“Bare-chested, a lean frame, a big spliff in hand, inhaled smoked pouring out of every orifice, young loyal girls worshipping his every utterance, and then the cult-like aura permeating the air…”
That description befits a legend, one who sowed the seeds of modern-day afrobeat, and who we still worship to this day: Fela Anikulakpo Kuti.
Now here’s the interesting part. That can also describe ex-Chocolate City musician and producer extraordinaire, Jesse Jagz. Always been one to cut a rebellious figure, ‘Jagga’ gives off the air of a man in tune with his inner ‘chi’, a deep-feeling, straight-thinking creative spirit whose quest for freedom is his life’s aim. So did Fela appear too. Fela was maladjusted, not content to fit in with the laws of the times and exist in a world of oppression and borrowed identity. The search for freedom was his hill to die on.
Wild And Free…Their Spirits Rebel
Jesse Jags cuts a similar character. His recent exit from chocolate city might have been mooted to be a case of the regular irreconcilable differences between an artiste and his record label, but we tend to let the deep-seated underlying causes zoom past our perception. Jagz’s spirit wanted freedom. Freedom of expression, not limited to musical expression, but in image perception, in core lifestyle habits, even in pedantic choices such as choice of a valued recreational drug. Marijuana, or codeine…perhaps.
His wild spirit craved adventure and recognition, and when it found less than that at Choc city, it had to break free. Fela was that way too. The great Kuti always called his shots. Changing his parental career choice of medicine to music, he defied his parents, his family and the times, all for expression of his spirit. Jesse Jagz and Fela both show the same strong-willed rebellious streak.
Substance Addiction…Food For Their Soul
They both love a good smoke of weed. Not only did Fela make weed seem trendy, his craving for it defined him. Without a big rolled up joint keeping him company inspiring him, and calming his talented nerves, the career mountains he climbed would have seemed too high for him to make the effort. In another life, I trust Fela would love to return to earth as a plant. Marijuana. Jesse Jagz plies similar line. He’s best, when he’s with a rolled up joint of something strong and soothing. His best promo photos always depict him making a spiritual connection with his weed.
A man and his love. A Jagz and his weed. One of the reasons Jagz had to take the walk from Choc city was because the label was in conflict with his unbridled love for weed. They feared for their image and public perception. Choc City never want to be branded Weed City. They also had a thing against Jesse promoting weed smoking in his music videos. But Jesse loves his smoky friend.His companion during the boring and tasking hours of creativity. His favourite pal during relaxation. His plant, friend, lover, assistant, confidant, motivator, and inspiration. No way he’ll give that up for Choc City.
Rebels…Through and Through!
The government of the day always had the larger-than-life shadow of Fela breathing compromising change and revolution down their necks. Fela was a discontented rebellious voice, who earned himself epic battles with the government. One of those had his mother thrown out a window and into certain death the military. But he still was unflinching. Jesse though is more hustler than maverick, he’s rebelled against Choc City’s interference in his expressions. So we know he’s got it in him. Maybe someday he might develop a thirst for politics and championing the cause of the down-trodden. Then we’ll see Jesse Jagz in his element. He has it, point him in the right direction and he’ll shoulder the cause!
Cult Following
Fela was a hero who attracted a motley crowd of worshippers. That worshipping multitude became loyal followers who had almost a religious craving for the man and his musical works. In that regard, Jesse Jags holds no candle. But his planned launching of his new imprint displays a plan to acquire a following akin to Fela’s. A culture of revolutionary ideals fuelled by the support of a million faithfuls. Jagznation, he calls them. And a grand plan it is. Any doubt in your hearts would be nipped if you pay attention to the lyrics and theme of his latest song, “Redemption”.
Man dem fi hear me out
Everytin moving fast dey are wear me out
Man puff spliff drink beer and stout
Man dem na fi wear me out
No fi wear me out
I swear Babylon demma fear me clout
Wanna know Jagga where about
Everything in da news you are hear about
Jesse Jagga air it out…
All the way to Calvary
Never fearing the opposing power he
Jah rastafari
Revolutionary soldier on the hourly
No home and no family
The whole world living in vanity
Jah rastafari
Until Babylon fall from calamity
That said…can the legend of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti, find second life in Jesse Jagz? That’s a question for another day, but until then let’s wait Until Babylon fall from calamity.
P.S: Just to give you a glimpse of Jesse’s update, here’s the tracklist of his feverishly anticipated album:
“JagzNation Vol 1: Thine Nation Come” with guest appearances from Wizkid, 9ice, Brymo, Lindsey, most songs on the album were sole produced.
- Intro
- Burning Bush
- Bed of Roses ft. James Mavrik
- Desire
- Where You At
- Mamacita
- Sex and Scouch
- God On The Mic
- International
- Steady Going
- Jargo ft. 9ice
- Pedal on The Floor
- Sativa (Skit)
- Sativa ft Lindsey
- After The Party ft. Brymo
- Redemption
- Bad Girl ft. Wizkid
- Selaisse
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