Canton Jones

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Canton Jones

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Background = solo_singer
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Born = Deerfield Beach, Florida
United States
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Genre = Christian: Christian hip-hop
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Years_active = Start date|2002 - Present
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Canton Jones, born in Deerfield Beach, Florida, [cite web|url=http://www.pittradio.net/music_info/artist_info.asp?id=788&section=bio|accessdate=2008-05-25|title=Canton Jones's Biography] is an American Christian musician and Christian hip-hop artist.

Biography

Early years

Canton Jones began singing at the age of 5 in a vocal group founded by his father. By the age of 16, he was writing for and producing records for friends in his hometown.cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?pid=501073|title=Billboard.com, Canton Jones|accessdate=2008-05-25]

He relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where he attended Morehouse College joining the school's renowned Glee Club. The club performed for celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Dr. Bobby Jones and Ray Charles, as well as performing at high profile events such as the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games and at the first gospel concert ever held at the US Pentagon. cite web|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Canton_Jones__Think_God_Gospel_And_Grandmas_Not_Gangstas_Girls_And_Guns/27430/p1/|title=Canton Jones: Think God, Gospel And Grandmas, Not Gangstas, Girls And Guns|accessdate=2007-09-22]

Between 1998 and 1999, he joined World Changers Church International, under the pastorship of Creflo & Taffi Dollar and in his own words, grew as a Christian under their stewardship: "My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, took me to World Changers and I started getting the word. I was going to that church for like three years before I really rededicated my life to Christ. I was there from probably like 1998 or 1999 until 2001 before I really started getting on track."

Musical career

In 2001, Jones launched his own gospel record label, CAJO Entertainment. and independently released his first album, 2002's "20 Years, 3 Months & 12 Days", which chronicled his journey to salvation.

He released his second independent album in 2004: "The Password" and that same year, collaborated with Lil iROCC Williams on Williams's 2004 debut album, and wrote and performed a song, "You and Me", for the compilation "Holy Hip-Hop:Taking the Gospel to the Streets".

At this time he was now a member of the choir of World Changers International Church and a solo performance at the church attracted the attention of the church's youth pastor, who asked Jones to help him in the youth department. Not long after that, he was signed to the church's Arrow Records label, an affiliate of EMI.

He released his major label debut, "Love Jones", in the summer of 2005, which debuted at number 11 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart.. The album is named after his daughter, Love, born to him and wife Ramona in 2004. [cite web|url=http://www.gospelengine.com/members/362/|title=Canton Jones Biography|accessdate=2008-05-26] . Following the album's success, Canton toured the US with over 200 appearances that year.

In November 2005, "The Password" was re-released nationally at the end of 2005 as "The Password: Access Granted" and earned him two Grammy nominations. His success in 2005 saw him listed in "The Atlanta Business Journal" at number 19 in their "40 Under 40" chart of Atlanta's rising stars.

On date|2008-02-05, he released "Kingdom Business".

Personal life

Canton Jones has a wife named Ramona and they have a daughter, Love Jones. He attends World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia, where he sings as a member of the praise & worship team.

Discography

Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = "20 Years 3 Months 12 Days"
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Released = 2002
Format = CD
Label = Independent
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = "The Password"
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from Album =
Released = 2004
Format = CD
Label = Independent
Writer =
Producer =
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
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Bonus tracks =
Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = "Love Jones"
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from Album =
Released = 2005
Format = CD
Label = Arrow Records
Writer =
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Chart position= US Christian #40, US Gospel #11 [http://wc05.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0xfixqr0ldje~T5 Billboard|Canton Jones] , Allmusic.com]
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks =
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = "The Password:Access Granted"
Other info =
from Album =
Released = Re-release, 2005
Format = CD
Label = Arrow Records
Writer =
Producer =
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks =
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = "Kingdom Business"
Other info =
from Album =
Released = date|2008-02-05
Format = CD
Label = Arrow Records
Writer =
Producer =
Director =
Chart position= #187 US, #13 US Christian, #3 US Gospel
Sales =
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Tracks =
Bonus tracks =
Singles = ----

References