J Blessing

{{short description|Kenyan music video producer and cinematographer}} {{Multiple issues| {{BLP sources|date=August 2016}} {{autobiography|date=May 2018}} }} {{Infobox person | name = J Blessing | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Jibril Blessing | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|04|15|df=yes}} | birth_place = | death_date =  | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = Filmmaker, music video director, cinematographer | years_active = 2008-present | known_for = | notable_works = ''Churchill Show'' director, Link Video Global, Keep Pace Africa, Digitone Agency | website = {{URL|www.jblessing.com/}} }}

'''Jibril Blessing''' (born 15 April 1988),<ref name=birthday/> professionally known as '''J Blessing''' or '''jblessing''', is a Kenyan cinematographer and music video and television producer and director. He is the cinematographer and director of the TV comedy series ''The Churchill Show''.

==Early life and education== Blessing grew up in the suburbs of Komarock Phase 2, near Zone 3 and started out as a dancer.<ref name=PD>{{cite web |author=Elly Gitau |url=https://www.pd.co.ke/entertainment/meet-j-blessing-one-of-most-renowned-cinematographers-in-kenya-37122/ |title=Meet J. Blessing one of most renowned cinematographers in Kenya |website=PD Online |type=interview |date=19 May 2020 |access-date=30 July 2021 }}</ref> He studied at the Los Angeles Film School in California.<ref name=ownsite>[http://www.jblessing.com/ J Blessing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102123813/https://www.jblessing.com/ |date=2021-11-02 }}, retrieved 30 July 2021.</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2021}}

== Career == After working as a freelance video director and producer, Blessing founded Link Video Global, a production company based in Nairobi.<ref name=PD/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ghafla.co.ke/news/music/6517-meet-the-kenyan-production-company-that-will-be-doing-international-videos |title=Meet the Kenyan Production Company That Will Be Doing International Videos |publisher=Ghafla Kenya |url-status= }}{{dead link|date=September 2023}}</ref> He also owns Digitone Agency<ref>{{cite news |author=Elizabeth Ngigi |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/word-is/2020-09-14-j-blessings-firm-owes-me-sh400000-says-brendah-jons/ |title=J Blessing's firm owes me Sh400,000, says Brendah Jons |newspaper=The Star |date=14 September 2020 |access-date=30 July 2021 }}</ref> and is co-founder and CEO of Keep Pace Africa.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} Musicians and producers who credit him for starting their careers include Willy Paul<ref>{{cite web |author=Carole Ndanu |url=http://niaje.com/the-man-who-discovered-my-talent-willy-paul-celebrates-his-father-j-blessing/ |title='The Man Who Discovered My Talent' Willy Paul Celebrates His 'Father' J Blessing |website=Niaje |date=11 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821065147/http://niaje.com/the-man-who-discovered-my-talent-willy-paul-celebrates-his-father-j-blessing/ |archive-date=2016-08-21 }}</ref> and music video producer Young Wallace.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

Blessing is the longest-serving video producer on ''The Churchill Show''.<ref name=PD/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/life-and-style/buzz/jblessing-i-have-paid-my-dues-405624|access-date=20 July 2020|date=5 July 2020|orig-year=3 June 2017|title=JBLESSING: I have paid my dues|author=Josephine Mosongo|work=Daily Nation |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Rajab Zawadi |url=https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/chillax/why-j-blessing-has-yet-again-been-kicked-out-of-churchill-show |title=Why J Blessing has yet again been kicked out of 'Churchill Show' |newspaper=Nairobi News |date=3 December 2019 |access-date=30 July 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://mpasho.co.ke/lifestyle/2020-07-04-he-has-been-fired-so-many-timeshe-once-tried-sabotaging-the-show-zeddy-exposes-churchill-director-j-blessing/ |title='He has been fired so many times, he once tried sabotaging the show' Zeddy exposes Churchill director J Blessing |website=Mpasho |date=4 July 2020 |access-date=30 July 2021 }}</ref> {{As of|2019|12}} he was also developing new shows for the production company, Laugh Industry.<ref>{{cite web |author=Richard Kamau |url=https://nairobiwire.com/2019/12/churchill-j-blessing-not-sacked-working-on-new-shows.html |title=Churchill: J Blessing Not Sacked, Working on New Shows |website=Nairobi Wire |date=6 December 2019 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411070218/http://nairobiwire.com/2019/12/churchill-j-blessing-not-sacked-working-on-new-shows.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Personal life== Until 2017, Blessing was in a long-term relationship with Chantelle, with whom he had a son, who died young.<ref>{{cite web |author=Caren Nyota |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/word-is/2017-04-20-j-blessing-finally-breaks-his-silence-after-being-dumped-by-partner/ |title=J Blessing FINALLY breaks his silence after being dumped by partner |newspaper=The Star |date=20 April 2017 |access-date=30 July 2021 }}</ref> Since 2018, he has been rumored to be in a relationship with singer Avril and to have fathered a child by her,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/chillax/pregnant-avril-gets-sh3-5m-bmw-gift-secret-lover |title=Pregnant Avril gets Sh3.5m BMW gift from 'secret lover' |newspaper=Nairobi Nation |date=25 February 2018 |access-date=30 July 2021 }}</ref><ref name=birthday>{{cite news |author=Peris Wambugu |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/showbiz/2001409768/avril-celebrates-j-blessing-on-his-birthday |title=Avril celebrates J Blessing on his birthday |newspaper=The Standard |date=15 April 2021 |access-date=30 July 2021 }}</ref> but he introduced a different woman as his girlfriend in November 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ghafla.com/ke/j-blessing-introduces-beautiful-girlfriend-so-whos-avrils-baby-daddy/ |title=J Blessing introduces beautiful girlfriend. So who's Avril's baby daddy?|website=Ghafla |date=12 November 2018 }}</ref> He is the father of singer Laika's first child.<ref>{{cite news |author=Caren Nyota |url=https://www.tuko.co.ke/411139-j-blessings-baby-mama-laika-welcomes-child-mzungu-hubby.html |title=J Blessing's Baby Mama Laika Welcomes Child with Mzungu Hubby |website=Tuko |date=6 May 2021 |access-date=30 July 2021 }}</ref>

== Awards and nominations == {{BLP sources section|date=July 2021}} {{awards table}} |- | ? | ''Video Director of The Year'' | Mwafaka Awards | {{won}} |- | 2011 | ''Best Video Director'' | Groove Awards | {{won}} |- | 2011 | ''Best Video Director'' | Mwafaka Awards | {{won}} |- | 2012 | ''Best Video Director'' | Groove Awards | {{nom}} |- | 2013 | ''Best Video Director'' | Mwafaka Awards | {{won}}<ref name=second>{{cite web |url=https://www.ulizalinks.co.ke/j-blessing-wins-video-producer-year-2nd-time-row/ |title=J Blessing Wins Video Producer Of The Year For The 2nd Time In A Row |author=Link Press |website=Ulizalinks.co.ke |date=19 August 2014 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730235749/https://www.ulizalinks.co.ke/j-blessing-wins-video-producer-year-2nd-time-row/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | 2014 | ''Best Video Director'' | Mwafaka Awards | {{won}}<ref name=second/><ref name=Uganda>{{cite web |author=David Koech |url=http://nairobiwire.com/2014/04/j-blessing-nominated-viga-awards.html |title=J Blessing Nominated For Uganda's VIGA Awards |website=Nairobi Wite |date=30 April 2014}}</ref> |- | 2014 | ''Best Video Director'' | Uganda's VIGA Awards | {{nom}}<ref name=Uganda/> |}

==Videography== {{BLP unreferenced section|date=July 2021}} {| class="wikitable" ! Video:inspire ! Artist: nameles

|- | "Mpenzi" | Willy Paul |- | "Koffi Yo" | Master Piece ft Dk and Cabassa |- | "Beautiful People" | Eko Dyda |- | "Conquerer" | Joyce Omondi |- | "Sari Sari" | Dk Kwenye Beat featuring Antoneosol |- | "My City My Town" | Prezzo and Cannibal |- | "Prophesy" | Exodus |- | "Just a Way" | Kaberere and Mr Vee |- | "Msaidizi" | Gloria Muliro |- | "Pendo" | Guardian Angel |- | "We Be Happening" | All Stars |- | "Zongelela" | Soc |- | "Pokea Sifa" | Lady Bee |- | "Yaweh" | Denno ft Danco |- | "dace ya boss" | Koffi Olomide |- |"still standing" | Cindy Sanyu |- |"Tucheze" |Ferre Gola ft.Victoria Kimani |- |"Baraka zangu" | Rebecca Soki |- | "Hold Me" |Monique ft. Ketchup |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.jblessing.com/ Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102123813/https://www.jblessing.com/ |date=2021-11-02 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blessing, J}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Cinematographers Category:Kenyan filmmakers Category:Music video directors Category:Kenyan television producers