Jidenna Theodore Mobisson as Jidenna, is an American recording artist and record producer. In 2015, Jidenna released two singles, “Classic Man” and “Yoga”, promoting Wondaland Records’ compilation EP The Eephus. His debut album, The Chief is set to be released on February 17, 2017.
Stargist.com presents you with a biography on Jidenna.
Read below;
Early Life
He was born on May 4, 1985 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsinto Tama Mobisson, an accountant, and Oliver Mobisson, a Nigerian Igbo academic. Jidenna grew up partially in Nigeria, where his father was working as a professor of computer science at Enugu State University. The family moved back to the United States when Jidenna was 6 years old. In 1995, the family moved to Norwood, Massachusetts, and then to Milton, Massachusetts in 2000. In high school he became a co-founder of the rap group Black Spadez, and began producing, arranging and writing. Jidenna released his first album with Black Spadez as their final project at Milton Academy, where Jidenna graduated in 2003. Jidenna was accepted to Harvard University, but decided to attend Stanford University, where he began studying sound engineering but eventually switched his major to “ritualistic arts”. In 2008, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he pursued his music career while working full-time as a teacher, moving between Los Angeles, Oakland, Brooklyn and Atlanta, before signing a deal with recording artist Janelle Monáe’s Wondaland Records.
Career
Jidenna says that his music is inspired by Nigerian music, specifically the Highlife music genre.
Jidenna is signed to Janelle Monáe’s Wondaland Records label and distributed through Epic Records. He has collaborated with a number of artists that are signed to this label; including Roman GianArthur, St. Beauty, Deep Cotton and Janelle Monáe herself, and then began recording a five-song compilation of its label’s first extended play (EP), titled The Eephus. In February 2015, Jidenna released his first official single, called “Classic Man” featuring GianArthur. The song has been played in heavy rotation throughout the United States and debuted at number 49 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. On March 31, 2015, the second single from the EP was released – “Yoga” by Janelle Monáe and Jidenna. His song “Classic Man” was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 58th Grammy Awards. In June of the same year, Jidenna performed the song with Monáe at the BET Awards. Jidenna also received an award for best new artist at the 2015 Soul Train Music Awards in November.
Jidenna is a founding member of Fear & Fancy, a social club that began in California in 2006. The society, reminiscent of the social aid and pleasure clubs of New Orleans, is an international collective of entrepreneurs, activists, educators, scientists, and artists who host soirees, dinner parties, and demonstrations.
Awards & Nominations
In 2015, he won Soul Train Music Awards for Best New Artist and his song ‘Classic Man’ featuring Roman GianArthur was nominated under the category of best song and video of the year simultaneously.
The song ‘Yoga’ featuring Janelle monae was also nominated under the category of Best Dance Performance.
His song ‘Classic Man’ feat Roman GianArthur was nominated as Best Rap/Song Collaboration at The 2016 Grammys.
Controversies
The rapper who shared his experience of burying his father years prior in an interview with VladTv in 2015 said, “Our family was light. Therefore when we go to our village… and when I actually buried my father, I had to bring a lot of AK47s. Because when you’re light skinned, you’re heavier target for being kidnapped. Because you’re seen as more valuable. For me being light skinned in Nigeria, in my family, it was difficult. It was always challenging. We were hounded. We were robbed.” However, his comments- specifically those related to his skin tone sparked a controversy on Twitter as this didn’t go down well with Nigerians.
Jidenna later apologized in an open letter to Nigerians that his words were misunderstood.
Endorsements
In 2016, Jidenna copped new deal with Epic Records, Sony Music West Africa and Sony Music South Africa for the launch and global distribution of “Long Live The Chief” album.
Marriage
Jidenna is currently unmarried but has reportedly dated sports broadcaster and basketball analyst Rosalyn Gold-Onwude.
The post Jidenna’s ‘Classic’ Life History appeared first on Nigerian Celebrity News + Latest Entertainment News.
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