Jesswar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jesswar
Born1994/1995 (age 27–28)
Canberra, Australia
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Labels

Jessica Koroi, known professionally as Jesswar, is a Fijian Australian rapper based in South East Queensland. She released her debut single "Savage" in 2017 and her debut EP Tropixx in 2021. In that year, she was also a winner at the Queensland Music Awards and the APRA Professional Development Awards.[1]

Early life[]

Born in Canberra, Jesswar grew up partly in Fiji and partly on the Gold Coast, Queensland. She left home at 16 years old,[2] studying music at TAFE Queensland, and later at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.[3] In 2012 she formed a four-piece pop rap band, Sneeky Picnic, with fellow students.[4]

Music career[]

With Sneeky Picnic, Jesswar performed at the Big Day Out festival in 2013 and 2014.[5] Jesswar also formed a duo with fellow Fijian rapper Lane-Harry in 2013, releasing an EP which reached the top 20 in the iTunes hip hop charts.[6][7]

Jesswar's first release as a solo artist was "Savage" in 2017. She also signed with Golden Era Records.[8][9] In 2018 she performed at St Jerome's Laneway Festival,[3] and was the opening act for Flo Rida.[10] By 2019, Jesswar had collaborated with artists including Tasha the Amazon, Okenyo, DZ Deathrays, and B Wise.[11]

In 2021, Jesswar signed a global deal with PIAS Recordings.[12] She also dropped her debut EP Tropixx,[2][13] including the singles "Medusa" and "Venom", the latter of which won in the hip hop/rap category at the 2021 Queensland Music Awards.[14] Later that year, Jesswar released a Rihanna-inspired collaboration with Texan rapper Erica Banks: "Bad Like Riri".[15]

References[]

  1. ^ "APRA reveals winners of 2021 Professional Development Awards". 24 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Jesswar Is the Fijian Rap Rebel Who Wants You to Know Your Power". them. 12 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Jesswar: "I can walk into any space anywhere and be proud of who I am"". NME. 8 March 2021.
  4. ^ Butler, Nicole. "Big day out for Sneeky Picnic". news.griffith.edu.au.
  5. ^ "Sneeky Picnic Make A Not So Sneaky Comeback | Music Is My Muse | Australian Music".
  6. ^ "Jess a little hip-hop". 27 May 2014.
  7. ^ Steps, Jim (21 August 2014). "Jesswar & Lane-Harry Luxury".
  8. ^ "Introducing Jesswar and her tough-as-nails debut single/video clip - Savage". PILERATS.
  9. ^ "Interview: Jesswar's "Savage" earns the aunties' seal of approval as the official music video drops today". 20 November 2017.
  10. ^ "Jesswar announced as opener for Flo Rida's Aussie shows". 2 July 2018.
  11. ^ "Premiere: Jesswar is on top of her game with HEATA feat. Tasha The Amazon". PILERATS.
  12. ^ https://themusic.com.au/news/jesswar-inertia-music-pias-australia-global-signing/RaRdWVhbWl0/10-02-21/
  13. ^ MTV News Staff. "Jesswar Transformed Her Anger At Being Overlooked Into 'Venom'". MTV News.
  14. ^ "Here's the big winners from the 2021 Queensland Music Awards". 6 May 2021.
  15. ^ Newstead, Al (14 October 2021). "First Play: Jesswar taps viral rapper Erica Banks for Rihanna-inspired 'BAD LIKE RIRI'". triple j.
Retrieved from ""