Jimmy Jatt Amu | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Jimmy Jatt Amu |
Born | Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria | October 15, 1966
Genres | Afrobeats, Hip hop |
Instrument(s) | turntables |
Years active | 1984–present |
Website | djjimmyjatt |
Jimmy Jatt Amu (born October 15, 1966), professionally referred to by his stage name 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]
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]
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