Anthea McGibbon

Andre “RawSoul” Morris has become a familiar face on Jamaican television, as we see him in Bigga Soft Drinks, Jagra Tonic Wine, Digicel and Sagicor advertisements. His latest feature is in the Digicel’s Haiti relief effort video “We Shall Rise”. He has also been featured in videos of know recording artiste Etana and others.

A young entrepreneur of the arts, Morris came from humble beginnings and now is great influence among his peers. Born March 31st 1984 to Paulette Hendricks and Jabes Morris at the University of the West Indies hospital, neither parent could have forseen the accomplishments of their son; they could only hope that he would make them proud parents.

Andre Morris’ first school was the Rollington Town Primary School (from 1991 to 1996), in that community. He then attended Camperdown High School, and then later matriculated to the University of Technology in 2003, graduating in the year 2007 with a Bachelors of Education in Business and Computer Studies.
For Morris, growing up in the Rollington Town community was difficult as he was raised by a single parent household, in a tenement yard. The lack of money was always an issue in his home; however, Morris drew strength from his mother who taught him humility and perseverance. These were the characteristics he adopted and developed to make him a rising icon among his peers.

When asked the question what had propelled him to want to achieve, Morris relayed the story of watching his mother cry, after breaking down under the duress of the stress of poverty.

Teeshirts by RawSoul

He then vowed to find a means of providing for his family so that his mother would not have to cry again. Thus, on entering high school he began playing sports where he ran track, played basketball, volleyball and rugby. Sports was his avenue out of poverty then as he played for Jamaica’s under twenty volley ball team and gained scholarships that paid his tuition throughout his sixth form and university years.
Although Andre had a great interest in sports his career goal was to become an entrepreneur. His mother, though always supportive of her son, was not contented with her son being a businessman and tried to persuade him to continue in track and field where she believed he would be more successful. However, Morris had wider and greater aspirations as he realized his capabilities in the arts.
Morris had an inkling about his dramatic talents; but, he only stumbled on the idea of how great a potential he has in the field when he signed up for the university elective course, Introduction to Drama and Arts. He attended the extracurricular class where he did an impromptu that had such an effect on his Lecturer that she advised him to enter the JCDC festival of Arts. He then began working on his own material with the aid of his teachers Ms. Joan Belfon and Mrs. Karen Harriot-Wilson and was successful on winning first place the first time he entered. Andre found his niche. He then joined organizations such as the Utech Theatre Ensemble; and, to hone his acting skills participated in the Center Stage Acting Workshop.
The skills that he acquired, later resulted in his role in the show “Buss Big” put on by the Area Youth Foundation, an organization he is involved with that teaches conflict resolution and helps teenagers in garrison communities. He then moved on to seek further training at Centre Stage then showed off his talent in the play “Moon on a Rainbow Shawl;” which gave him the break he needed into the acting world. He then went on to be in “Positive” for Sankofa Arts and Facilitation, then “Ah Soh It Go”, “Season Rice”, and “Voices” in the year 2008, and many others in the following years. He then became a part of the theatre fraternity as theatre practitioners accepted him as a true young ambassador of the arts giving him raving reviews. Despite the raving reviews all doors were not easily opened to the newcomer; because, in the theatre world a number of cliques and fraternities existed. In addition, some producers would only work with certain actors.

Andre 'RawSoul' Morris actor, singer, graphic designer

Despite the challenges, while continuing to practice drama Morris entered the catwalk as a model for Pulse International modeling agency which he stayed with for three years. Within the three years he has participated in over twenty one shows in Caribbean Fashion Week. He describes his early years in the fashion industry as exciting but challenging; because, although he was with an agency he had to do most of his own marketing.

His entrance into the fashion industry brought about his interest in designing in 2005; which, came by chance one day while he and his brother Alvin Lue sat idling around the computer. The words RawSoul were typed as the name of the clothing line, bringing laughter to their lips as it brought to mind the Jamaican vernacular curse word “Rasshole”. In describing “RawSoul” as a “movement, he says “‘RawSoul’ is a lifestyle, its being true to yourself.” The brand spells out purity of the soul.” It means “speaking out loud from an untainted place where society cannot place any rules. ‘RawSoul’ is life without boundaries. No hypocrisy, pure truth. ‘RawSoul’ plays on the curse word ‘RassHole’ which shows the other side of the brand.” The play on the words in relation to the Jamaican curse word causes persons to gravitate to the clothing line. T-shirts would have positive quotes mixed with the pun of “RawSoul.”

Andre ‘RawSoul’ Morris has achieved much in his twenty six years. His achievements include being the recipient of the Prime Ministers Youth award from the Hon. Bruce Golding and winning the Louise Bennett trophy for Excellence in Arts in the year 2008. He is still looking to be a force to be reckoned with in the future as he seeks to become the premier actor in the households of Jamaica and internationally. He also aims to be the first Jamaican actor who makes the first hit blockbuster Hollywood movie while expanding in his entrepreneurial ventures.

On the runway

Jamaica can look out for more of Andre Morris and “RawSoul” at integration Thursdays on the University of the West Indies Mona Campus on February 25, 2010 and at Igloo on Sunday February 28, 2010. He will also be in two plays coming from the Pantry Playhouse in April 2010, and The Ministry of Health’s HIV campaign for the year 2010.

andre morris, Digicel's Haiti Relief, etana, raw soul, recording artiste, w shal rise