LYRICALLY-SKILLED and talented hip-hop artist Jean-Michael Ripuree Tjirare is gearing up to release his latest album, due to drop on Friday, 29 September.
The album will feature collaborations with the likes of Exit, Tatted Ma and Neslow. Titled ‘Fine Margins’, the album is made up of 12 tracks by the 2014 Namibia Annual Music Awards Best Newcomer winner.
Jean-Michael, as he is know in hip-hop circles, was born in Regensburg, Germany and raised in Windhoek, Namibia. He is the eldest of three children and attended high school at Centaurus High School.
Known for is heartfelt, hard hitting lyrics, the rapper started the group Cabinet Reshuffle known for their smash single ‘Take Me Home’ before being recruited by Run Nams.
Here, he started working with fellow rappers like SouthWest and I-Sparks who he credits for introducing him to the live element of music.
Jean-Michael has been part of the opening acts of some great artists including Jimmy Dludlu at the Old Mutual Jazz Festival in 2011 as well as Hip-Hop Pantsula (HHP) at the Sprite Talent Show in 2012.
Run Nams was also nominated for three awards at the Namibian Annual Music Awards in 2010.
The rapper’s debut album ‘Rise and Shine’ was released in 2014 and earned him four nominations, of which he won ‘Best Newcomer’.
Fast forward to 2017 and he is back with an album that he promises to be worth the wait. “I rededicated myself again on this album. It’s much more professional than my previous works and it’s more of myself,” he told The Namibian.
On this latest project, Jean-Michael worked with Elemotho and Lize Ehlers, amongst others, and on the production side, he teamed up with Tsuutheni Emvula (better known as Becoming Phill) as well as KBoz.
‘Fine Margins’ is scheduled for release on 30 September at the Old Location Restaurant situated in Bach Street in Hochland Park . Tickets, including the CD are for sale at the venue. For more information, call 081 723 4161.
