Bertram Johnson (2)

Jamaican Reggae artist, writter, singer and producer also known as Bandito, then Ras Mandito. Born Bertram Matture Johnson in November 1954, he grew up in the area of Maxfield Park, St. Andrew, Jamaica. Billed as "Bert Johnson" in 1977-78, he burst on the Jamaican theatrical circuit playing the title role in the unforgettable pantomime "Johnny Reggae". The theatre had taken first call on his artistic development and many other acting engagements followed, including "Mansong", "The Dread Mikado", "Ship To Zion" and "Front Room", as well as a few video projects and mini-movies "Salome" and "Country of the One-Eyed God". In 1979, then under the acronym of "Bandito", he co-produced his first single "See What You Stirring Up" with ‘Naggo’ Morris of the Heptones, as his contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa at that time. In the early 80’s, he linked up with Earl "Chinna" Smith of High Times Records, recording "Fall Over", "Jah Victory", "Rolling River", and "Macca Pot". He has been a member of the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes & Affiliates (JAVAA) since 2004, and is currently an executive member. Songs like "The Lion King", "Don’t Mix I Up", and "History Of The World" are spiritually Rastafari charged, while his latest hit is a sweet, sublime love song entitled "Saw You In The Rain" done for Congo Ashanti Roy’s Kotokoto Music label. Ras Mandito, in recent years, has accomplished what he considers the primary objective of his sojourn in this life, to have completed the manuscript for "The Testament of Rastafari".