Jidenna
Jidenna Theodore Mobisson (born May 4, 1985), known mononymously as Jidenna, is a Nigerian-American rapper, singer and songwriter.[1] He signed with Janelle Monáe's record label Wondaland Arts Society, an imprint of Epic Records to release his debut single, "Classic Man" (featuring Roman GianArthur or Kendrick Lamar) in 2015. The song peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was followed up with the single "Yoga" (with Janelle Monáe) that same year. Both of which preceded the release of Wondaland's debut compilation project, The Eephus (2015).[2] Jidenna's debut studio album, The Chief (2017) peaked at number 38 on the Billboard 200.[3] His second album, 85 to Africa (2019) explored the afro fusion musical style.[4][5]
Jidenna
Jidenna Theodore Mobisson
May 4, 1985
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, U.S.
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
2015–present
- Fear & Fancy
- Wondaland
- Epic
"Classic Man" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance, while Jidenna won in four categories at the 2015 Soul Train Music Awards.
Early life and education[edit]
Jidenna Theodore Mobisson was born on May 4, 1985, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin,[6] [7][8] to Tama Mobisson, a White American accountant, and Oliver Mobisson, a Nigerian Igbo academic. Mobisson grew up partially in Nigeria, where his father was working as a professor of computer science at Enugu State University.[9] When Mobisson was six years old, the family moved back to the United States due to a failed kidnapping attempt.[9] In 1995, the family moved to Norwood, Massachusetts, and then to Milton in 2000.[10] His father died in 2010.[9]
In high school he became a co-founder of the rap group Black Spadez, and began producing, arranging and writing. Mobisson released his first album with Black Spadez as their final project at Milton Academy, where Mobisson graduated in 2003.[11] In 2008, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity from Stanford University,[12][13] 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.[14]
Style[edit]
Jidenna stated that his major influences include KRS-One and Big Daddy Kane,[28] as well as the Nigerian Highlife music genre.[29]
Over the years, the singer developed his personal style in college, where he learned about the power of fashion from his psychology professor Philip Zimbardo. However, he would not adopt his signature dandy style until the death of his father in 2010.[11] Jidenna describes his look as "heavily inspired by the Harlem Renaissance with hints of traditional West African design," and a "marriage of European and African aesthetics."[30] Jidenna currently resides in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.[31]
Appearances in popular media[edit]
In September 2016, Jidenna was featured in an episode of the Netflix original series Luke Cage. Season 1 episode 5, "Just to Get a Rep", opens with Jidenna performing "Long Live the Chief" at the fictitious Harlem's Paradise. He performed "Long Live the Chief" and "Little Bit More" with a full band on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah in October 2016.[32] Jidenna guest starred on Insecure in the episodes "Thirsty as Fuck," and "Shady as Fuck," which aired in November 2016.[33]
A chopped and screwed version of "Classic Man" featured in the Academy Award winning 2016 film Moonlight.