Takun J

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Takun J
Background information
Birth nameJonathan Koffa
Born (1981-05-14) May 14, 1981 (age 42) [1][2]
Monrovia, Liberia
GenresHipco, hip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • activist
Years active2005–present
LabelsJazzo Entertainment
Websitetakunj.com

Jonathan Koffa (born May 14, 1981),[3] who is known professionally as Takun J, is a Liberian rapper, singer, songwriter and activist. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of hipco, a politically charged music genre.[4] The Liberian Gender Ministry designated him as one of its anti-rape ambassadors. Takun J's music addresses socio-political issues in Liberia. He is best known for the singles "Who Make You Cry", "Police Man", "Gbagba is Corruption", and "Song for Hawa".[5] Takun J's debut studio album, The Time, was released in 2007. His second studio album, My Way, was released in December 2012. Takun J is the recipient of several accolades, including Male Artist of the Year and Hipco Artist of the Year at the 2014 Liberia Music Awards.

Life and music career[edit]

Takun J was born on May 14, 1981, in Monrovia, Liberia. He grew up with his mother and three siblings. His father relocated to the United States when he was four years old.[3] While growing up in the country's capital, he played soccer and participated in dancing and talent show competitions. He became passionate about music and decided to pursue a professional career after graduating from high school. When he was 17 years old, he joined a musical group called Magnetic. Takun J released his debut single, "We'll Spay You", in 2005. His second single, titled "You Meaning Me", was released the following year.[6] Having lived through most of his country's 14-year civil conflict, he briefly relocated to refugee camps in Ghana and Ivory Coast with his family.[6]

He returned to Liberia and released his debut studio album, The Time, in 2007.[6] The album's lead single, "Police Man", is a politically charged song that exposes corruption by officers of the Liberian National Police and includes a plea to then-president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to repress corruption.[7] The song's release prompted two police arrests and a beating. Takun J was not deterred by the incident and managed to perform on the day of his release from jail.[6] In an interview with the Liberian Listener, Takun J said he released "Police Man" in order to create awareness about police negligence.[8]

Takun J performs at the annual two-day Hipco festival in Monrovia.[9] On July 27, 2012, he performed with Nasseman, David Mell, Nozi and Mr. Smith at the Lonestar Cell musical concert.[10] Takun J was one of the acts featured on the remix of Xpolay's critically acclaimed 2012 single "Pot Not Bolling", which was produced by Yor-EL Francis.[11] In the aforementioned interview with the Liberian Listener, Takun J said the song was well received because of its positive messages.[8] Takun J's second studio album My Way, which was released in December 2012, features high-BPM dance tracks, Liberian reggae music, and political rap songs.[4] The album was recorded at Studio 57 and Red Eyez studios; its production was handled by Stone Gray, AB Swaray, King Brian and Rawlo. The album features guest contributions from Nasseman, Santos, Soul Smiter, Bentman tha Don, Scientific, Marvalous, and Ice Princess. Takun J addresses his daily struggles on the record and said the songs on it are relatable.[8]

In February 2013, Takun J released the solemn track "Song for Hawa", which was produced by PCI-Media Impact and addresses violence against Liberian girls and women.[8] Takun J wrote the song after visiting a home sheltering victimized young girls. He told Mae Azango it narrates the story of a girl named Hawa, who was raped by her uncle following the death of her mother.[5] The music video for "Song for Hawa" premiered at the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Takun J has cited Tupac Shakur, Bob Marley and Akon as his key musical influences.[3] He is part of the Hipco Accountability Network, an organization that strengthens copyright laws and establishes minimum play laws in Liberia. The network includes several musical personalities, including Nasseman, JD Donzo, Shining Man, and JB of Soul Fresh, among others.[9][12] On December 7, 2013, Takun J performed at the second annual Liberia Music Festival, held at Slipway Sports Pitch.[13]

In March 2014, the Daily Observer newspaper reported that Takun J signed a two-year endorsement deal with Lonestar Cell. As part of the deal, he is expected to appear and perform on Lonestar Cell/MTN programs.[14][15] On March 15, 2014, Takun J performed at the Holiday Beach Jam in Congo Town, alongside J. Martins, R2Bees, Scientific, Cypha D’King, Sweetz and F.A.[16] He works with UNICEF as an ambassador of music.[9] In 2020, Takun J collaborated with DenG, Sundaygar Dearboy, Tan Tan, Soul Smiter, Odemz, and Amaze to produce the hipco song "Sanitize". The artists released the song in order to raise awareness about Covid-19 and encourage Liberians to practice good hygiene.[17]

Humanitarian work[edit]

Anti-child rape campaign[edit]

Takun J became an ambassador for the Liberian Gender Ministry's anti-rape campaign, and was responsible for highlighting rape issues in the country. In order to galvanize communities to take action against violence towards children, UNICEF and PCI-Media Impact organized a series of six concerts, which was part of an expansive campaign to halt the abuse and exploitation of children in Liberia. On June 14, 2014, Takun J headlined the first concert held in the capital of Grand Bassa County; the concert featured additional performances from Peaches, Nasseman and comedian Kpakala Kpokolo, as well as a moving video highlighting the issue of child rape.[18][19]

Anti-corruption campaign[edit]

On May 19, 2014, Takun J released "Gbagba is Corruption", a conscious song that is based on the children's book Gbagba (2013). The book was written by Robtel Neajai Pailey, a former doctoral student at SOAS, University of London. Pailey was inspired to write the book in order to give children the verbal tools to question the ethical and moral values of adults around them. The book received critical acclaim and has been adopted as an anti-corruption children's primer by the Liberian Ministry of Education.[20]

Physical altercation with Edwin Snowe[edit]

On June 17, 2013, Takun J had an encounter with Edwin Snowe after narrowly escaping a head-on collision with Snowe's vehicle. The incident between the two individuals occurred near the Mamba Point diplomatic community. Takun J said Snowe pulled him out of his car and punched him several times. Snowe confirmed the occurrence of the incident and admitted to punching Takun J. After the incident had died down, Takun J wrote a formal complaint to the House of Representatives of Liberia about the punches he received from Snowe.[21]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums

  • The Time (2007)
  • My Way (2012)

Singles (partial)

Year Title Album
2005 "We'll Spay You" (with Magnetic) Non-album single
2006 "You Meaning Me"
2007 "Police Man" The Time
"Who Made You Cry"
"Six Jue"
2013 "Song for Hawa" Non-album single
2014 "Gbagba is Corruption"

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Down in Africa"[22] 2012 Nasseman Redemption Time
"Pro Poor Agenda"[23] 2018 Bucky Raw Cs2
"Come Down"[24] 2021 Kpanto Sound from the Xtreetz
"White Man Say"[25] 2020 Eric Geso New Sound

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2014 Liberia Music Awards Artist of the Year Himself Nominated [26]
Male Artist of the Year Won [27]
Hipco Artist of the Year Won
Artist of the Year - Africa Nominated [26]
Video of the Year "Song for Hawa" Nominated
Video of the Year Africa Nominated
Liberian Entertainment Awards Best Artist Himself Nominated [28]
Best Hipco Artist Won [29]
2015 Honesty Oscars Best Activist Anthem "Gbagba is Corruption" Nominated [30]
Liberian Entertainment Awards Best Hipco Artist Himself Nominated [31]
Liberia Music Awards Hipco Artist of the Year Won [32]
2016 Hipco Song of the Year "They Lie" Won [33]
2019 Tunes Liberia Music Awards Legendary Awards Himself Won [34]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Takun J - About". A Together Liberia Project. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  2. ^ Sandy, Yewa (22 May 2014). "Takun J: B-Day Celebration Will Be "Different"". Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Browne, Raymond (20 June 2014). "UNICEF Ambassador,Takun J Rapper from Liberia is bitter that Liberian djs are not appreciating and promoting music from Liberian artistes". iGroove Radio. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  4. ^ a b Ashoka (31 March 2014). "'Hipco' is the Soundtrack of Monrovia's Post-War Youth". Vice. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Liberia: 'Song for Hawa' - Hip Co King Takun J Tackles Sex Abuse in Powerful Single". allAfrica.com. 22 March 2013. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d Hicks, Jonathan (4 April 2014). "A Liberian Rapper and a Singer Also Serve as Ambassadors". Bet.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  7. ^ "Liberia Recovers From War". Slate. 4 May 2007. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d "11 Questions: Takun J, Hipco Artist". Liberian Listener. 19 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  9. ^ a b c Glencorse, Blair (9 January 2014). "Hip Co Festival: How Liberia's music industry is building accountability". One. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  10. ^ "LoneStar Cell MTN Holds "Fantastic Week" Draw, Musical Concert". Heritage Newspaper. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  11. ^ Rahimian, Nora (9 January 2013). "Liberian street hit stirs the political pot". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  12. ^ "Battle hymns". The Economist. 14 January 2014. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  13. ^ "Ode to Hipco - Takun J. & Crew Set to Rock Second Annual Liberia Music Festival". Interactive Intelligence. 6 December 2013. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  14. ^ Genoway Jr., Edwin G (10 March 2014). "'Takun J', Lonestar Cell MTN sign agreement". The New Dawn. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  15. ^ "Takun J Inks 2-year Partnership Agreement with Mobile Operator". Daily Observer. 14 March 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  16. ^ Kamara, Makanfi (8 March 2014). "Lonestar Cell, Sound City to Host Holiday Beach Jam". Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  17. ^ "Liberian Hipco Stars Fight COVID-19 Through Music". Accountability Lab. May 13, 2020. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  18. ^ "Music for social change: UNICEF teams up with Liberian artists to protect children from violence". Unicef. 14 June 2014. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  19. ^ Dennis, Edwood N. "Takun-J Embarks On Rape Campaign". Daily Palava Hut. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  20. ^ "Liberian Hip-Co artist releases song for SOAS student's anti-corruption primer for children". SOAS, University of London. 22 May 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  21. ^ "Snowe Beats Up Takun J." en.africatime.com. The New Dawn. 19 June 2013. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  22. ^ Giamo, Christopher (24 June 2011). "Takun J – Hip-Co in Liberia". Together Liberia. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  23. ^ "Cs2 by Bucky Raw". iTunes. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  24. ^ "Sound From the Xtreetz by Kpanto". Apple Music. May 16, 2021. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  25. ^ "New Sound by Eric Geso". Apple Music. October 15, 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  26. ^ a b Sandy, Yewa (13 June 2014). "Liberian Music Awards: And The Nominees Are...!". Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  27. ^ "Takun J, Pot-Bilers, Herald Liberia Music Award Winners". Front Page Africa. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  28. ^ Sandy, Yewa (10 January 2014). "Multiple Liberian based artists nominated for 2014 Liberian Entertainment Awards". Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  29. ^ "Liberian Entertainment Award Winners!". Daily Observer. 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  30. ^ Walker, Emily (19 February 2015). "Honesty Oscars 2015: Best Activist Anthem". One. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  31. ^ King, Jefferson (20 February 2015). "Liberian Entertainment Awards 2015 Nominees". Bush Chicken. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  32. ^ "2nd Annual Liberian Music Award Review/Winners/Photos". LSV Magazine. July 5, 2015. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  33. ^ "2016 Liberia Music Awards Complete Winners List". Liberian Stars View. June 5, 2016. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  34. ^ "The Complete List of TunesLiberia Awards 2019 Winners". Liberian Stars Views. February 24, 2019. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2023.

External links[edit]

External videos
video icon Takun J speaking to Time magazine about Ebola
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