Near-death experience influences Radcliffe John's music

Radcliffe Palmer, better known as 'Radcliffe John', was just another dancehall artiste until 1999, when a terrible illness threatened his life.

From then, he decided that he would re-evaluate his way of living and the content of his music.

More than 20 years later, he has stayed true to his word.

His journey with music began early. After his father migrated to work abroad, Radcliffe discovered a passion for music within himself.

"My older brother always had cassettes of deejays back in the day. I would listen to the tapes and found that it stirred something inside me," he said. "I loved the way that so many people could do music and be creative."

By the time Radcliffe took up the responsibility of his father's farm, he had found himself creating music of his own.

"I would be making tunes in my head and scribble them in my exercise books while the animals fed. It was at that time, as a young boy, I realised there is a lot of music inside me," he said.

While the bulk of his music can be labeled as gospel, Radcliffe John chooses not to limit himself so long as he is reaching others with positive music.

This is evident in his JCDC Festival Song Competition entry, Type of Jamaica, which is a positive manifestation of Radcliffe's beliefs and love for his country.