DJ Jimmy Jatt

Jimmy Jatt Amu
Background information
Birth nameOluwaforijimi Adewale Amu
Born (1966-10-15) October 15, 1966 (age 58)
Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria
GenresAfrobeats, Hip hop
Instrumentturntables
Years active1984–present
Websitedjjimmyjatt.com

Jimmy Jatt Amu (born Oluwaforijimi Adewale Amu on October 15, 1966), known professionally as DJ Jimmy Jatt, is a Nigerian disc jockey who is revered as one of the pioneering Afrobeats hip hop DJs in Nigeria.[1][2] He started out his music career as a rapper under the sobriquet Master J but delved into DJing after his failure in getting signed by a record label despite releasing a handful of songs including a demo recording.[3] He is best known for his Jimmy's Jump Off concert, an event he started in 2008 to become one of the most attended entertainment events in Nigeria.[4] In 2006, he won the Hip Hop World Hall of Fame award at the maiden edition of The Headies for his contribution to hip-hop in Nigeria.[5]

Early life and career

Jimmy Amu is a native of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, but he was born and bred in Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria where he had his basic and secondary education. Born to a father who was a sound equipment dealer, Jimmy Jatt developed interest in music at a tender age. He grew up listening to various genres of music including pop, afrojuju, highlife, afrobeat, jazz, hip-hop, rhythm and blues and soul.[6] He began his career as a rapper under the stage name Master J but had to switch into DJing after he failed to secure a record label contract upon releasing several songs and demos.[7] He soon became popular as a DJ for hosting a street carnival called "Road Block", an event which involved lyrical rap battles between upcoming and underground rappers.[8] In 2007, he released a mixtape titled The Definition, a compilation of songs which features several Nigerian artistes including Sound Sultan, 2Baba, Mode 9, Naeto C, 9ice, Ruggedman, eLDee, M.I among others. The mixtape included "Stylee", a song which features vocals from 2Baba, Mode 9 and ElaJoe and went on to be nominated in two categories at the 2007 edition of the Channel O Music Video Awards.[9][10] With a T.V programme called Jimmy's Jump Off, several collaborations, awards and nominations and endorsement deals; DJ Jimmy Jatt is highly recognised and revered for pushing hip-hop in Nigeria.[8]

Discography

Studio albums

  • The Definition (2007)
  • The Industry Vol 1 (2014)
  • Urban Heartbeat (2017)

References

  1. ^ "DJ Jimmy Jatt: The Evolution of an Icon". www.cp-africa.com. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  2. ^ Guardian music (8 August 2016). "Don Jazzy and the rise of Nigerian hip-hop". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  3. ^ Ogaga, Tony; Alonge, Ayo (12 November 2016). "My life at 50 –DJ Jimmy Jatt". The Sun News. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  4. ^ "Naija's biggest DJ event 'Jimmy's Jump off' comes to town". Vanguard Newspaper. 23 September 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  5. ^ Abumere, Princess Irede (5 April 2016). "The Headies: List of all the influencers in the award's Hall of Fame". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  6. ^ Badmus, Kayode (15 October 2015). "Legendary Disc Jockey, Jimmy Jatt is a year older today". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  7. ^ Njoku, Benjamin (16 January 2016). "My life as a DJ, a singer – DJ Jimmy Jatt". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  8. ^ a b Pulse Mix (29 April 2014). "Bio!: DJ Jimmy Jatt". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  9. ^ "Channel O Music Video Awards Nominees Announced". TVSA. 13 August 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  10. ^ Dommet, Jim (28 May 2015). "#ThrowBack: DJ Jimmy Jatt – "Stylee" ft. 2face, Mode 9 & ElaJoe". tooXclusive. Retrieved 19 March 2017.