In this exclusive interview for The Karibbean Kollective, we sit down with Jonathan Francis, an Afro-Caribbean Alternative artist from Grenada. His deep love for food, travel, and the arts shines through his vibrant personality, shaped by his childhood in Willis and Carriacou. Initially reluctant to sing, it was songwriting that helped him forge a meaningful connection with music. From performing on Sabrina Francis’ European tour to having his song featured on BBC 1Xtra, Jonathan shares his journey, his influences, and his passion for creativity and storytelling.

Tell us about yourself, where you are from and your journey as a musician. How did you discover your love for singing and songwriting?

I would say Jonathan Francis is an Afro Caribbean Alternative artist. I am a lover of life, food, songwriting, travelling, theatre/ acting and the arts in general but my favourite just might be food. My earlier childhood years were spent both in Willis with my grandmother on my father’s side and in Carriacou with my grandmother on my mother’s side where I was adopted into the culture of the “Kayaks” which made me very animated.

Being the last born at the time I could not escape my older sister who had a passion for singing, one I did not share but fortunately she did not care. Sibling bonding time would include being forced into learning songs and lyrics and being punished if it wasn’t to her satisfaction. I took my ‘talent’ to church literally and the validation from church folk became the catalyst for me being more open to experiencing a consensual relationship with music. However, it was songwriting that became the outlet that fostered a healthy marriage and love between music and me. 

Through the years I’ve been able to see the fruits of this union doing things I’ve always seen for myself. In 2021 I was blessed to accompany Sabrina Francis on her “Million Moments” Europe tour,  we performed in the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland. My song “Till the Morning Time” was then featured on BBC 1Xtra by David Rodigan which was special for me. I was blessed with opportunities like performing for Sofar Sounds and Spotify HQ in collaboration with Vibe Village. One of my favourite performances to date is my performance at Chaka Khan’s South Bank Festival where I performed one of my latest singles called “Fire.

What inspires your music? Are there specific themes or experiences that influence your songwriting?

My music is inspired by life itself. I believe [that in order] to articulate something meaningfully it has to come from some sort of first-hand or second-hand experience.  A lot of my earlier music was based on riddim, the feel I got from progressions but now it’s a lot more about my story and healing through and helping people [to] heal and feel or not. 

You’ve performed at the Sofar Sounds concert in London. Can you share your thoughts on that experience and how it impacted your career?

My involvement with Sofar Sounds came at a time when I was trying to push and redefine myself as an artist outside of my country. I made a fresh start so to speak, and at that time, from not having much of a presence in the U.K. Sofar Sounds connected me to a network of supporters who come to these shows for the sole purpose of meeting and connecting with artists and their craft on a deeper level. The environment that Sofar Sounds curates is great for artists who are trying to be heard.

As a young artist, how do you balance staying true to your artistic vision while also appealing to a wider audience?

I think that one of the things that I’ve realised is being uniquely you, as corny as that sounds, really appeals to audiences more. The journey so far has taught me that following my artistic vision will lead me to wider audiences. 

Grenada has a rich cultural heritage. How does your music reflect or draw from Grenadian traditions and influences?

A lot of the Grenadian music I’ve listened to growing up from gospel to calypso, from reggae to soca all have a bit of something that I like to call Grenadian soul. Not sure if it’s natural or learnt but there is something about the way we speak and create that I think comes through in a lot of my creations and musical choices. 

Are there any Caribbean artists who have inspired your work?

I would say the Caribbean artists that I look at that have been inspiring are Kes, Jimmy October, Kevin Lyttle, Adam O and Shaggy to name a few and all who I would love to collaborate with.

Tell us about your creative process. How do you approach writing lyrics and composing melodies?

So my writing process varies. One of my phases is a phase I like to call the gibberish phase, that’s where I just freestyle whatever comes to my head to find a catchy melody that works. I also play games where I’d write different topics, phrases or words on a paper and I would dip to see what I get and create based on that. Honing your craft as an artist is important. 

What role do you believe music plays in promoting cultural identity and unity in the Caribbean?

I believe that the differences, similarities and overall vibe of the music that Caribbean people create are uniquely ours. People can try to replicate it but it’s just something in our DNA that causes us to make and identify with something that is authentically Caribbean. ‘Caribbean music’ or music made by artists who have a connection to the Caribbean triggers some sort of reaction and feeling. I believe that feeling can connect us all.

You’ve been singing for fourteen years. What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting their journey?

The advice I will give to artists who want to get started on their musical journey is to simply start. Get to know yourself through experimentation. Trial and error is a great part of finding what makes you unique. Pay attention to successful artists, emulate the good and whatever doesn’t apply, let it go. Take breaks to live life truthfully and challenge yourself. Think of music like a bank account: you can only withdraw what you put in. 

Lastly, can you share any exciting projects or collaborations you have in the pipeline?

I’m currently getting ready to release a couple of projects I have been working on for some time. Stay tuned to my social media for any announcements and updates.

You can keep up with Jonathan Francis on Instagram and YouTube and listen to him on our curated Spotify playlist.