Chris Martin - file

He is the Rising Star who transcends musical and generational borders. He is a gospel and secular act, equally adored by screaming 15-year-old girls and doting 80-year-old women. Chris Martin has risen at the speed of sound to the top of the local pop scene. Over the course of the month, The STAR will attempt to bring Jamaica's rising star a bit closer to you than your television set ever could.

Keep reading for features, competitions and a chance to win a date with a Rising Star.

Chris Martin : biography

He was born Christopher Cleveland Martin on February 14, 1987 to Cleveland and Maxine Martin at the Spanish Town Hospital. Chris Martin, as he is now called, attended the Back Pasture Basic School and then the Watermount All-Age School where he sat the Common Entrance Examination and was awarded a free scholarship to the St. Jago High School.

While attending St. Jago High, Chris participated in various activities: sports, where he played football for seven years and drama, where he was awarded the best actor award in the Schools Drama Festival 2003. In that year, he became Mr. St. Jago High and he also received the sectional prize, 'Most talented'. In addition to that, throughout his school career he won numerous awards for singing.

Gold medal

In 2005, he was awarded the Gold Medal in the Jamaica National Skills competition in singing. He graduated from St. Jago High in July 2003, where he achieved seven (7) CXC and 1 GCE and went on to 6th form where he achieved 4 subjects in Cape units one and two.

In May 2005, Chris auditioned for the Digicel Rising Stars competition, where he became the successful candidate in September 2006. He has recorded a single for the Digicel Christmas promotions entitled Love Is All We Need along with a video. He also has a single on the Big Yaad Label entitled Conscience which is currently being aired on several radio stations and a Christmas song entitled Christmas in Jamdown done with the Katalys Crew. In addition to that, there is another entitled My Love for You recorded under the Bad Wolf Label, which will be released in February, 2006.

Christopher has performed on several Digicel Road Shows promoting the various packages they have to offer all over Jamaica. In addition to that, he has performed at various functions/shows all over the island and is currently booked for several gospel shows, awards functions, and secular shows.

He recently signed a contract with Blue Cross of Jamaica who is celebrating their 50th year in providing accessible and affordable health coverage to the people of Jamaica and will make appearances for Blue Cross until June 2007.

Banker-to-be?

Chris is currently advancing his education at the University of Technology where he is pursing a career in banking and finance. His ambition in life is to become an entrepreneur and a successful recording artiste.

His hobbies are singing, reading, socialising and baking. His favourite food is ackee and saltfish with roasted breadfruit, johnny cakes and any form of pastry. Chris advises his peers to study hard, be yourself and put God first in everything you do.