Professor Jay, is a Tanzanian hip hop artist.
He is one of the prominent representants of the "Bongo Flava" Tanzanian
hip hop subgenre, which mixes elements from both Western hip hop and
the Tanzanian tradition (including swahili lyrics as well as an activist attitude towards Tanzanian social issues such as HIV/AIDS, wealth, inequality, and political corruption).
He started rapping in 1994 as a member of the group Hard Blasters, best known for their hit "Chemsha Bongo" (then he used stage name Nigga J) from their first album, "Funga Kazi". Only one year later, they won the title of best hip-hop group in Tanzania.
During
his solo career which he started in 2001, he has released number of
hits, including "Nikusaidiaje" and "Zali la Mentali (feat Juma Nature)". Other songs released by Professor Jay include "Piga Makofi" and "Yataka Moyo". Just like Mr. II, he is a pioneering Tanzanian MC, who have remained some of the most popular hip hop musicians in Tanzania,
despite influx of many new bidders. Also similar to Mr. II his lyrics
often have political messages. In one of his songs he imitates an elder
politician and ridicules the fake promises they all mindlessly spew as
they are trying to get elected. The song continues with a chorus saying
the words "Ndio Mzee" which means "Yes Elder". This represents the brain
washing of the public as politicians make these false promises over and
over. It is interesting to note however, that after this song was
produced, the president of Tanzania referenced the lyrics in one of his
speeches, which acknowledged the presence of Bongo Flava and the success
of Professor Jay's political lyrics.
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