Jesse Jagz
Jesse Jagz | |
---|---|
Birth name | Jesse Garba Abaga |
Also known as | Jargo |
Born | 10 August 1984 |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2003–present |
Labels | Jagz Nation |
Associated acts |
Jesse Garba Abaga (born 10 August 1984), known professionally as Jesse Jagz, is a Nigerian rapper, record producer and songwriter. He signed a record deal with Chocolate City in 2010 and released his debut studio album Jag of All Tradez that same year. He voluntarily exited the Chocolate City deal in 2013 and announced the launch of his independent label, Jagz Nation. Jagz released his second studio album Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come in 2013; it included singles such as "Redemption", "Bad Girl", "Sex & Scotch" and "God on the Mic". His third studio album, Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company, was released in 2014. He returned to Chocolate City in 2015 but left the label again prior to releasing his fourth studio album Odysseus in 2017. In May 2020, he released a 5-track EP titled Garba.
Music career[]
1984–2009: Early life and career beginnings[]
Jesse Garba Abaga was born on 10 August 1984[1] to Chris and Lydia Abaga.[2] He grew up in Jos and is a member of Taraba State's Jukun ethnic group.[3] His father is a pastor and his mother is a gospel artist and counselor.[2] He joined his church's choir at the age of seven and later learned to play the drums on his parents' drum kit. He recorded an unreleased album with the short-lived music group Gospel Insanity in 2003. A year later, Abaga formed the group Eleven Thirty; they enjoyed local success before disbanding in 2006.[3] Abaga first released music under the stage name Jesse Jagz shortly thereafter with his first hit single "Africa" in 2006, topping the charts of several local radio stations in northern Nigeria. In 2007, three of his singles had similar success, peaking within the Top 10 on several radio charts in the region.[3] Jesse Jagz has produced songs for several artists, including Majek Fashek, M.I Abaga, Banky W, Ice Prince, Mode 9, and Proverb and Dekunle Fuji.[4][5] In February 2009, he represented Nigeria at the Sauti Za Busara Music Festival.[4]
2010–2013: Jag of All Tradez, Chocolate City exit and Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come[]
Jesse Jagz released his debut studio album Jag of All Tradez on 21 April 2010.[6][7] It included the singles "Wetin Dey", "Pump It Up", "Jesse Swag", "Sugar Cane Baby" and "Bend Down Low".[8] The album was produced entirely by Jesse Jagz and went platinum in Nigeria two months after its release.[9] Described as a commercially driven pop project, the album was experimental in nature.[6] In an interview with Adeoye Arubayi, Jagz said the album was a learning process and a way for him to explore the different music markets in Nigeria.[10] Jag of All Tradez received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Keeps Magazine commended the album's production and Jesse Jagz's delivery, but ended the review saying that the record should have been shortened to ten songs.[8] Oye Akd of 360nobs granted the album an overall verdict of 7.5 stars out of 10, commending it for being a diverse body of work that contained a "mixture of beats and rhymes that exemplify where Nigerian hip-hop should be today".[11] Adeyinka Yusuff of BellaNaija awarded the album a 5/10 rating, praising its overall production while simultaneously criticizing its experimental nature.[12]
In March 2013, Jesse Jagz announced his voluntary exit from Chocolate City and the launch of his own independent outfit Jagz Nation.[13][14] Several media outlets such as Nigerian Entertainment Today and Pulse Nigeria reported that Chocolate City accused Jesse Jagz of owing them money and being a marijuana addict.[15] However, the label debunked the reports through their PR firm, World PR Media.[15] In an interview with Kolapo Olapoju, Jesse Jagz said he left Chocolate City because he got tired performing songs from his Jag of All Tradez album for three consecutive years.[16] Moreover, he told Vanguard newspaper the label's management had showed little interest in promoting a track he recorded.[17]
Jesse Jagz's second studio album Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come was released on 10 July 2013.[18] It features collaborations with guest artists such as 9ice, Wizkid, Brymo, James Maverik and Lindsey Abudei. Jesse Jagz recorded over 200 songs for the album and worked with producers Kid Konnect, Shady Bizniz, Samklef and GuiltyBeatz.[19] He didn't feature M.I Abaga or Ice Prince on the album because he wanted to be the only rapper on it.[20] In an interview posted on MADC.com, he elaborated on the album, saying "It's just going to be music. With the album I just tried to push the boundary. Writing, production, arrangement, engineering. I set out to just make good music. Forget about being Nigerian, forget about being in Lagos and just make some good music."[19] Jesse Jagz said he expected to receive mixed reviews when he dropped the album and that being gifted in recording and producing added to the album's depth.[19] Jesse Jagz promoted the album by holding the Jesse Jagz Experience concert at the New Afrika Shrine on 24 August 2013.[21][22] He told The Punch newspaper he decided to host the concert at the Shrine for historical reasons and to accommodate some of his less financially stable fans.[20] Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come was nominated for Best Rap Album at The Headies 2014 and for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[23][24]
The album's lead single "Redemption" was released on 29 May 2013. OkayAfrica said it is "anchored on an addictive clink-clank beat and swerving synth melody, which Jesse Jagz expertly rides and molds into a hip-hop-meets-dancehall gem."[25] The audio and visuals for "Redemption" were released simultaneously.[26] The Wizkid-assisted track "Bad Girl" was released on 10 July 2013, as the album's second single. Its music video was uploaded to YouTube on 7 December 2013.[27] Contributing a lead single to the Heaven's Hell film soundtrack, Jesse Jagz released the Femi Kuti-assisted track "3rd World War" on 7 August 2013.[28][29] On 19 January 2014, Jagz Nation released the music video for the third single from Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come, "Sex & Scotch", which was directed by Mex Film Production.[30] On 23 January 2014, Jesse Jagz released the J.O. King-directed animated video for the album's fourth single "God on the Mic".[31]
2014: Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company[]
Jesse Jagz released his third studio album, Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company, on 28 March 2014.[32] He hired fellow musicians Shady, Dugod, Hyce-age, Ibro and Phazehop to assist with production. The album consists of samples ranging from Rufus & Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" to excerpts from movies such as Network (1976), Scarface (1983), and Johnny Mad Dog (2008). The album features guest appearances and recording samples by Fela Kuti, Tupac, Rufus & Chaka Khan, Tesh Carter, Jumar, Dugod, Sarah Mitaru, Rexx and Show Dem Camp.[33][34] Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company was originally meant be a mixtape and was initially titled The Transfiguration of Jesse Jagz.[35] On 28 March 2014, Jesse Jagz made the album available for digital streaming on SoundCloud.[34] On 2 August 2014, he held the second edition of the Jesse Jagz Experience concert at the AGIP Recital Hall; he called it "The Greatest Concert" and performed with a 16-man hip-hop orchestra band.[36]
Jesse Jagz started creating the album by recording a mixture of ideas for two months. After the two-month period, his team sifted through the music and selected the album's final track listing. He chose the album's title to sensitize Nigerians about their history, saying that he made the album for his core fans.[37] He described the album as two steps above Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come and said he wanted to stay away from reggae-influenced sounds for sentimental reasons. He hoped people found healing from the album and wanted people who were hurting to find comfort in it.[37] On 17 March 2014, the album's cover art was released to the general public.[38] Inspired by the works of René Magritte, it shows a standing man with his face hidden by an apple. The concept behind Magritte's work revolves around revealing one thing and hiding another. The cover art features a model holding different items that symbolize the culture of Nigeria.[37]
2015–present: The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation, Odysseus and Garba[]
Jesse Jagz signed a new record deal with Chocolate City in 2015.[39][40] He produced several tracks on the label's 2015 compilation album The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation (TICBN). The album's release celebrated the merger of Loopy Music and Chocolate City as well as his return.[41] TICBN was released to the general public two weeks following its exclusive release on Star Music.[41] It included the singles "Summer Time" and "Suite 99".[41] In December 2016, Jesse Jagz performed with Femi Kuti and Niniola at a live music concert held at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja.[42]
In 2017, Jesse Jagz announced his departure from Chocolate City for the second time. He told The Punch newspaper that he left in order to have more creative control over his music.[43] In June 2017, Jesse Jagz unveiled the cover art for his new studio album Odysseus on his Instagram profile.[44] The cover features a picture of his mother as a child, sitting with Jan Boer's three biological children.[45][46] The photo was taken in the grounds of Boer's idyllic Jos home.[45] Jesse Jagz had originally began production on Odysseus in August 2014, and the album was initially scheduled for release in 2015 but was delayed multiple times.[47] Its title was inspired by the Greek king Odysseus.[47] Jesse Jagz performed tracks from the album to select listeners at an Industry Nite event held in June 2017 at Spice Route in Victoria Island, Lagos.[48]
Odysseus was released on 8 September 2017.[49] It features collaborations with Hotyce, Styl-Plus, Cynthia Morgan, Melon and Burna Boy.[47] Prior to releasing the album, Jesse Jagz released a number of singles in 2017, including "Midnight Vibes" and "New World".[50] "Best in You" was released as a pre-released single.[46] Odysseus draws influences from Caribbean sounds, supporting the dancehall identity that Jesse Jagz embraced on his second studio album Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come (2013).[51] Although built on a predominantly hip-hop foundation, some of the tracks on Odysseus are infused with Caribbean rhythm and patois-laced rap.[46]
On 29 May 2020, Jesse Jagz released Garba, a 5-track extended play named after his traditional surname. He produced it with assistance from Geekbeatz and Misty. The EP is a mixture of Afropop, trap music, hip-hop and folk music; it features collaborations with Anchorman and Mr Murph.[52] Motolani Alake of Pulse Nigeria awarded Garba a rating of 6.8 out of 10, praising its production and saying it "beautifully sells Jagz's tales with natural honesty and storytelling".[53] Conversely, Alake criticized Jesse Jagz for letting the EP be about "lyrical brilliance and storytelling" rather than "an out-of-body sonic experience".[53]
Artistry[]
Jesse Jagz primarily makes hip-hop and reggae, but incorporates elements of other genres into his music. His music utilizes various kinds of instrumentation, auto-tune and echo.[3]
Personal life[]
Jesse Jagz is the younger brother of recording artist and producer M.I Abaga.[54] He has a daughter with singer Ruby Gyang.[55] In July 2020, he married his girlfriend Tolu. The wedding was a private ceremony held in Jos, Plateau state.[56][57]
Discography[]
Studio albums and EPs[]
- Jag of All Tradez (2010)
- Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come (2013)
- Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company (2014)
- Odysseus (2017)
- Garba (EP) (2020)
Compilation albums[]
- The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation (with Chocolate City) (2015)
Songs produced by Jesse Jagz[]
Artist(s) | Year | Album | Songs | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ice Prince | 2010 | Everybody Loves Ice Prince | [58] | |
2011 | ||||
Brymo | 2012 | The Son of a Kapenta |
|
[59] |
Jesse Jagz | 2013 | Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come |
|
[60] |
Jesse Jagz | 2014 | Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company | ||
Various | 2015 | The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation |
|
[41] |
Jesse Jagz | 2017 | Odysseus | .[47] |
Awards and nominations[]
Year | Recipient | Award | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Himself | Next Rated | Nominated | [61] |
2011 | Producer of the Year for "Oleku" and "Jargo" | Nominated | [62] | |
2012 | Producer of the Year for Everybody Loves Ice Prince | Nominated | [63] | |
2014 | Lyricist on the Roll for "God on the Mic" | Won | [64] | |
"Bad Girl" (featuring Wizkid) | Best Reggae/Dancehall Single | Nominated | [23] | |
Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come | Best Rap Album | Nominated | ||
2016 | Best Reggae/Dancehall Single | "Body Hot" (Praiz featuring Jesse Jagz and Stonebwoy) | Nominated | [65] |
"Jagga Love" | Nominated | |||
Year | Recipient | Award | Result | Ref |
2010 | Himself | Best New Act of the Year | Won | [66] |
Best Rap Act of the Year | Nominated | [67] | ||
2012 | Best Music Producer of the Year | Nominated | [68] | |
2013 | Best Rap Act of the Year | Nominated | [69] | |
2014 | Jagz Nation, Vol.1. Thy Nation Come | Best Album of the Year | Nominated | [24] |
2010 | Himself | Music Producer of the Year | Won | [70] |
2014 | (featuring Wizkid) | Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall | Nominated | [71] |
Notes[]
References[]
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- ^ a b Bisi (3 September 2015). "Jesse Jagz Has Not Been To Church in Eight Years!". The Herald. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d Melissa Ursula; Dawn Goldsmith. Fonseca, Anthony (ed.). Hip Hop around the World: An Encyclopedia [2 volumes] (Illustrated ed.). ABC CLIO. pp. 377–78. ISBN 0313357595. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ a b SK Johnson (12 August 2013). "The Future Awards Africa Winners Spotlight: Jesse Jagz (Producer of the year, 2010)". YNaija. Archived from the original on 23 October 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Rapper's exit from Choc City was a business move". Pulse Nigeria. 16 July 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ a b Motolani Alake (21 April 2020). "The enigma of Jesse Jagz's 18-track debut album, 'Jag of All Tradez' [10th Year Anniversary Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ Victor Okpala (19 September 2017). "Jesse Jagz: The Greatest Rapper or a Struggling Dancehall Artiste?". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 30 August 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ a b Toks (29 December 2016). "Jag of All Tradez Album Review". Keeps Magazine. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ Will Whitney (14 September 2010). "Video: Brother's M.I. and Jesse Jagz Taking Over Hip Hop in Nigeria". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Why I can't fight Chocolate City—Jesse Jagz". The Nation. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Jesse Jagz – Jag of All Tradez …Naija Listening E.A.R. (Essential Album Rating)". 360nobs. 5 August 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ Adeyinka Yusuff (12 July 2010). "BNM Critique: Jesse Jagz's "Jag of All Tradez"". BellaNaija. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ Charles Mgbolu (21 March 2013). "Jesse Jagz leaves Choc City". Vanguard. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Moment of Truth! Why Jesse Jagz Left Chocolate City". Pulse Nigeria. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ a b Ovie O (28 March 2013). "Chocolate City PR Statement on the Jesse Jagz Issue". NotJustOk. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
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- ^ "Jagz Nation - Thy Nation Come, Vol. 1 by Jesse Jagz". Apple Music. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
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- ^ a b "I'm not at war with MI – Jesse Jagz". Punch Nigeria. Archived from the original on 8 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
- ^ "Jesse Jagz holds free concert, 24 August to mark new album, "Jagznation Vol1.: thy Nation Come"". Ameyaw Debrah. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
- ^ "Updates". Jesse Jagz. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
- ^ a b Tyler (30 September 2014). "The Headies 2014 – Nominees List". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ a b Micheal Abimboye (31 May 2014). "Pop duo, Skuki, reject Nigerian Entertainment Awards nomination". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Jesse Jagz 'Redemption'". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
- ^ "New Video: Jesse Jagz – Redemption". Bellanaija. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
- ^ "VIDEO: Jesse Jagz – Bad Girl ft. Wizkid". 360nobs. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
- ^ "VIDEO: Jesse Jagz ft Femi Kuti – 3rd World War". Notjustok. Archived from the original on 15 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
- ^ "Audio + Video: Jesse Jagz ft. Femi Kuti – 3rd World War". 36NG. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
- ^ "VIDEO: Jesse Jagz – Sex & Scotch". NotjustOk. 19 January 2014. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ "New Jagz Nation video". MTV Base. 24 January 2014. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ^ "The Royal Niger Company by Jesse Jagz". Apple Music. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ "The Miseducation of Jesse Jagz - "Jagz Nation Vol 2: The Royal Niger Company"". Fuse.com.ng. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ a b Segun Pryme. "Album Download: Jesse Jagz – Jagz Nation Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company". Infonubia.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ Opeoluwani, Akintayo (25 March 2014). "Jesse Jagz To Drop New Album, 'The Transfiguration of Jesse Jagz'". Daily Times of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ Wemimo, Esho (17 June 2014). "Gear Up For The Jesse Jagz Experience 2014". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 11 July 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ^ a b c "Jagz Nation Vol.2: The Royal Niger Company". YouTube. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "Jesse Jagz official album art for Jagz Nation Vol.2: Royal Niger Company". Jaguda. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ Showemimo, Dayo (8 April 2015). "3 years after exit, Jesse Jagz returns to Chocolate City". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- ^ "Rapper returns to Chocolate City". Pulse Nigeria. 30 March 2015. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d Jonathan (30 April 2015). "Label releases new album 'The Indestructible Choc Boi Nation'". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ Chuks Nwanne (10 December 2016). "When Femi Kuti, Jesse Jagz, others got Abuja rocking". Guardian Life. Archived from the original on 17 December 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
- ^ "Why I left Chocolate City – Jesse Jagz". The Punch. 16 July 2017. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- ^ "Jesse Jagz finally set to release Much Awaited Album "Odysseus" - Unveils Album Art". Bella Naija. 7 June 2017. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
- ^ a b Eromo Egbejule (16 February 2018). "Nigeria's musical legends of J-Town". The Africa Report. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
- ^ a b c Debola Abimbolu (11 September 2017). "Essentials: The Epic Odyssey to Jesse Jagz's 'Odysseus' album". Native Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d Ehis Combs (7 November 2017). ""Odysseus" isn't the glorious homecoming Jesse Jagz had promised". Filter Free Nigeria. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- ^ "Jesse Jagz 'Odysseus' Album Performance to Selected Listeners at Industry Nite – Pulse TV". Roots Afrikiko. 9 October 2018. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
- ^ "Odysseus by Jesse Jagz". Apple Music. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ "Rapper releases fourth studio album "Odysseus"". Pulse Nigeria. 6 June 2017. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
- ^ Victor Okpala (11 September 2017). "Jesse Jagz Releases the Odysseus Album". Nigeria Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
- ^ Alake, Motolani (29 May 2020). "Jesse Jagz releases 5-track EP, 'Garba'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ a b Alake, Motolani (29 May 2020). "On 'Garba,' Jesse Jagz offers us a part of himself on his own terms [EP Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ Tofarati Ige (3 March 2019). "I don't listen to other people's music –Jesse Jagz". The Punch. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Jesse Jagz seriously involved in bringing up our child –Ruby Gyang". The Punch. 3 June 2018. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Check out photos from rapper Jesse Jagz's wedding ceremony". Pulse Nigeria. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- ^ BellaNaija.com (5 September 2020). "Jesse Jagz is Married