RASTAFARI convert Anthony Cruz is hoping to take listeners on a spiritual journey with his latest project, Elect of Jah: Light of the World .
“Since my transition, my eyes have been opened to many things. I never used to sing like this five years ago,” he told Jamaica Observer. “This album is very different; it’s a spiritual album with a special vibe. It talks about what I’ve been through in my life and brings to the fore some of the things that are missing from the music. So it will uplift, educate, and inspire people.”
Released June 16, the 16-track album is on the Shan Shan Music imprint.
Anthony Cruz
According to the singer, he shopped different producers to avoid a sameness to the set. Sly & Robbie ( In My Shoes), Bobby Digital ( Where Will I Be), singer Linval Thompson ( Know Him For Yourself), DJ Kat ( Let It Burn), Christopher Hooper ( Black Man Story), Katalyst Crew ( Shanice), Black Pearl ( Heart Mind And Soul), and Christopher Knight ( In My Life and Cold Blooded) are some of the project’s producers. Ainsworth “Big A” Higgins, Michael “Mixing Finger” Stewart, and Cruz are credited as executive producers.
“Most songs are foundation and spiritual songs… your spirituality is what connects you to the Almighty.”
Accompanying music videos for All Riches, Heart Mind And Soul, and Where Will I Be are doing the rounds.
He lists his favourite tracks as Let It Burn and Shanice. The latter is named after his 15-year-old daughter, Shanice Smith, who was shot and killed by her stepdad in Florida in February. Her mom, Karen Lyle, was also killed in the domestic violence attack.
Shanice Smith
“I had written the song Shanice when she was born. I gave her a CD with that song years ago. When I was packing up her stuff after her passing, I saw the CD. I was happy I gave it to her as she is my first child and only daughter. So I decided to do over the song properly,” said Cruz, who also has a nine-year-old son.
Cruz said the feedback to Elect of Jah: Light of the World has been a positive one so far.
“People tell me how it inspire them. I looking for great things and me nah talk money just upliftment. It’s doing good,” he said.
A promotional tour of the United States is planned for September.
Anthony Cruz
Before his conversion roughly two years ago, Cruz (given name Rowan Smith) had been a popular singer on the dancehall circuit. He is the uncle of roots reggae revival singer Garnet Silk who died in 1995. Aaron Silk, another roots vocalist, is also his nephew.
His previous albums include Where There’s Love, Fight With All Your Might, Mama’s Blessing and Cruz Control.
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