Jabba Jaw is The Bilingual Student of The Culture

19th November 2022, I’m at the Alliance Francaise housed at Mike Adenuga Centre as a guest speaker at the first edition of the Hip Hop Conference 2022. Due to technical issues – a staffer with access to the lighting and audio room was on his way – the program started late. While we waited for this staffer, it was only normal to be restless. I went on to explore the compound and exchange pleasantries with conference attendees, other speakers, and the organisers. I returned to the hall to wait for staffer’s arrival, while Teck Zilla had finished setting up and began serenading the audience with hip-hop tunes and beats.

In less than 5 minutes, the stage had about 6 people who took turns to freestyle by passing the mic. This was the first time I saw and heard Jabba Jaw rapping. It sounded like a breath of fresh air as I consumed his game. The blend of Queen’s English and Ijinle (deep-rooted) Yoruba in his freestyle caught my attention and at that point, I was sold.

Adetola Babatunde Ajenifuja, born June 9 is one emcee I believe can go toe to toe with many emcees (veteran or not) lyrically and technique-wise. He studied lyrical emcees and created a unique style that always gets your attention regardless.

Here is the 27-year-old hip-hop artiste and student of hip-hop culture’s JJC interview.

Background

Born a Gemini, I was the only child of my parents, I pretty much grew up on my own but I had a few close friends. In the year I was born (1996), I’d say HipHop/Rap was at its best and my mom specifically told me Busta Rhymes‘s single, Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check, always got me jiggy since I was one year old. I grew up listening to different genres from hip-hop to R&B, soul music, Fuji, and whatever song was out there at the time.

Growing up, I faced the harsh realities of my environment – poverty, crime, and violence were constant companions. But amidst the chaos, I discovered the talent in me. My background played an essential role in the man I am today and the man I’m striving to become in the coming years.

Your First Encounter with Hip-Hop

My first encounter with hip-hop personally, will be getting hooked on Lil Wayne‘s lyrics on 6 Foot 7 Foot. His start-up verse was;

He went on and on with the rhymes so articulate in describing his personality. Painting pictures with lyrics was something he did so well. I listened to this joint over and over again and I eventually wrote my cover verse off of this instrumental. I went on to perform the verse at my school end-of-the-year party and it was a remarkable event I’ll always remember.

Writing Hip-Hop

I started writing lyrics during my senior secondary school days. I remember a classmate who usually beatbox with the table or whatever was at his disposal whenever we had free classes. Some students just sang and rapped the way they could then but I just knew it wasn’t done that way – coming from a background with vast music taste. I took it upon myself that if they could do that I could do better.

This was when the instinct of rapping or rhyming over a beat in my head started. I eventually got hooked on Lil Wayne‘s lyrics on 6 Foot 7 Foot and it was game on for me.

Hip-Hop Head to Emcee

Confidently, I started rapping my rhymes in 2013. There were many influences from international artists to local artists. I studied Wu-Tang, KRS One, black moon, Kendrick (Lamar), and about 80% of the MC’s whoever did it. I started mainly as a hardcore English rapper and over time, I acquired bilingual skills studying MCs like Da Grin, Reminisce, and Olamide, to name a few.

I always wowed the listeners whenever I dropped a rhyme.

Your Most Underrated Song/Verse

At the moment, all my songs are underrated. Trust Me.

Worst Song/Verse

Actually, none. I believe every joint I’ve created is a masterpiece. You just gotta be on the frequency to catch the tune.

Plans

I’d say my plans are; to keep developing my unique style; ⁠keep creating quality music; build my brand; grow my fan base; ⁠network and collaborate; promote my music; educate myself more; ⁠and of course, remain persistent and resilient