Professor Jay
Encyclopedia
Joseph Haule popularly known as Professor Jay, is a Tanzania
n hip hop
artist. He is one of the prominent representants of the "Bongo Flava
" Tanzanian hip hop subgenre, which mixes elements from both Western hip hop and the Tanzanian tradition (including swahili
lyrics as well as an activist attitude towards Tanzanian social issues such as HIV
/AIDS, wealth, inequality, and political corruption).
During his solo career which he started in 2001, he has released number of hits, including "Nikusaidiaje" and "Zali la Mentali (feat Juma Nature
)". Other songs released by Professor Jay include "Piga Makofi" and "Yataka Moyo". Just like Mr. II
, he is a pioneering Tanzanian MC, who have remained some of the most popular hip hop musicians in Tanzania
, despite influx of many new bidders. Also similar to Mr. II his lyrics often have political messages. In one of his songs he imitates an elder politician and ridicules the fake promises they all mindlessly spew as they are trying to get elected. The song continues with a chorus saying the words "Ndio Mzee" which means "Yes Elder". This represents the brain washing of the public as politicians make these false promises over and over. It is interesting to note however, that after this song was produced, the president of Tanzania referenced the lyrics in one of his speeches, which acknowledged the presence of Bongo Flava and the success of Professor Jay's political lyrics.
His first album, "Machozi, Jasho na Damu," gained instant recognition for which Professor Jay won several awards. He attained other awards such as the best hip-hop album in Tanzania with his second album, "Mapinduzi halisi".
Professor Jay's songs include Nikusaidiaje (featuring Ferooz), Nimeamini (featuring Lady Jaydee
), Inatosha (featuring Sugu
), Vuta raha (featuring Ferooz), Border kwa border (featuring Nazizi
), Heka heka za star, Interlude, J.O.S.E.P.H., Nisamehe (featuring Banana), Wapi nimakosea, Una, Hakuna Noma, Jina Langu, Bongo Dar Es Salaam, Piga Makofi, Msinitenge, Sio Mzee, Zali la Mentali, Nidivyo Sivyo, Mtazamo (featuring Afande Sele and Solo Thang), Hapo Sawa. Professor Jay is featured on Nonini
's song "Kumekucha"
His former group Hard Blasters is set for a comeback in 2009. The new lineup will consist of Professor Jay, Big Willy and Fanani. They will release a new album
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
n hip hop
Tanzanian hip hop
The widest form of Tanzanian Hip-hop music is known as Bongo Flava. Bongo Flava encompasses a large variety of different sounds, but it is particularly known for heavy synth riffs and an incorporation of Tanzanian pop...
artist. He is one of the prominent representants of the "Bongo Flava
Bongo Flava
Bongo flava is a nickname for Tanzanian hip hop music. The genre developed in the 1990s, mainly as a derivative of American hip hop, with additional influences from reggae, R&B, afrobeat, dancehall, and traditional Tanzanian styles such as taarab and dansi, a combination that forms a unique style...
" Tanzanian hip hop subgenre, which mixes elements from both Western hip hop and the Tanzanian tradition (including swahili
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
lyrics as well as an activist attitude towards Tanzanian social issues such as HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
/AIDS, wealth, inequality, and political corruption).
Biography
He started rapping in 1994 as a member of the group Hard Blasters, best known for their hit "Chemsha Bongo" (then he used stage name Nigga J) from their first album, "Funga Kazi". Only one year later, they won the title of best hip-hop group in Tanzania.During his solo career which he started in 2001, he has released number of hits, including "Nikusaidiaje" and "Zali la Mentali (feat Juma Nature
Juma Nature
Juma Nature a.k.a Sir Nature is a Tanzanian hip hop artist and a singer. He is the founder and member of a Temeke group called Wanaume, an informal group of rappers from the poor side of Dar es Salaam...
)". Other songs released by Professor Jay include "Piga Makofi" and "Yataka Moyo". Just like Mr. II
Mr. II
Joseph Mbilinyi , known for his stage names Mr. II and Sugu and 2-proud, is one of the founders of the hip hop music scene in Tanzania. He was also elected to the Tanzanian Parliament in 2010....
, he is a pioneering Tanzanian MC, who have remained some of the most popular hip hop musicians in Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, despite influx of many new bidders. Also similar to Mr. II his lyrics often have political messages. In one of his songs he imitates an elder politician and ridicules the fake promises they all mindlessly spew as they are trying to get elected. The song continues with a chorus saying the words "Ndio Mzee" which means "Yes Elder". This represents the brain washing of the public as politicians make these false promises over and over. It is interesting to note however, that after this song was produced, the president of Tanzania referenced the lyrics in one of his speeches, which acknowledged the presence of Bongo Flava and the success of Professor Jay's political lyrics.
His first album, "Machozi, Jasho na Damu," gained instant recognition for which Professor Jay won several awards. He attained other awards such as the best hip-hop album in Tanzania with his second album, "Mapinduzi halisi".
Professor Jay's songs include Nikusaidiaje (featuring Ferooz), Nimeamini (featuring Lady Jaydee
Lady Jaydee
Judith Daines Wambura Mbibo, known as Lady Jaydee is an R&B/Hip-hop singer from Tanzania. She was voted Best Tanzanian Female R&B Artist in 2002, performed at the Kora All Africa Designers Competition, and was awarded "Best R&B Album" at the Tanzania Music Awards on August 6, 2004. In July 2005,...
), Inatosha (featuring Sugu
Mr. II
Joseph Mbilinyi , known for his stage names Mr. II and Sugu and 2-proud, is one of the founders of the hip hop music scene in Tanzania. He was also elected to the Tanzanian Parliament in 2010....
), Vuta raha (featuring Ferooz), Border kwa border (featuring Nazizi
Necessary Noize
-Origins and Original Members:It was originally composed of female MC/singer Nazizi Hirji, singer Kevin Wyre and rapper Bamzigi, though Bamzigi later left due to personal and label disputes. The group was formed in October 2000 and released their self-titled debut album in 2000 under Audio Vault...
), Heka heka za star, Interlude, J.O.S.E.P.H., Nisamehe (featuring Banana), Wapi nimakosea, Una, Hakuna Noma, Jina Langu, Bongo Dar Es Salaam, Piga Makofi, Msinitenge, Sio Mzee, Zali la Mentali, Nidivyo Sivyo, Mtazamo (featuring Afande Sele and Solo Thang), Hapo Sawa. Professor Jay is featured on Nonini
Nonini
Nonini , whose real name is Hubert Nakitare, is a Kenyan hip hop artist.- Biography :Nonini originally signed to Calif Records, but later joined Homeboyz Productions...
's song "Kumekucha"
His former group Hard Blasters is set for a comeback in 2009. The new lineup will consist of Professor Jay, Big Willy and Fanani. They will release a new album
Solo albums
- Machozi Jasho na Damu 2001
- Mapinduzi Halisi 2003
- J.O.S.E.P.H 2006
- Aluta Continua 2007
Won
- 2004 Tanzania Music AwardsTanzania Music AwardsTanzania Music Awards are national music awards held annually in Tanzania. It is also known as Kilimanjaro Music Awards or Kili Music Awards after its sponsor . The awards were established in 1999 by the National Arts Council under the Tanzanian Ministry of Education and Culture.- External links...
(Kilimanjaro Music Awards)- Best Hip Hop Album ("Mapinduzi Halisi") - 2006 Tanzania Music AwardsTanzania Music AwardsTanzania Music Awards are national music awards held annually in Tanzania. It is also known as Kilimanjaro Music Awards or Kili Music Awards after its sponsor . The awards were established in 1999 by the National Arts Council under the Tanzanian Ministry of Education and Culture.- External links...
- Best Song (Nikusaidiaje) - 2006 Kisima Music Awards2006 Kisima Music AwardsThe 2006 Kisima Music Awards were held in Nairobi, Kenya. They were the first of the awards to be broadcast across Africa on television, after the organisers partnered with South African satellite station Channel O, and was also the first to feature a "Social Responsibility" award category...
- Best Tanzanian Song (Nikusaidiaje) - 2007 Kisima Music Awards2007 Kisima Music AwardsThe 2007 Kisima Music Awards took place at Marula Manor, Nairobi, Kenya on 8 September 2007.-Winners:-References:**The Standard, September 14, 2007:...
- Best Ugandan Song (Sivyo Ndiviyo with ChameleoneChameleoneJoseph Mayanja known for his stage name Jose Chameleon, Joe Chameleon, Jose Chameleone, or just Chameleone is a ragga musician from Uganda. He mainly sings in Luganda, English and Swahili...
) - 2007 Pearl of Africa Music AwardsPearl of Africa Music AwardsPearl of Africa Music Awards are annual national music awards in Uganda. The awards were first held in 2003. Since 2006 there has also been categories for musicians from other East African countries ....
(PAM Awards) - Best Male Artist (Tanzania) - 2009 Tanzania Music AwardsTanzania Music AwardsTanzania Music Awards are national music awards held annually in Tanzania. It is also known as Kilimanjaro Music Awards or Kili Music Awards after its sponsor . The awards were established in 1999 by the National Arts Council under the Tanzanian Ministry of Education and Culture.- External links...
- Best Songwriter