Professor Jay
Bongo Flava · Hip Hop
Professor Jay, born Joseph Haule on 29 December 1975 in Dar es Salaam, is a Tanzanian rapper and one of the pioneers of Bongo Flava, the…
Biography
Professor Jay, born Joseph Haule on 29 December 1975 in Dar es Salaam, is a Tanzanian rapper and one of the pioneers of Bongo Flava, the Swahili hip hop sound that grew out of Tanzania in the 1990s.
He started rapping in 1989 with the group Hard Blasters, best known for “Chemsha Bongo”, and went solo in 2001. His debut album Machozi, Jasho na Damu won several awards, and Mapinduzi Halisi was named the best hip hop album in Tanzania. His songs, including “Nikusaidiaje”, “Zali la Mentali” with Juma Nature and “Ndio Mzee”, often mock politicians and their empty promises.
He later crossed into politics himself and served as the member of Parliament for the Mikumi constituency.
Latest Release
