Jesswar

{{Infobox musical artist | name = Jesswar | image = | caption = | image_size = | landscape =  | alt = | birth_name =  | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date |26 |2021|3|8}} | birth_place = Canberra, Australia | genre = Hip hop | occupation = Artist | instrument = | years_active = | label = {{flatlist| *Golden Era Records *PIAS Recordings }} | associated_acts = | website = }}

'''Jesswar''' is a Fijian Australian artist based on Yugambeh/Kombumerri country. Jesswar's debut single, "Savage", released in 2017 and was followed by debut EP ''Tropixx'' in 2021 and debut mixtape ''LIFE'S SHORT, LIVE BIG'' in 2022. In 2021, Jesswar was a winner at the Queensland Music Awards and the APRA Professional Development Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/apra-pda-winners-2021/|title=APRA reveals winners of 2021 Professional Development Awards|date=24 June 2021}}</ref>

==Early life== Born in Canberra, Jesswar grew up partly in Fiji and partly on the Gold Coast, Queensland. He left home at 16 years old,<ref name="them">{{Cite web|url=https://www.them.us/story/jesswar-fijian-rapper-tropixx-ep-interview|title=Jesswar Is the Fijian Rap Rebel Who Wants You to Know Your Power|date=12 May 2021|website=them.}}</ref> studying music at TAFE Queensland, and later at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.<ref name="nme">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/features/jesswar-tropixx-ep-interview-2021-2895621|title=Jesswar: "I can walk into any space anywhere and be proud of who I am"|website=NME|date=8 March 2021}}</ref> In 2012 Jesswar formed a four-piece pop rap band, Sneeky Picnic, with fellow students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.griffith.edu.au/2013/01/18/big-day-out-for-sneeky-picnic/|title=Big day out for Sneeky Picnic|first=Nicole|last=Butler|website=news.griffith.edu.au|date=18 January 2013 }}</ref>

==Music career== ===2017-present: ''TROPIXX'' & ''Life’s Short, Live Big''===

Jesswar's first release as a solo artist was "Savage" in 2017, though he later signed with Golden Era Records.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pilerats.com/music/rap/introducing-jesswar-and-her-tough-as-nails-debut-singlevideo-clip-savage/|title=Introducing Jesswar and her tough-as-nails debut single/video clip - Savage|website=PILERATS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theaureview.com/music/interview-jesswars-savage-earns-the-aunties-seal-of-approval-as-the-official-music-video-drops-today/|title=Interview: Jesswar's "Savage" earns the aunties' seal of approval as the official music video drops today|date=20 November 2017}}</ref> In 2018 Jesswar performed at St Jerome's Laneway Festival. By 2019, he had collaborated with artists including Tasha the Amazon, Okenyo, DZ Deathrays, and B Wise.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://pilerats.com/music/rap/premiere-jesswar-heata/|title=Premiere: Jesswar is on top of her game with HEATA feat. Tasha The Amazon|website=PILERATS}}</ref>

In 2021, Jesswar signed a global deal with PIAS Recordings and also released debut EP ''Tropixx''.<ref name="them"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/3174788/jesswar-tropixx-interview/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305140737/http://www.mtv.com/news/3174788/jesswar-tropixx-interview/|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 March 2021|title=Jesswar Transformed Her Anger At Being Overlooked Into 'Venom'|author=MTV News Staff|website=MTV News}}</ref> The EP the singles "Medusa" and "Venom", the latter of which won in the hip hop/rap category at the 2021 Queensland Music Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mixdownmag.com.au/news/heres-the-big-winners-from-the-2021-queensland-music-awards/|title=Here's the big winners from the 2021 Queensland Music Awards|date=6 May 2021}}</ref> Later that year, he released the lead single from his debut mixtape: a Rihanna-inspired collaboration with viral Texan rapper Erica Banks: "Bad Like Riri".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/jesswar-bad-like-riri-collab-erica-banks-rihanna-viral-tiktok/13586452|title=First Play: Jesswar taps viral rapper Erica Banks for Rihanna-inspired 'BAD LIKE RIRI'|first=Al|last=Newstead|date=14 October 2021|website=triple j}}</ref> The single gained significant traction and is trap-laced celebration of strong, unapologetic voices and the self-possessed mindset of a baddie. In September 2022, Jesswar released his debut mixtape, ''Life's Short, Live Big''.

== Personal life == Jesswar is a trans man and uses ''he/him'' pronouns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch: Jesswar - announcement|url= https://www.instagram.com/p/DNNDG89yQKX/?igsh=dHFya3pyc25lZXF4|access-date=2025-08-28 |website=Instagram}}</ref>

==Discography== ===Mixtapes=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:21em;" | Details |- ! scope="row"| ''Life’s Short, Live Big'' | * Released: 23 September 2022<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/jesswar-announces-debut-mixtape-lifes-short-live-big/|title=Jesswar Announces Debut Mixtape 'Life's Short, Live Big'|website=MusicFeeds|date=19 July 2022|access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref> * Label: PIAS Recordings * Formats: CD, Digital |}

===Extended play=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:21em;" | Details |- ! scope="row"| ''TROPIXX'' | * Released: 5 March 2021 * Label: PIAS Recordings * Formats: CD, Digital |}

==Awards and nominations== ===AIR Awards=== The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. {{awards table}} ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2022 | ''Tropixx'' | rowspan="2" | Best Independent Hip Hop Album or EP | {{nom}} | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/nominees-announced-for-air-independent-music-awards-2022/|title=Nominees Announced For AIR Independent Music Awards 2022|website=musicfeeds|date=1 June 2022|access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="AIRwins2022">{{Cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/genesis-owusu-wins-big-at-the-2022-air-awards/|title=Genesis Owusu Wins Big At The 2022 AIR Awards|website=MusicFeeds|date=5 August 2022|access-date=6 August 2022|author=Tyler Jenke}}</ref> |- | 2023 | ''Life's Short, Live Big'' | {{won}} | <ref name="AIRnoms2023">{{cite web|url= https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/nominees-announced-for-the-australian-independent-music-awards-2023/|title= Nominees Announced for the Australian Independent Music Awards 2023 |website=Music Feeds|date=31 May 2023|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="AIRwins2023">{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/air-awards-2023-winners/|title=King Stingray and Genesis Owusu Win Big at 2023 AIR Awards |website=Music Feeds|date= 4 August 2023|access-date=5 August 2023}}</ref> {{end}}

===National Live Music Awards=== The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

{{awards table}} ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | rowspan="1" | 2023 | Jesswar | Best Live Voice in QLD | {{nom}} | rowspan="1" | <ref name="2023noms">{{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/nominees-announced-for-the-2023-national-live-music-awards/SrrwXF9eQUA/05-09-23/|title=Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards|website=The Music|date=5 September 2023|accessdate=11 September 2023}}</ref> {{end}}

===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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theaureview.com/news/rolling-stone-magazine-australia-announces-3rd-annual-awards-event |title=Rolling Stone Magazine Australia announces 3rd annual awards event |work=The AU Review |date=5 December 2011 |access-date=5 March 2021 |author=Barnes, Amelia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808174029/http://www.theaureview.com/news/rolling-stone-magazine-australia-announces-3rd-annual-awards-event |archive-date=8 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {{awards table}} ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2022 | Jesswar | Best New Artist | {{nominated}} | <ref name="RSA2022">{{cite web|url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/vote-in-rolling-stone-australia-readers-award-2022-36149/l/the-sailor-jerry-2022-rolling-stone-awards-nominees/|title=Have Your Say in This Year's Rolling Stone Australia Reader's Choice Award|website=au.rollingstone.com|date=17 January 2022|access-date=17 February 2022}}</ref> |- {{end}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:1990s births Category:Australian people of Fijian descent Category:Fijian musicians Category:Australian LGBTQ rappers Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Canberra Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Australian transgender men Category:Fijian transgender people Category:Transgender male singers Category:Transgender male musicians Category:Transgender rappers Category:21st-century Australian rappers