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Jimwat
Background information
Birth nameJames Wathigo Mburu[1]
Born (1985-05-21) May 21, 1985 (age 39)
Nairobi, Kenya
OriginNairobi, Kenya
GenresKenyan hip hop, genge
Occupation(s)Rapper, record producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, keyboard, sampler
Years active2003–present
LabelsCalif Records
Websitewww.youtube.com/channel/UCA6BcDDqT14PUokn7v1soKA

James "Jim" Wathigo Mburu, (born May 21, 1985), better known by his stage names Jimwat (stylized Jimw@t) and Jimweezy, is a Kenyan genge rapper.

Personal life

The name Jimwat is coined from his names, James Wathigo. He was brought up in Kabete, Nairobi, Kenya and went to Musa Gitau Primary School and Kikuyu day secondary School, Thogoto. After his O levels he took a computer course and later studied graphic design. He started rapping while he was in|Class 7]].[1]

Music career

While still in Form 4, Jimwat went to Calif Records and recorded his first song, Sema Nami Sweetie (Sheng for talk to 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.[1] 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.[1]

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(Kiswahili for I am not bribing), also featuring Jimwat, addresses the issue of corruption in Kenya[2] 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,[3] (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!). Jimwat is working with artists such as Das Walanguzi , Jedidah and Pace Kenya among others as he betters his musical career. Jimwat took a hiatus from Music scene but got back as of 2019 he has new Genge #EduTainment Songs. He said the break from Music scene was necessary to work-on-his health & quiting Alcohol Addiction as from interviews he stated, "I have had a long battle with alcoholism but Thank God i quit and managed the hard part, recovery through rehab. It took a lot of effort, a lot of encouragement for me to accomplish this. Through my experience, I figured that a person cannot positively fight alcoholism and drug abuse on themselves, alcoholism is more of a sickness and the affected find getting higher the only option. Basically The Addiction And Recovery journey is a long journey but starts with making the First steps which is admitting you're powerless against the drug/substance you're addicted/hooked to & need help;i use my #AddictionAndRecovery story which has been a tough-journey aiming to help guys who feel they have alcohol or drug abuse related issue. I figured Alcoholism is downplayed but has and is still messing up a lot of our people especially the youth in higher learning institution and the jobless ones, since addiction halts a persons current/future growth. The aim of the initiative is have that social set up that will help us fight of drug abuse, help alcoholists heal through talks, seminars and awareness campaigns all over the country. Together with my team, we believe we can help heal this nation from alcoholism and the greater drug dependancy.

Awards

Year Nominated work Event Award Result
2006 Under 18 2006 Chaguo La Teeniez Awards Favourite New Artist Won
2007 Kisima Music Awards N/A (4 Awards) Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Jimwat's Biography". Ghafla!. Ghafla!Kenya. January 5, 2010. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  2. ^ "Jimwat outdoes himself". Daily Nation. August 9, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  3. ^ Simama Song. "Kenya Various Artists - Simama (Audio)". Bongo Exclusive. Archived from the original on December 30, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
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