In 2005, 18-year-old Christopher Martin had aspirations to attend college; however, he fell short on the necessary financial support.

A student at St Jago High school in Spanish Town, St Catherine, he was encouraged by friends to enter the second season of the popular Digicel Rising Stars competition, which he could potentially win and use the prize money to further his education.

“Mi give thanks to mi bredrin dem from St Jago High with me. They saw the talent and believed in me. I had no intention of entering Digicel Rising Stars, but mi just did waan go college and mi never did know how mi ago go, yuh si mi. And mi fren dem say, ‘Just go enter Rising Stars and win’, so mi haffi big dem up, man like Randy, Blacks, and Bag Juice. A deh so it start from, and now here I am 20 years later,” Christopher Martin told the Jamaica Observer on the weekend.

According to Sharon Schroeter, series producer for Digicel Rising Stars, Martin sang a song made popular by Stevie Wonder to impress the judges and to advance to the television rounds.

“Christopher was actually very shy when he auditioned, but he had a voice that made everyone stop in their tracks. It was one of the sweetest, smoothest voices we had ever heard,” Schroeter recalled.

She added: “Our 2005 auditions were huge, and our Kingston auditions were held at the National Stadium on day one, and at the Knutsford Court hotel on day two. I saw Chris on day two when the numbers were less.”

Martin, Noddy Virtue, Face, and singer Daynea Deacon were favourites from the competition that year, but it was Martin and Virtue who went to the finals. A massive crowd showed up at the Emancipation Park in New Kingston that the producers had to move the results show to another location.

“Both Chris and Noddy had their fan base, so it was anyone’s game to win. At the end of the day, it’s about how the public voted, so no matter who won they were both deserving of the title,” Schroeter shared.

“How is it 20 years already?!”, Schroeter asked, “I can still see Chris in his oversized shirts on stage back then. Now I don’t think anyone can feel prouder than me. I love hearing his songs on the radio, seeing him perform on various stages across the world, and watching the response of the people; he is a true star… I wish him another 20 years doing what he loves… Love you, Chris and happy 20th!”

Since topping the talent series Martin has completed a bachelor’s degree with a major in finance and minor in human resource management at the University of Technology, Jamaica. He also signed with VP Records and released two full-length albums — 2017’s Big Deal, #3 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart; and 2019’s And Then, which went to #1 — along with an EP titled Steppin Razor, which topped out at #15 on the Billboard chart.

Among his slate of hits are Big Deal, Cheaters Prayer, Giving It, Chill Spot, To the Top with German reggae artiste Gentleman (which was last year certified gold in Germany), and 2012’s Paper Loving, which is featured on ZJ Chrome’s Cardiac Bass rhythm series.

Paper Loving was two weeks ago certified silver in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry for sales and streaming exceeding 200,000 units.

Martin said the certification caught him by surprise.

“When I got word about Paper Loving being certified silver I was surprised. It just goes to show that quality music is just quality music. And that’s why quality is better than quantity. I did that song over a decade ago and everywhere I perform it has to be in the set. It’s just a blessing, man,” said Martin.

Asked what has kept him going after 20 years he said his children play an integral part in motivating him.

“I’ve been a father for over 13 years now. Mi yute dem, they are my main source of inspiration and motivation. I can see my purpose and why I love music so much. I love to sing, because everything that happens is because of music,” Martin shared while hinting that a new album is gearing up for release in September.

“A new album is coming in September, and we have a bunch of names that we are playing with. I like ‘Gems’ because it’s going to be pure gems on the album. The producers I am working with include Christopher Birch and ZJ Chrome. I, myself, produced songs on the album as well. The project is about 90 per cent completed and we did the photo shoot over a week ago,” he shared.

Martin’s latest hit, Wife and Sweetheart, recently spent four weeks at #1 on the New York Reggae chart. It took over the #1 spot on the South Florida Reggae chart last weekend.

MARTIN…I had no intention of entering Digicel Rising Stars.

Chris Martin in a scene from KFC Jamaica’s Big Deal commercial.

Christopher Martin in 2018. (Steve James)

Chris Martin.