Following the backlash and outrage that followed Nigerian – American musician Jidenna’s recent interview with Vlad TV about ‘hiring commandos and AK 47 guns’ when he came to bury his father in Nigeria because he was afraid of kidnappers attracted to his light skin, we at The Herald decided to share some previously unknown facts about the ‘Classic Man.’
1. Jidenna was born Jidenna Theodore Mobisson to an American mother, Tama Mobisson, an accountant, and a father of Igbo Nigerian heritage, Oliver Mobisson, on April 5, 1985 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, USA.
2. His father Oliver was the first person in Black African history to design, build and produce indigenous personal computers. He was also a founding Professor of the Anambra State University of Technology (now the Enugu State University of Science & Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Akwa Ibom State University of Technology).
3. He is the youngest of four siblings.
4. He founded a rap group while still in high school (secondary school) this was where he learnt the necessary skills to become a musician.
5. Currently signed to Janelle Monáe’s Wondaland Records, he recorded an EP titled The Eephus with his label mates Roman GianArthur and Janelle Monáe.
6. His first single Classic Man was released early this year and it has become a massive hit all around the world.
7. He rarely speaks about his Nigerian side, and when he did recently, he referred to Nigeria as a country where one may be kidnapped because of his light skin.