Colin Alwin Harris (born 6 June 1974), professionally known by his stage name Colle´ Kharis (pronounced Collay Karis), is a Guyanese American reggae and dancehall recording artist hailing from the small country of Guyana, South America.[1] He is best known for his 2022 single "Johnny Don't Cry".[2]
Colle´ Kharis | |
|---|---|
 Colle´ Kharis Performing in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Colin Alwin Harris |
| Also known as | Colle Kharis the Scorpion |
| Born | 6 June 1974 Georgetown, Guyana, South America |
| Genres | Dancehall, reggae, reggae fusion, roots reggae |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instrument(s) |
|
| Years active | 2000–2006 2022–present |
| Labels | RacJam Records, Star Apple Creative |
| Website | www |
Biography edit
Background edit
Colle´ Kharis was born in Kitty, a district of Georgetown, in Guyana's Demerara-Mahaica Region.[3] He grew up in nearby Bachelor's Adventure,[a] a semi-rural village on the east coast of Guyana, until relocating to the United States.[5][6] His stage name, Colle´ Kharis, is a byproduct of his birth name, Colin Harris. Colle´ was the fifth of six children. His father, a veteran of the Guyana Defense Force, died when Colle´ was thirteen years old. His mother worked as a sales manager at a community shopping plaza in Guyana. In 1990, he immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, with his family. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States military.[7]
Education edit
Colle´ Kharis earned an Associate Degree in Electronics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force and dual associate degrees in General Studies and Industrial management Technology from Northwest Florida State College. In 2008, he achieved a bachelor's degree in Electronics and Instrumentation Technology from Excelsior College. Later, in 2010, he received a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems from Troy University. While working as a Airway Transportation Systems Specialist for the FAA, he pursued a Educational Specialist degree in Education, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction at The University of West Florida, which he completed in 2018.[8][7][9] In 2021, Colle´ Kharis capped off his academic journey with a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Instruction and Human Performance Technology from The University of West Florida.[10][11]
Career edit
Colle´ Kharis' got his passion for music from his father. As a young boy, Colle´ watch his father routinely playing his collection of vinyl records – consistently flipping the record to the opposite side to listen to the other songs. His interest grew for deejaying after routinely watching his favorite reggae artists performing on Reggae Sunsplash and Sting reggae music festivals on VHS. At Age 14, Colle´ started writing lyrics to the instrumentals (riddim) side of his father's size 45 vinyl records. Shortly after, Colle´ picked up the microphone and began toasting under the moniker of Scorpion.[7]
Colle´ Kharis enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1999 and obtained the AFSC of 2E0X1 (Ground Radar Systems).[12] He served with 96th Communications Squadron during the War in Afghanistan and Second Persian Gulf War. The highest rank he achieved was Staff sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge in 2005.
In 2005, Colle´ Kharis embarked on a civil servant career with the Department of Defense, stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle. His professional journey continued to evolve when, in late 2008, he joined the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (Electrical Engineering Technician), based in Orlando, Florida. In 2018, Colle´ Kharis expanded his horizons by accepting an interagency position as a Systems and Security Specialist for the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, marking a transition to Tampa, Florida. However, in 2021, after a successful and impactful career in aviation, Colle´ Kharis retired from the FAA to pursue his true passion—music. [13][7] Today, he thrives as a full-time fusion-reggae recording artist, channeling his creative energies into his music career. [14]
Colle´ Kharis began recording his full-length debut album, Defined Versatility,[7][2] which he co-produced. He completed and released Defined Versatility, while serving in the United States Air Force in the Florida Panhandle. It was first released in 2005 by the independent label, Rac Jam Records, and then rereleased through DistroKid in May 2019. Colle´ perfected his craft as a performer by sharing the stage as the opening act for Jamaican reggae artist Wayne Wonder and popular Hip-hop artists such as Slick Rick, Mr. Cheeks, Ying Yang Twins, Pastor Troy, Chamillionaire, Lil’ Flip, Roy Jones Jr., and more. In 2022, Colle´ Kharis recorded "Johnny Don't Cry", a track inspired, in part, by the public trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, and Tomorrow's Freedom, a revolutionary song tackling the injustices against the poor and minorities. In 2023, he released his sophomore album titled The Book of Colle´ Kharis."
Discography edit
Albums edit
Defined Versatility [15]
- Released: 2005
- Format: CD, Digital Stream
- Label: Rac Jam Records
- Producer: Master Wiz, Colle´ Kharis
- Singles: "Case of Emergency", "The Jam"
The Book of Colle´ Kharis [16]
- Released: 2023
- Format: Digital Stream
- Label: Rac Jam Records, Star Apple Creative
- Producer: So Fo Real, Curtis Endustrie, Only Vibes, Sound Mind
- Singles: "Johnny Don't Cry", "Tomorrow's Freedom", "Life of Purpose"
Singles edit
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Ma Riddle Ma Re" [17] | 2024 | - |
| "Echoes of War" [18] | 2024 | - |
| "Remarkable Woman" [19] | 2023 | - |
| "Krates" [20] | 2023 | - |
| "Life of Purpose" [21] | 2023 | The Book of Colle´ Kharis |
| "Tomorrow's Freedom" [22] | 2022 | The Book of Colle´ Kharis |
| "Johnny Don't Cry" [23] | 2022 | The Book of Colle´ Kharis |
Guest appearances edit
| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Stepp! [24] | 2024 | CBD Da General | - |
| "Revolution" [25] | 2024 | Master Wiz | World Away |
| "3 Wishes" [26] | 2023 | Realz Reality | Renaissance of the Risen |
Filmography edit
|
|
Awards and nominations edit
| Organization | Year | Award | Recipient or nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The International Red Carpet Awards Holland | 2024 |
- Best Voice All Genre |
Himself for "Life of Purpose" Himself "Johnny Don't Cry" "Johnny Don't Cry" Colle´ Kharis Music Himself |
Pending | [35] |
| International Singer-Songwriters Association | 2024 |
- Rising Star |
Himself "The Book of Colle´ Kharis" "Life of Purpose" "Johnny Don't Cry" Himself |
Pending | [36] |
Achievements edit
Colle´ Kharis' song Life of Purpose was named Song of the Week in March 2024 by National Communications Network (NCN) 98.1 Hot FM, by Nerissa Pearson. [37][38]
Notes edit
- ^ Bachelor's Adventure is also the home village of fellow Guyanese reggae artist, Natural Black, according to village locals.[4][5]
References edit
- ^ Clarke, Tangerine. "Guyanese filmaker wins award for directorial début". Caribbean Life Magazine. Caribbean Life Magazine. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- ^ a b Cirino, Lorin (30 October 2022). "Colle' Kharis on Creativity, Indie Artistry, and the Path to his 'The Book of Colle' Kharis' Album". SACRISE Magazine. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "Dr. Colin A. Harris: Journalist, Film Director, Author, Researcher". Star Apple Creative. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Deonauth, Samaria (29 June 2014). "Bachelor's Adventure". Stabroek News. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ a b Wayne, Alex (13 October 2019). "Bachelor's Adventure: a quiet village where youth are straying from their roots". Kaieteur News. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ Stoute, Cloyette (30 October 2016). "Winner of 'Best Florida Project at the Central Florida Film Festival' for his Action Thriller Movie" (PDF). Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc.on-line Magazine. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Life & Work with Colle Kharis". Voyage Tampa Magazine. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "Dr. Colin A. Harris: Journalist, Film Director, Author, Researcher". Star Apple Creative. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "Colle´ Kharis is more than just a reggae artist; He's a doctor, an electrical engineering technician, a veteran of the United States military, and a musical force on a mission to uplift souls and spread conscious lyricism". Colle´ Kharis. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "University of West Florida Fall Commencement: Saturday, December 11, 2021" (PDF). The University of West Florida. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ Harris, Colin. "Air Traffic Control Specialists' Perceptions Of Simulation For Developing Job-related Competencies" (PDF). The University of West Florida. UWF Dissertations. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ Williams, Kim. "Ground Radar Systems, AFSC: 2E0X1, Active Duty". Defense Technical Information Center. DTIC. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
- ^ "Dr. Colin A. Harris: Journalist, Film Director, Author, Researcher". Star Apple Creative. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "Colle´ Kharis is more than just a reggae artist; He's a doctor, an electrical engineering technician, a veteran of the United States military, and a musical force on a mission to uplift souls and spread conscious lyricism". Colle´ Kharis. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ Kharis, Colle´. "Defined Versatility - Album by Colle´ Kharis". Spotify. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Kharis, Colle´. "The Book of Colle´ Kharis - Album by Colle´ Kharis". Spotify. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Colle´ Kharis. "Ma Riddle Ma Re - Single by Colle´ Kharis". DistroKid.
- ^ Colle´ Kharis. "Echoes of War - Single by Colle´ Kharis". Apple Music.
- ^ Colle´ Kharis. "Remarkable Woman - - Single by Colle´ Kharis". Spotify. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Kharis, Colle´. "Krates - Single by Colle´ Kharis". Spotify. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Colle´ Kharis. "Life of Purpose - Single by Colle´ Kharis". Spotify. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Colle´ Kharis. "Tomorrow's Freedom - Single by Colle´ Kharis". Apple Music. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Colle´ Kharis. "Johnny Don't Cry - Single by Colle´ Kharis". Spotify. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "CBD Da General - STEPP! - Song by Realz CBD Da General, Colle´ Kharis, & Finness". Spotify. Spotify. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "Master Wiz - REVOLUTION (Official Music Video) featuring Colle' Kharis". YouTube.Com. YouTube. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Realz Reality. "3 Wished - Song by Realz Reality & Colle´ Kharis". Spotify. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "MMXII". IMDB. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Haima". Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Haima". IMDB. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Pui Chan: Kung Fu Pioneer". Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Flawed Proposal". IMDB. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Colle' Kharis First Access Performance: Live". IMDB. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Xplore". IMDB. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "The Caribbean Net Worth". IMDB. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ FMPC Media. "The International Red Carpet Awards 202224 Nominees". FMPC Media. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "ISSA 2024 Nomination". International Singer-Songwriter Association. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ "Nerissa Pearson: Communication Specialist". Linkedin. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
- ^ "Life of Purpose" Named Song of the Week on NCN 98.1 Hot FM!". YouTube.Com. YouTube. Retrieved 27 April 2024.