Also known as: Jethro Lion, Reggae Evangelist, Son of Light
State of origin: Imo State, Nigeria
Genre: Reggae, Roots Reggae, Dancehall
Occupation: Musician, Music Producer, Sound Engineer
Instruments: Vocals, Keyboard, Drums, Percussion
### Early Life
Jethro Lion hails from Ezinihitte Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria, and is the third of four children born to the late Mr. Janna Ibe Abara and Mrs. Margareth Abara. Currently residing in Lagos State, Nigeria, Jethro's passion for music ignited in 1998 when his mother took him to a music studio while working on her second album. Captivated by the artistry of producers and musicians frequenting the studio, he made it a habit to accompany her each time. Eager to learn, he absorbed everything happening around him.
His enthusiasm for music extended into his church life, where he would sit as close to the instrumentalists as possible each Sunday to observe their performance. This dedication led to his involvement in school as one of the drummers for the band. At the age of thirteen, his determination to play music intensified. One day, he entered a church where the choir was singing without instrumental accompaniment and boldly approached the drum set to play. This moment marked his debut as the official drummer for the church.
Not content with just drumming, Jethro seized the opportunity to learn the piano when the church organized a two-month music training course. After school, he attended keyboard tutorials at the church and distinguished himself as the best student. Consequently, he became the official keyboardist; with no one to replace him on drums, he taught a friend to play, and together they began to perform.
### Later Life
As he matured, Jethro’s focus expanded to music creation and production. Influenced by prominent figures such as Dr. Dre, Ojb Jezeerel, Cobhams Asuquo, and Paul Runz, he began spending significant time at a local music studio, often skipping household responsibilities to immerse himself in the craft. After completing secondary school, he pursued music production through connections made via his mother. Since then, he has produced for various artists, including Kenzos, Freestyle, 2Shotz, Niyola, Ruffcoin Nwaba, Vector, Glenn, and Fela Khaliif. He collaborated with Nigerian Fuji veteran Malaika on a peace and unity song featuring Oritse Femi and Dude Teshola, becoming well-known in the industry as Caution Caution J. Smith Production.
### Reggae Music
Despite his success as a music producer, Jethro Lion felt a deeper calling beyond production. He dedicated years to honing his singing and songwriting talents while creating beats for other artists. Earning their respect and trust, he began directing and arranging their music, which ultimately led him to establish his own identity as a recording and performing artist. He found his unique sound within reggae music, prompting him to undergo a two-year personal boot camp that involved extensive reading, research, listening, practicing, and meditating. This introspective journey helped him develop a style imbued with profound spiritual resonance.
In a radio interview, Jethro explained the significance of his name, stating, "Jethro is the father-in-law of the great Moses, who divided the Red Sea through the powers of the Most High. My late father must have seen a lot of potential in me to give me the name Jethro, and the Lion reflects who I am. God blessed me with a mighty talent for music, so yeah man, I am a Lion." When asked why he chose reggae music, he responded, "The world today is sick, and reggae music is healing music. The world needs this healing. Many use music to spread confusion and destruction, but with my Father's music, there is an intention to cure depression, alleviate frustration, and reject rejection."
Jethro Lion has focused his career solely on music. He has delivered energetic performances at shows such as Ital Vibrations and the Lagos State Music Festival. In 2015, he performed at the Africa Meet Reggae World Music Festival, sharing the stage with legendary Nigerian reggae artists like Majek Fashek, Victor Essiet The Mandator, Ras Kimono, and Pupa Oritz Wiliki, as well as notable artists such as Burna Boy and Oritse Femi. He also graced the same stage in 2016 with international artists Eljait and Nkule Dube, the daughter of the late Lucky Dube, along with Victor Essiet of the Mandators, Sheyi Shay, King Wadada, and many others. In 2019, he signed a distribution deal with VP Records' VPAL Music.
