IFF WE HAVE BREATH, WHICH WE DO EVERYDAY, THEN WE OUGHT TO GIVE PRAISE TO THE CREATOR REGARDLESS OF OUR SITUATIONS IN LIFE. WE TRY OUR BEST TO MAKE THAT REAL IN OUR LIVES. GospelReggae.com: What Bible character do you most identify with? David: I BELIEVE WE IDENTIFY WITH PAUL THE APOSTLE, PREACHING THE GOSPEL EVERYWHERE WE GO IN RUFF SITUATIONS WITH MUSIC THAT IS RARE, BUT ON THE RISE. GospelReggae.com: What is your philosophy of stage ministry? Is there any one message that you always want to leave with your audience? David: OUR FAVORITE MESSAGE THAT WE LIKE TO LEAVE IS HOPE AND SALVATION. WE LEAN MORE TOWARDS SALVATION TO A NON-CHRITIAN AUDIENCE AND HOPE TO A CHRISTIAN AUDIENCE. GospelReggae.com: What is the best audience that you have ever played in front of? David: OUR FAVORITE AUDIENCE WAS REGGAE ON THE RIVER 2002, THOSE PEOPLE CAME OUT JUST CAUSE IT WAS REGGAE MUSIC TO DANCE AND LISTEN TO GOSPEL MESSAGE THRU OUR MUSIC. GospelReggae.com: Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road?? David: WE PREFER BEING IN THE STUDIO. ITS HARDER MENTAL WORK, BUT ITS SO COOL CAUSE YOURE HOME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY GospelReggae.com: Why do you do music? What is your primary goal? David: MUSIC IS HOW WE EXPRESS HOW WE FEEL AND SHARE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE. IT FEELS SO MUCH BETTER THOUGH WHEN YOU HAVE A PURPOSE SUCH AS THE GOSPEL TO GIVE YOU THAT PUSH. GospelReggae.com: Are you working on any future projects/releases that we should look out for? David: YES, WE ARE RECORDING HERE IN OUR OWN STUDIO WITH PROJECTS SUCH OLIVIA PALE, LIVINGSTONE AND OTHERS. WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON OUR NEW IMISI THAT WILL BE OUT IN 2006. GospelReggae.com: Could you please give a message to the reggae fans that are reading this and would like to know more about your faith and who Jesus is to you? David: JESUS IS THE WHOLE REASON WHY WE ARE STILL DOING THIS. REGGAE MUSIC IS WHAT WE LOVE AND THE GOSPEL MESSAGE IS ITS BEST ELEMENT FOR US TO KEEP US GOING. HE IS OUR SAVIOR, HEALER, REDEEMER, AND SOON COMING KING Ministry Statement: As believers in Christ from the Christian island of Tonga, we stride forward daily in an effort to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ. Since reggae is the heartbeat of our nation and has proven to be an effective tool in uniting first and third world nations, we have set out to use this burgeoning genre to Keep on Preaching and fulfill the great commission. In addition to evangelism, we strongly desire to build up, edify, and encourage Christians in their daily walk with God.

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