Biography
Jidenna Theodore Mobisson (born May 4, 1985) is a famous Nigerian – American born singer, songwriter and rapper best recognized by his stage name, Jidenna. His name is a result of his father’s lineage traced to the Southeastern part of Nigeria.
He released his first debut single titled “Classic Man” in 2015, making him professionally known.
Early Life
Jidenna is a 37 years old man born to Tama Mobisson, an American mother who was an accountant and his father, Oliver Udemmadu Ogbonna Mobisson, a Nigerian and a professor.
He was born in the United States in Rapids, Wisconsin but was flown to Nigeria by his parent after a few weeks of his birth to experience his father’s land.
He spent his first 6years in Lagos, Nigeria, before they relocated back to the US due to the difficulties they had encountered in Nigeria.
They were abducted by some bandits in Nigeria who molested his eldest sister and also beat up their mother, leaving him with a gunshot on his foot.
After they were able to survive the incident, His Mom made up her mind to leave Nigeria. They left their father behind due to his job, but he was always in touch.
After they departed from Nigeria, the family relocated to Boston, and Jidenna was enrolled in a school. They relocated to Norwood, Massachusetts, in 1995 because he was abused and tortured in the former school cause of his skin color and accent. His mom registered him in a new school in Norwood.
He was a big fan of Michael Jackson while growing up. He loved Michael Jackson to the point of imitating his mode of dressing but this changes after he was approached by a girl in his school who told him that he wasn’t cool with what he was wearing and told him that Michael Jackson was obsolete and introduced him to some new and trending songs.
He again ignited the passion and ambition of becoming a rapper. Still, due to his family’s financial state, He had to focus on his studies more as it was an important legacy in his family.
After graduating high school, Jidenna became famous, becoming one of the best basketball players and team captains.
He started listening to some top US artists and being inspired by the likes of Mase, Biggie, Nas and Tupac. He formed a rap group which He tagged Black Spadez.
Education
He attended Milton Academy in Massachusetts for his primary and higher education.
After he graduated in 2003, He went further to study at Stanford University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Studies of Race and Ethics.
Career
Jidenna graduated and moved down to New York in 2008, taking up a teaching job in a Hip Hop academy. He continues with the job till early 2014.
He dropped the job and decided to pursue music as a full-time course working under his record label. He signed up in 2013, Janelle Monáe’s Wondaland Records label.
He began collaborating and featuring with some artists on Wondaland, including Janelle Monáe, Roman GianArthur, St. Beauty and Deep Cotton.
He ascended to prominence in 2015 after he released his short single titled Classic Man. The song earned him the 49th spot on the US Billboard and several awards, including Best New Artist at the 2015 Soul Train Music Awards.
He released his first debut album in 2017, titled “The Chief,” In 2019, Jidenna released an EP and tagged it, Boomerang.
In 2019, He released his second studio album, 85 to Africa.
Jidenna has worked with various renowned artists in the industry, including African artists.
Discography
• Classic Man
• Tribe
• Little Bit More
• 2Points
• Bambi
• Boomerang
• Yoga
• Long Live The Chief
• Chief Don’t Run
• Sufi Woman
• Worth The Weight
• Sou Sou
• The Let Out
• Zodi
• Feng Shui
• Famous
Personal Life
Jidenna grew up with his parent alongside his elder sister, Nneka Mobisson-Etuk, the Executive Director of African Operations, Institute for Health Care Investment. And his brother is named Geoff, a Harvard MBA.
They lost their father in 2010, who died from cancer disease.
Jidenna is reportedly in a relationship with a basketball analyst, Rosalyn Gold-Onwude. The two are said to have been in a relationship since 2016
Jidenna has chosen Nigeria as his second home and hasn’t forgotten or disregarded his love for Nigeria. He visits Nigeria very often.
Social Media
* Instagram @Jidenna
* Twitter @Jidenna
Net Worth
Jidenna is one of the rich folks in the music industry, owning an estimated net worth of US$1 million.