# Jesswar

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesswar
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> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2021}}

{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Jesswar
| image             = 
| caption           = 
| image_size        = 
| landscape         = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt               = 
| birth_name        = <!--Do not add per [MOS:DEADNAME](/source/MOS%3ADEADNAME)-->
| birth_date        = {{birth based on age as of date |26 |2021|3|8}}
| birth_place       = [Canberra](/source/Canberra), Australia
| genre             = [Hip hop](/source/Hip_hop_music)
| occupation        = Artist
| instrument        = 
| years_active      = 
| label             = {{flatlist|
*[Golden Era Records](/source/Golden_Era_Records)
*[PIAS Recordings](/source/PIAS_Recordings)
}}
| associated_acts   = 
| website           = 
}}

'''Jesswar''' is a [Fijian Australian](/source/Fijian_Australians) artist based on [Yugambeh/Kombumerri country](/source/Kombumerri_clan). 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](/source/Queensland_Music_Awards) and the [APRA](/source/APRA_AMCOS) 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](/source/Canberra), Jesswar grew up partly in [Fiji](/source/Fiji) and partly on the [Gold Coast, Queensland](/source/Gold_Coast%2C_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](/source/TAFE_Queensland), and later at the [Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University](/source/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](/source/NME)|date=8 March 2021}}</ref> In 2012 Jesswar formed a four-piece [pop rap](/source/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](/source/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](/source/St_Jerome's_Laneway_Festival). By 2019, he had collaborated with artists including [Tasha the Amazon](/source/Tasha_the_Amazon), [Okenyo](/source/Okenyo), [DZ Deathrays](/source/DZ_Deathrays), and [B Wise](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Rihanna)-inspired collaboration with viral Texan rapper [Erica Banks](/source/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](/source/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](/source/MusicFeeds)|date=19 July 2022|access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref>
* Label: [PIAS Recordings](/source/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](/source/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](/source/AIR_Awards_of_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](/source/MusicFeeds)|date=5 August 2022|access-date=6 August 2022|author=Tyler Jenke}}</ref>
|-
| [2023](/source/AIR_Awards_of_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](/source/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](/source/Music_Feeds)|date= 4 August 2023|access-date=5 August 2023}}</ref>
{{end}}

===National Live Music Awards===
The [National Live Music Awards](/source/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](/source/National_Live_Music_Awards_of_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](/source/The_Music_(magazine))|date=5 September 2023|accessdate=11 September 2023}}</ref>
{{end}}

===Rolling Stone Australia Awards===
The [Rolling Stone Australia Awards](/source/Rolling_Stone_Australia_Awards) are awarded annually in January or February by the [Australian edition](/source/Rolling_Stone_Australia) of ''[Rolling Stone](/source/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}}

{{Authority control}}

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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jesswar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesswar) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesswar?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.