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Cultures-Solomon

Kirwan Hatigeva (JAHBOY)

  • Kirwan Hatigeva (JAHBOY)
© Jahboy
Musician, Song writer/composer
Principal country concerned : Column : Music
Solomon Islands

JAHBOY (Kirwan Hatigeva, 20 June 1992) is one of the best Solomon Islands artist that is making big waves in the Solomon Islands & the South Pacific. With mixed Melanesian and Polynesian blood and culture, he brings a new flavour to the South Pacific with his modern island music fused with elements of New Age Reggae, Pop, Hip-Hop & RnB. Each song he creates adds a new twist to his caliber of talent, which keeps pleasing his growing fan base.

Signed in 2011 to the independent record label/publishers, Rebelle Inc, in less than a year he recently won the two most coveted prizes in the Solomon music industry at 19 years of age: SIBC/Wantok FM's Solo Artist of the Year Award and People's Choice Award. Again he took out the same award for Solo Artist of the year in 2012. Only 3 songs were released throughout 2013 as JAHBOY has been focusing on his future second album and touring.

His recent debut 20 original song album called "Luv n Life", which was mastered by UMS, Universal Studios, USA, who said "Phenomenal job. Great sound. Great music!", achieved great success in the Solomons. The album's 20 songs was a statement to match his 20 years of age and focuses on songs of love and aspects of island life such as, family, loss, youth, government corruption, hope, ganja and is now available on iTunes and other internet stores whilst the CD with its 12 page personal booklet is available through Rebelle Inc, or in Australia through Tuff Tumas with free posting (www.facebook.com/tufftumas).

Hope for Tomorrow is the title for his EP album he released in 2011, which is only available in the Solomon Islands.

Also in 2011, he toured to Vanuatu to perform with their most successful export, Naio and to Australia, which is unheard of in the Solomon music scene for an up and coming artist to do so much so soon. Whilst in Australia he performed at the Cairns Reggaetown Music Festival, which have reggae legends like Third World, and other awesome acts like the Black Seeds, Tiki Taane, King Kapisi as well as later opening for the PNG Superstar, Oshen in Brisbane.

Although his first love is reggae, he loves experimenting with different genres, resulting in more collaborations with award winning local and international artists. In 2012 after completing his own debut album, he worked on another album "What's the Scenario" with Fortafy & ATP, two prominent figures in the Australian and New Zealand underground hip-hop music scene. Other famous artists included in this collaboration include the legendary Scribe and the ARIA award winner 360. Again he made Solomon Islands music history by shooting a video clip "I-Premier" with Scribe and Fortafy whilst on one of his two separate tours to Australia. His touring consisted of many reggae and hip-hop gigs, including performing at the famous Brisbane R&B nightclub, Magic City and at Brisbane's largest reggae event, Dub Day Afternoon, as well as performing in four other cities (Mackay, Townsville, Rockhampton and Cairns). 2013, involved touring in Australia and mostly within the Solomon Islands.

JAHBOY also featured in three separate albums in 2012, which were "King Solomon" by Dialekt (who sung in a video clip "Im in LA" with Cyprus Hill) & ATP from the NZ/Oz label Beatkamp, "Melanesia" by the artists Jagarizzar, J Lee & Yung Yanny from the Vanuatu/Oz label Tuff Tumas and "Le Compil Choc" from the New Caledonian label Mangrove.

2014 has started with a big bang, opening for reggae royalty, Julian Marley at Iumi Wan Festival. More video clips, touring and completing his second album is installed for 2014.

Like the title of his debut album, for someone so young doing so much with the fruits of his hard work and passion, the future is looking bright and he is simply, loving his life. From obscure solomon islands, his music is just being discovered internationally.

Partners

  • Alliance Française VANUATU
  • PACIFIC ARTS ALLIANCE
  • FURTHER ARTS

With the support of