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Jidenna
Jidenna performing in 2015
Background information
Birth name	Jidenna Theodore Mobisson
Born	(1985-05-04) May 4, 1985 (age 39) Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, United States
Genres	Hip hop, R&B
Occupations	Rapper singer songwriter producer
Years active	2012–present
Labels	Wondaland Epic
Website	jidenna.com

Jidenna Theodore Mobisson (born May 4, 1985), known mononymously as Jidenna, is an American recording artist and record producer. In 2015, Jidenna released two singles, "Classic Man" and "Yoga", promoting Janelle Monáe's label Wondaland Records' compilation EP The Eephus with Epic Records. His debut album, The Chief was released on February 17, 2017.

Early life and education

Jidenna Theodore Mobisson was born on May 4, 1985 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin to Tama Mobisson, an accountant, and Oliver Mobisson, a Nigerian Igbo academic. Jidenna grew up partially in Nigeria, where his father was working as a professor of computer science at Enugu State University. The family moved back to the United States when Jidenna was 6 years old. In 1995, the family moved to Norwood, Massachusetts, and then to Milton, Massachusetts in 2000. In high school he became a co-founder of the rap group Black Spadez, and began producing, arranging and writing. Jidenna released his first album with Black Spadez as their final project at Milton Academy, where Jidenna graduated in 2003. Jidenna was accepted to Harvard University, but decided to attend Stanford University, where he began studying sound engineering but eventually switched his major to "ritualistic arts". In 2008, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, 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. Jidenna stated that his major influences include KRS-One and Big Daddy Kane.

Career

Jidenna is signed to Janelle Monáe's Wondaland Records label and distributed through Epic Records. He has collaborated with a number of artists that are signed to this label; including Roman GianArthur, St. Beauty, Deep Cotton and Janelle Monáe herself, and then began recording a five-song compilation of its label's first extended play (EP), titled The Eephus. In February 2015, Jidenna released his first official single, called "Classic Man" featuring GianArthur. The song has been played in heavy rotation throughout the United States and debuted at number 49 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. On March 31, 2015, the second single from the EP was released – "Yoga" by Janelle Monáe and Jidenna. His song "Classic Man" was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 58th Grammy Awards. In June of the same year, Jidenna performed the song with Monáe at the BET Awards. Jidenna also received an award for best new artist at the 2015 Soul Train Music Awards in November.

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.

On February 17, 2017, Jidenna released The Chief, his first studio album.

Musical influences

Jidenna says that his music is inspired by Nigerian music, specifically the Highlife music genre.

Personal life

Jidenna 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. 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." Jidenna currently resides in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Appearances in popular media

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. Jidenna guest starred on Insecure in the episodes "Thirsty as Fuck," and "Shady as Fuck," which aired in November 2016.

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

As lead artist

Videography

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Notes

1. "Long Live the Chief" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 10 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

References

1. ^ Brown, Harley (July 1, 2015). "Jidenna: The Classic Man With a (Semi-Secret) Plan". SPIN. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
2. http://www.rap-up.com/2016/08/23/jidenna-long-live-the-chief-listening-party/
3. Forgenie, Cacy (March 20, 2015). "A Star Is Found: Jidenna Mobisson: A "Classic Man"". Flavorpill. Flavorpill Media. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
4. 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."
5. Drake, David (March 1, 2015). "Bout to Blow: 10 Dope Songs You Should Be Hearing Everywhere Soon". Complex. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
6. ^ Murray, Nick. "'Classic Man' Singer Jidenna on How His Father's Death Inspired His Dandy Style: 'It Was My Way of Grieving'" 16 Jan 2016. Billboard Vol 128.1
7. "Janelle Monáe's Artist Jidenna Releases New Music Video 'Classic Man'". Necole Bithcie. February 23, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
8. DJ Vlad. "Jidenna Details His Choice to Wear Tailored Suits as a Rapper". YouTube. VladTV. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
9. Aswad, Jem (February 13, 2015). "Janelle Monáe Becomes a Mini-Mogul With Her Revamped Label". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2015. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
10. Diaz, Evelyn (February 21, 2015). "Janelle Monáe Appears in Classic Man by Jidenna". BET. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
11. "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.
12. Spanos, Brittany (June 28, 2016). "Hear Jidenna's Confident New Song 'Chief Don't Run'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
13. "Janelle Monáe: I Come in Peace, But I Mean Business". BET. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
14. "Classic Man feat Roman GianArthur". Soul Central Magazine. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
15. "Hot New Music! Jidenna - Classic Man". WJMN Jam'n 94.5. February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
16. Trust, Gary (March 23, 2015). "Chart Highlights: Madonna's Ghosttown Debuts on Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
17. Blistein, Jon (March 31, 2015). "Janelle Monae Flows Through New Song 'Yoga'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
18. "Grammy Nominations 2016: See the Full List of Nominees". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
19. Mitchell, Gail (November 29, 2015). "The Weeknd, 'Uptown Funk' and Jidenna Big Winners at 2015 Soul Train Awards". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
20. "The Door That Opens You: Why Whippa Wiley Brings You Magic, Fear and Fancy". Afropunk. November 10, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
21. Weiner, Natalie (September 11, 2015). "Jidenna Talks Classic Men and How He's Influenced by Nigerian Music". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
22. "Fashion Bomber of the Day: Jidenna from Brooklyn". Fashion Bomb Daily. The Fashion Bomb LLC. April 17, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
23. Coleman, C. Vernon (February 21, 2015). "Watch Jidenna and Roman GianArthur's 'Classic Man' Video". XXL Mag. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
24. "Marvel's Luke Cage Music - S1E5: "Just To Get A Rep" - TuneFind".
25. http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/issa-loses-momentum-stagnant-insecure-245087. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
26. http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jidenna-announces-release-date-for-debut-album-the-chief-news.28446.html
27. "Jidenna – Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
28. "Jidenna Album & Song Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
29. "Chart Search for Jidenna, Hot R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
30. "Jidenna - Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
31. "Jidenna". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
32. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
33. "Jidenna – Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
34. "Classic Man - Jidenna - Vevo". VEVO. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
35. "Yoga - Janelle Monáe & Jidenna - Vevo". VEVO. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
36. "Jidenna Trending singer releases 'Classic man' remix with Kendrick Lamar [video]". Pulse.com.gh. Joey Akan. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
37. "Long Live the Chief - Jidenna - Vevo". VEVO. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
38. "Knickers - Jidenna - Vevo". VEVO. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
39. "Little Bit More - Jidenna - Vevo". Retrieved July 3, 2016.
40. "Grammy Nominees 2016: The Full List". December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2015.

External links

• Official website

• African-American male singers
• Epic Records artists
• Living people
• Stanford University alumni
• 1985 births
• American people of Nigerian descent
• Milton Academy alumni
• Singers from Wisconsin
• People from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
• American rhythm and blues singers
• 21st-century American singers