Toronto-based R&B artist Mark Clennon released Kingston, a personal new single in which he deconstructs two conflicting sides of his identity on Tuesday (June 14).

Driven by an instantly catchy chorus and a rhythmic, nostalgic production, Kingston is a beautiful and conflicting reflection on intolerant attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community in Jamaica, juxtaposed with the hopes and aspirations of its people as well as with Clennon’s pride in his roots and identity.

The single follows the Passion and Foreign EPs, both released via Bonsound in 2019 and 2021, respectively.

Born in Kingston, Clennon combines the sounds of his hometown with those of pop and R&B.

“I wrote and produced it with the intention of creating a song that embodied the essence of Jamaican music but also had equal parts pop,” he said.

The result is as much dancehall as it is Toronto R&B, reflecting the artist’s cultural duality.

The song is accompanied by a daring video that presents its subject by defying taboos. Kingston also creates history as it contains the first gay onscreen romance between two men in a music video to be shot in Jamaica.

“Kingston means so much to me as it’s the first song I’ve written that directly addresses a same-sex partner, as opposed to the more general terms I have used in the past. Given the unique nature of the video, much care had to be taken to ensure that we were able to shoot all of the scenes without ruffling any feathers. All in all, we are beyond proud of what we have been able to accomplish,” Clennon mused.

One could almost watch the entirety of the five-minute music video like a dream, as the tenderness displayed onscreen seems foreign to the artiste.

Near the end of the video, flashbacks of the pair’s interactions give the impression the intimate moments didn’t happen, even if both Clennon and the viewing audience witnessed it for themselves.

Jamaica remains moderately conservative and intolerant toward the LGBT community, though the societal sentiment continues to slowly improve as more citizens recognise them as ‘just people’. With all the incremental progress, there is, however, a need for greater acceptance of LGBT Jamaicans since a sad majority are unable to openly live on their terms.

Despite his reticence about certain aspects of his culture, Mark Clennon loves Kingston and its people. His new single acts as an ode to the Jamaican capital and aims to give hope, not only to members of the LGBTQ+ community in his homeland, but to all marginalised groups. In other words, Kingston is an optimistic song that reminds us that things can always change for the better.

Born in Jamaica to a musical family, Clennon’s father was a Trench Town-bred saxophone player, and his brother became a successful dancehall producer.

Participation in Jamaican pantomimes while growing up inspired him to take a theatrical approach to his music, which today is reflected in his aesthetics, his erratic dance moves and his compelling stage presence.

The artist left his home country at age 15 and has since been struggling to find a balance between his Jamaican roots and growing into being Torontonian. The thriving R&B scene of the city is motivating for Clennon, though he often feels stuck between two cultures and realities, and is constantly trying to figure out how to bring together both sides. Mark Clennon makes music that is both grandiose and humble by mixing together a variety of genres.

The crooner delivers honest, touching lyrics in his powerful voice-over sweeping compositions. Clennon’s versatile beats and lyricism mesh together to create an empowering, emotional and captivating sound. 

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