Jidenna

Jidenna

Jidenna performing in 2015
Background information
Birth name Jidenna Theodore Mobisson
Born (1985-05-04) May 4, 1985
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Genres Hip hop • R&B
Occupation(s)
  • rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Years active 2012-Present
Labels
Associated acts
Website jidenna.com

Jidenna Theodore Mobisson (born May 4, 1985), known professionally as Jidenna, is a Nigerian-American recording artist signed to Wondaland Records. In 2015, Jidenna released two singles, "Classic Man" and "Yoga", promoting the label's compilation EP The Eephus.[1]

Early life and education

Jidenna was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin[2][3] to Tama Mobisson, an accountant, and Oliver Mobisson, a Nigerian Igbo academic. Jidenna grew up partially in Nigeria, where his father was a professor of computer science at Enugu State University. Jidenna's name in the Igbo language means to "embrace the father."[4]

The family moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1995.[5] Jidenna graduated from Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts, in 2003. He founded a rap group while in high school when he began producing, arranging and writing. Jidenna attended Stanford University, first studying sound engineering but eventually switching his major to "ritualistic arts."[1] After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008, he pursued his music career full-time, moving between Los Angeles, Oakland, Brooklyn and Atlanta.[6]

Career

Jidenna is signed to Janelle Monáe's Wondaland Records label[7][8][9] and distributed through Epic Records. He has collaborated with numerous artists, including Roman GianArthur, St. Beauty, Deep Cotton and Janelle Monáe herself, recording a five-song compilation EP titled The Eephus.[10] In February 2015, he released his first single, "Classic Man",[11] featuring Roman GianArthur, another artist signed to Wondaland Records. The song has been played in heavy rotation throughout the United States[12] and debuted at number 49 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.[13] On March 31, 2015, the second single from the EP was released – "Yoga" by Janelle Monáe and Jidenna.[14] His song "Classic Man" was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 58th Grammy Awards.[15]

Jidenna is a founding member of Fear & Fancy, a social club that began in California in 2006. The society, reminiscent of the social aid and pleasure clubs of New Orleans, is an international collective of entrepreneurs, activists, educators, scientists, and artists who host soirees, dinner parties, and demonstrations.[16]

Personal life

Jidenna currently resides in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.[17]

Artistry

Jidenna stated that his major influences include KRS-One and Big Daddy Kane.[18]

Discography

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US
R&B/HH
Wondaland Presents:
The Eephus		 22 5

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[19]		 US
R&B/HH
[20]		 US
R&B
[21]		 US
R&B/HH
Airplay
[22]		 US
R&B
Digital
[23]		 US
Rhythmic
[24]
"Classic Man"
(featurng Roman GianArthur)		 2015 22 9 6 9 3 2 Wondaland Presents:
The Eephus (EP)
"Yoga"
(with Janelle Monáe)[14]		 79 31 11 30 11 —
"Long Live the Chief" — — — — — — TBA
"Knickers" — — — — — —
"Extraordinaire" — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result
2016[26] "Classic Man" (featuring Roman GianArthur) Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Nominated

Soul Train Music Awards

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result
2015 Himself Best New Artist Won
"Classic Man" (featuring Roman GianArthur) Song of the Year Nominated
Video of the Year Nominated
"Yoga" (with Janelle Monáe) Best Dance Performance Nominated

Videography

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Year Title Director Ref
2015 Classic Man (Remix) Featuring Kendrick Lamar N/A [27]
"Long Live the Chief" N/A
2016 "Knickers" N/A

References

  1. 1 2 Brown, Harley (July 1, 2015). "Jidenna: The Classic Man With a (Semi-Secret) Plan". SPIN. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  2. ↑ Forgenie, Cacy (March 20, 2015). "A Star Is Found: Jidenna Mobisson: A "Classic Man"". Flavorpill. Flavorpill Media. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  3. ↑ Amaya Mendizabal, "Tomorrow's Hits: Jidenna, Ashley Clark & Jasmine Thompson", Billboard, May 15, 2015: "Born in Wisconsin, and raised for a period in Nigeria, the nomadic singer has since resided in several stateside cites and is currently based in Brooklyn."
  4. ↑ Forgenie, Cacy (2015-03-05). "A Star Is Found: Jidenna Mobisson: A "Classic Man"". flavorpill. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  5. ↑ Drake, David (March 1, 2015). "Bout to Blow: 10 Dope Songs You Should Be Hearing Everywhere Soon". Complex. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Janelle Monáe's Artist Jidenna Releases New Music Video 'Classic Man'". Necole Bithcie. February 23, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  7. ↑ Aswad, Jem (February 13, 2015). "Janelle Monáe Becomes a Mini-Mogul With Her Revamped Label". Billboard. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  8. ↑ Diaz, Evelyn (21 February 2015). "Janelle Monáe Appears in Classic Man by Jidenna". BET. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  9. ↑ "iHeart Music Summit Invades Los Angeles, Great Music, Lots of Fun - It Could Be Habit Forming". All Access. January 23, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Janelle Monáe: I Come in Peace, But I Mean Business". BET. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Classic Man feat Roman GianArthur". Soul Central Magazine. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Hot New Music! Jidenna - Classic Man". WJMN Jam'n 94.5. February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  13. ↑ Trust, Gary (March 23, 2015). "Chart Highlights: Madonna's Ghosttown Debuts on Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  14. 1 2 Blistein, Jon (March 31, 2015). "Janelle Monae Flows Through New Song 'Yoga'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Grammy Nominations 2016: See the Full List of Nominees". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  16. ↑ "The Door That Opens You: Why Whippa Wiley Brings You Magic, Fear and Fancy". Afropunk. November 10, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  17. ↑ Coleman, C. Vernon (February 21, 2015). "Watch Jidenna and Roman GianArthur's 'Classic Man' Video". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  18. ↑ DJ Vlad. "Jidenna Details His Choice to Wear Tailored Suits as a Rapper". YouTube. VladTV. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  19. ↑ "Jidenna - Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Jidenna - Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop)". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  21. ↑ [http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0]=ts_chart_artistname%3AJidenna&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A1230&f[2]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Jidenna "Chart Search for Jidenna, Hot R&B Songs"]. Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  22. ↑ [http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0]=ts_chart_artistname%3AJidenna&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A364&f[2]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Jidenna "Chart Search for Jidenna, R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay"]. Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  23. ↑ [http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0]=ts_chart_artistname%3AJidenna&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A1229&f[2]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Jidenna "Chart Search for Jidenna, R&B Digital Songs"]. Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  24. ↑ [http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0]=ts_chart_artistname%3AJidenna&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A378&f[2]=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Jidenna&detail=1 "Chart Search for Jidenna, Rhythmic"]. Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  25. 1 2 http://www.riaa.com/?s=Jidenna
  26. ↑ "Grammy Nominees 2016: The Full List". 7 December 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  27. ↑ "Jidenna Trending singer releases 'Classic man' remix with Kendrick Lamar [video]". Pulse.com.gh. Joey Akan. Retrieved 22 February 2016.

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