Jesswar

Jessica Koroi, known professionally as Jesswar, is a Fijian Australian rapper based in South East Queensland. She released her debut single "Savage" in 2017 and her debut EP Tropixx in 2021. In that year, she was also a winner at the Queensland Music Awards and the APRA Professional Development Awards.[1]

Jesswar
Born1994/1995 (age 27–28)
Canberra, Australia
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Labels

Early life

Born in Canberra, Jesswar grew up partly in Fiji and partly on the Gold Coast, Queensland. She left home at 16 years old,[2] studying music at TAFE Queensland, and later at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.[3] In 2012 she formed a four-piece pop rap band, Sneeky Picnic, with fellow students.[4]

Music career

With Sneeky Picnic, Jesswar performed at the Big Day Out festival in 2013 and 2014.[5] Jesswar also formed a duo with fellow Fijian rapper Lane-Harry in 2013, releasing an EP which reached the top 20 in the iTunes hip hop charts.[6][7]

Jesswar's first release as a solo artist was "Savage" in 2017. She also signed with Golden Era Records.[8][9] In 2018 she performed at St Jerome's Laneway Festival,[3] and was the opening act for Flo Rida.[10] By 2019, Jesswar had collaborated with artists including Tasha the Amazon, Okenyo, DZ Deathrays, and B Wise.[11]

In 2021, Jesswar signed a global deal with PIAS Recordings.[12] She also dropped her debut EP Tropixx,[2][13] including the singles "Medusa" and "Venom", the latter of which won in the hip hop/rap category at the 2021 Queensland Music Awards.[14] Later that year, Jesswar released a Rihanna-inspired collaboration with Texan rapper Erica Banks: "Bad Like Riri".[15]

Awards and nominations

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.[16]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Jesswar Best New Artist Won [17]

References
  1. "APRA reveals winners of 2021 Professional Development Awards". 24 June 2021.
  2. "Jesswar Is the Fijian Rap Rebel Who Wants You to Know Your Power". them. 12 May 2021.
  3. "Jesswar: "I can walk into any space anywhere and be proud of who I am"". NME. 8 March 2021.
  4. Butler, Nicole. "Big day out for Sneeky Picnic". news.griffith.edu.au.
  5. "Sneeky Picnic Make A Not So Sneaky Comeback | Music Is My Muse | Australian Music".
  6. "Jess a little hip-hop". 27 May 2014.
  7. Steps, Jim (21 August 2014). "Jesswar & Lane-Harry Luxury".
  8. "Introducing Jesswar and her tough-as-nails debut single/video clip - Savage". PILERATS.
  9. "Interview: Jesswar's "Savage" earns the aunties' seal of approval as the official music video drops today". 20 November 2017.
  10. "Jesswar announced as opener for Flo Rida's Aussie shows". 2 July 2018.
  11. "Premiere: Jesswar is on top of her game with HEATA feat. Tasha The Amazon". PILERATS.
  12. https://themusic.com.au/news/jesswar-inertia-music-pias-australia-global-signing/RaRdWVhbWl0/10-02-21/
  13. MTV News Staff. "Jesswar Transformed Her Anger At Being Overlooked Into 'Venom'". MTV News.
  14. "Here's the big winners from the 2021 Queensland Music Awards". 6 May 2021.
  15. Newstead, Al (14 October 2021). "First Play: Jesswar taps viral rapper Erica Banks for Rihanna-inspired 'BAD LIKE RIRI'". triple j.
  16. Barnes, Amelia (5 December 2011). "Rolling Stone Magazine Australia announces 3rd annual awards event". The AU Review. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  17. "Have Your Say in This Year's Rolling Stone Australia Reader's Choice Award". au.rollingstone.com. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
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