Jimw@t
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" Wathigo Mburu, (born 21 May 1985), better known by his stage name
Jimwat, (stylized Jimw@t; a.k.a.
Jimwizzy), is a Kenyan genge
rapper.
, Nairobi
, Kenya
and went to Musa Gitau Primary School and Chinga High School, Nyeri
. After his O levels he took a computer course and later studied graphic design. He started rapping while he was in Class 7.
, Jimwat went to Calif Records
and recorded his first song, Sema Nami Sweetie (Sheng
for Say It with Me Sweetie). It was not released until he completed his O levels. On clearing high school, Jimwat released it and he was shocked to hear it on 98.4 Capital FM
a few days after its release. Later, other stations followed suit. The same year, he was featured by Rhaptaz, (a group composed of Gabu of P-Unit
) in Paulina which became a club hit and was used in the Close-Up Dance-o-Mania competition. He also did videos for the songs that same year. Later on, he was featured in the song Adila by Pararo and Riziki. He was also featured in Jua Cali
’s Kwa Album Yangu (Sheng
for In My Album) and Wanakimbia (Kiswahili for They're Running), which are in Juacalisekta, a mini album by Jua Cali. He then went on to pursue a solo career. In the same year, he released his most popular single
to date, Under 18, in which he featured Meg C.
Other songs he has worked on are Mpaka Che with Pilipili
, Tunakatika (Sheng
for We're Dancing) with Wambo-E and Chakula Kinywaji (Kiswahili for Food Drink) with Jua Cali
, which was featured in his album Ngeli ya Genge. Jua Cali's single, Sitoi Kitu Kidogo, also featuring Jimwat, addresses the issue of corruption in Kenya
and was included in the National Anti-Corruption Steering Campaign in 2008.
In 2009, He was involved in a UN peace campaign where he collaborated in a peace song with artists Jua Cali, Mejja, Nyota Ndogo
, Mr Lenny among other top artists in Kenya. He also worked on an anti-corruption song, Simama, (Kiswahili for Stand Up) with top Kenya artists. He later released a mellow jam, Fall in Love. His latest release, entitled Fan Wangu (Sheng
for My Fan), is a dedication to his loyal fans.
Jimwat is set to release an album entitled Genge Nijenge! (Kiswahili for Build Me Genge!).
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Jimwat, (stylized Jimw@t; a.k.a.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Jimwizzy), is a Kenyan genge
Genge
Genge music, or simply Genge, is a genre of hip hop music that had its beginnings in Nairobi, Kenya. The name was coined by Clemo and popularized by Kenyan rappers Jua Cali and Nonini who started off at Calif Records. It is a style that incorporates hip hop, dancehall and traditional African music...
rapper.
Personal life
The name Jimw@t is coined from his names, James (Jim) Wathigo (wat). He was brought up in KabeteKabete
Kabete is a town just outside Nairobi borders in the Central Province of Kenya. Administratively, Kabete is a location in the Kikuyu division of the Kiambu District. Kabete is also name for one of the five constituencies in the Kiambu district....
, Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
and went to Musa Gitau Primary School and Chinga High School, Nyeri
Nyeri
Nyeri is a town in situated in the Central Highlands of Kenya Kenya, which was the administrative headquarters of the country's former Central Province...
. After his O levels he took a computer course and later studied graphic design. He started rapping while he was in Class 7.
Music career
While still in Form 4Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
KCSE stands for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, which is taken at the completion of Secondary Education.The first KCSE exam was held in 1989 at the same time as the last Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education , which it replaced as the entrance requirement for Kenyan Universities.The...
, Jimwat went to Calif Records
Calif Records
Calif Records is a Kenyan record label based in Nairobi's California estate. Its known to be home to Genge, a genre of music popular with young people. It was founded in 2000 by record executive & producer Clement "Clemo" Rapudo together with his childhood friend Paul Nunda a.k.a. Juacali...
and recorded his first song, Sema Nami Sweetie (Sheng
Sheng
Sheng can refer to:* Sheng * Beijing opera#Sheng, the main role in Beijing opera* Sheng , a slang dialect of the Swahili language* Province , an administrative division of China, called sheng in Mandarin...
for Say It with Me Sweetie). It was not released until he completed his O levels. On clearing high school, Jimwat released it and he was shocked to hear it on 98.4 Capital FM
98.4 Capital FM
98.4 Capital FM is a Kenyan urban music radio station. Its offices are situated on the 19th floor of Lonrho House, along Standard Street in Nairobi's Central Business District. It is owned by Chris Kirubi.- Background :...
a few days after its release. Later, other stations followed suit. The same year, he was featured by Rhaptaz, (a group composed of Gabu of P-Unit
P-Unit
P-Unit is a Kenyan hip hop group consisting of rappers Frasha, Gabu and Bon-Eye.- Biography :The crew has released an album "Wagenge Hao" recorded at Decimal media by "Erik Musyoka" having 17 tracks most notably "Kare" , "Hapa Kule", "Una" with DNA, "Juu Tu Sana, "Kushoto Kulia" and "Si lazima"...
) in Paulina which became a club hit and was used in the Close-Up Dance-o-Mania competition. He also did videos for the songs that same year. Later on, he was featured in the song Adila by Pararo and Riziki. He was also featured in Jua Cali
Jua Cali
Paul Julius Nunda, better known by his stage name Jua Cali , is a Kenyan hip hop rapper. In 2000 together with producer Clemo they founded Calif Records where Jua Cali has stayed since. Jua Cali performs in Kiswahili and Sheng in a popular Kenyan style of rapping called genge.-Early life :Jua Cali...
’s Kwa Album Yangu (Sheng
Sheng
Sheng can refer to:* Sheng * Beijing opera#Sheng, the main role in Beijing opera* Sheng , a slang dialect of the Swahili language* Province , an administrative division of China, called sheng in Mandarin...
for In My Album) and Wanakimbia (Kiswahili for They're Running), which are in Juacalisekta, a mini album by Jua Cali. He then went on to pursue a solo career. In the same year, he released his most popular single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
to date, Under 18, in which he featured Meg C.
Other songs he has worked on are Mpaka Che with Pilipili
Pilipili
Peter Gatonye , known better for his stage name Pilipili is a musician/singer from Kenya. At the beginning of his career, he collaborated with another musician, Gun B. Their best known song was "Nampenda". He has also sang a song with Ratatat. The song was called Morale.He is an award winner in...
, Tunakatika (Sheng
Sheng
Sheng can refer to:* Sheng * Beijing opera#Sheng, the main role in Beijing opera* Sheng , a slang dialect of the Swahili language* Province , an administrative division of China, called sheng in Mandarin...
for We're Dancing) with Wambo-E and Chakula Kinywaji (Kiswahili for Food Drink) with Jua Cali
Jua Cali
Paul Julius Nunda, better known by his stage name Jua Cali , is a Kenyan hip hop rapper. In 2000 together with producer Clemo they founded Calif Records where Jua Cali has stayed since. Jua Cali performs in Kiswahili and Sheng in a popular Kenyan style of rapping called genge.-Early life :Jua Cali...
, which was featured in his album Ngeli ya Genge. Jua Cali's single, Sitoi Kitu Kidogo, also featuring Jimwat, addresses the issue of corruption in Kenya
Corruption in Kenya
Political corruption in the post-colonial government of Kenya has had a history which spans the era of the Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi's KANU governments to the Mwai Kibaki's NARC government. In the Corruption Perceptions Index 2005 Kenya is ranked 144th out of 159 countries for corruption...
and was included in the National Anti-Corruption Steering Campaign in 2008.
In 2009, He was involved in a UN peace campaign where he collaborated in a peace song with artists Jua Cali, Mejja, Nyota Ndogo
Nyota Ndogo
Nyota Ndogo is a musician from Kenya who performs taarab-influenced pop music.Ndogo is from the coastal city of Mombasa. She was a school drop-out who worked as a house maid. Her father Abdala Atib was a musician with a local band, but Nyota Ndogo did not take up musical career until being...
, Mr Lenny among other top artists in Kenya. He also worked on an anti-corruption song, Simama, (Kiswahili for Stand Up) with top Kenya artists. He later released a mellow jam, Fall in Love. His latest release, entitled Fan Wangu (Sheng
Sheng
Sheng can refer to:* Sheng * Beijing opera#Sheng, the main role in Beijing opera* Sheng , a slang dialect of the Swahili language* Province , an administrative division of China, called sheng in Mandarin...
for My Fan), is a dedication to his loyal fans.
Jimwat is set to release an album entitled Genge Nijenge! (Kiswahili for Build Me Genge!).
Awards
| Year | Nominated work | Event | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Under 18 | 2006 Chaguo La Teeniez Awards | Favourite New Artist | |
| 2007 Kisima Music Awards 2007 Kisima Music Awards The 2007 Kisima Music Awards took place at Marula Manor, Nairobi, Kenya on 8 September 2007.-Winners:-References:**The Standard, September 14, 2007:... |
N/A (4 Awards) |
External links
- Official Merchandise
- Calif Records
- Jimw@t on ReverbNation
- Jimw@t on FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
- Jimw@t on MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....