{{Infobox musical artist | background = person | name = Joh Makini | birth_name = John Simon Mseke | birth_date = {{birth date and age |1980|3|27|df=y}} | birth_place = Arusha, Tanzania | genre = Hip hop, Afropop | occupation = Rapper, songwriter, composer | years_active = 2004 - Present | origin = Arusha | label = Makini Music, Wanene Music | current_member_of = WEUSI }} '''John Simon Mseke''' (born March 27, 1980), popularly known by his stage name '''Joh Makini''', is a Tanzanian hip hop recording artist and composer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-04 |title=Joh Makini |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/joh-makini |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Music In Africa |language=en}}</ref>
He is one of the members of the Tanzanian Hip Hop group called Weusi and also the founder and CEO of his record label, Makini Music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rapper Joh Makini Launches Own Record Label, Signs First Artiste |url=https://tangalebs.com/top-of-the/rapper-joh-makini-launches-own-record-label-signs-first-artiste_1263277987621233 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125113933/https://tangalebs.com/top-of-the/rapper-joh-makini-launches-own-record-label-signs-first-artiste_1263277987621233 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=TANGAlebs |language=en}}</ref> Joh Makini is from Arusha Tanzania and is one of the most celebrated rappers in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bahhar |first=Narjes |date=2017-12-01 |title=African rap scenes: 5 Tanzanian rappers to follow |url=https://pan-african-music.com/en/african-rap-scenes-5-tanzanian-rappers/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=PAM - Pan African Music |language=en-US }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Young Killer: Joh Makini hakosi kwenye top 3 yangu ya wasanii wa hip hop bora Bongo – Bongo5.com |url=https://bongo5.com/young-killer-joh-makini-hakosi-kwenye-top-3-yangu-ya-wasanii-wa-hip-hop-bora-bongo-01-2017/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=bongo5.com}}</ref>
== Career == Joh Makini was born in Arusha Tanzania and was raised in a family with four siblings including his younger brother, Nikki Wa Pili who is also a rapper. His breakthrough came in 2006 after releasing a hit song, "Chochote Popote," which brought him to the limelight as a rising hip-hop star in Tanzania.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-04 |title=Joh Makini |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/joh-makini |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Music In Africa |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Huyu ndiye ‘mchawi’ mafanikio ya Joh Makini |url=https://globalpublishers.co.tz/huyu-ndiye-mchawi-mafanikio-ya-joh-makini/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Global Publishers |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2012 he joined forces with Nikki Wa Pili, Bonta Maarifa, Lord Eyez and G Nako to form a hip-hop group dubbed Weusi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TZA |first=Victor Kileo |title=Joh Makini ataja wasanii wa bongo anaowakubali kwenye muziki wa Hip Hop |url=https://millardayo.com/jvr/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Millard Ayo |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-28 |title=Weusi tumeacha ushamba : Joh Makini {{!}} East Africa Television |url=https://www.eatv.tv/news/entertainment/weusitumeacha-ushamba-joh-makini |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=www.eatv.tv |language=en}}</ref> Weusi became notable as they performed in different music festivals around the country including FIesta <ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-29 |title=Weusi, Fid Q wafunika Tigo Fiesta Mwanza |url=https://www.ippmedia.com/sw/burudani/weusi-fid-q-wafunika-tigo-fiesta-mwanza |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=www.ippmedia.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Weusi, Fid Q Wafunika, Dimpoz Amwaga Machozi Jukwaa la Fiesta |url=https://globalpublishers.co.tz/weusi-fid-q-wafunika-dimpoz-amwaga-machozi-jukwaa-la-fiesta/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Global Publishers |language=en-US}}</ref>
Around 2014 Joh Makini started venturing into the African music market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ayo |first=Millard |title=Joh Makini amezitaja collabo zake za international |url=https://millardayo.com/jhmkn54/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Millard Ayo |language=en-US}}</ref> He collaborated with different African artists such as Nigeria's Chidinma in "Perfect Combo" <ref>{{Cite web |title=Joh Makini Akamilisha ‘Project’ Yake Na Chidinma |url=https://globalpublishers.co.tz/joh-makini-akamilisha-project-yake-na-chidinma/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Global Publishers |language=en-US}}</ref> Davido In "Kata Leta" <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kolabo na Davido sikutafuta – Joh Makini – Bongo5.com |url=https://bongo5.com/kolabo-na-davido-sikutafuta-joh-makini-07-2017/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=bongo5.com}}</ref> and late South African rapper, AKA who he worked with in “Don’t Bother” <ref>{{Cite web |last=Ayo |first=Millard |title=Mabibi na mabwana video ya Joh Makini Feat. AKA – Don’t Bother ndio hii tumeletewa. |url=https://millardayo.com/johnew1111/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Millard Ayo |language=en-US}}</ref> "Don’t Bother" became a hit that earned him a nomination at The African Entertainment Awards USA.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-31 |title=African Entertainment Awards USA unveil nominees |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/african-entertainment-awards-usa-unveil-nominees |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Music In Africa |language=en}}</ref>
In 2021, Joh Makini teamed up with Weusi to release their first album titled Air Weusi along with an accompanying tour around different regions in Tanzania.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Album ya Weusi ‘Air Weusi’ ngoma 14, rasmi kuachiwa Ijumaa – Bongo5.com |url=https://bongo5.com/album-ya-weusi-air-weusi-ngoma-14-rasmi-kuachiwa-ijumaa-03-2021/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=bongo5.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Elim |first=Robert |date=2021-03-14 |title=WEUSI WAACHIA RASMI ALBUM YAO "AIR WEUSI" • North Rift Radio |url=https://northriftradio.co.ke/weusi-waachia-rasmi-album-yao-air-weusi/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=North Rift Radio |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Joh Makini is an older brother to Nikki Wa Pili, a Tanzanian rapper who is now a district commissioner of Kisarawe Dar es Salaam.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-23 |title=Aisee! Masta hawa 10 walishikwa mkono wakajibeba kabisa... |url=https://www.mwananchi.co.tz/mw/michezo/burudani/-aisee-masta-hawa-10-walishikwa-mkono-wakajibeba-kabisa--3411126 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Mwananchi |language=en}}</ref> He is also known for his close ties with Navy Kenzo, Vanessa Mdee and Mimi Mars who he was rumoured to date in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mimi Mars confirms not having a fling with Joh Makini- (Video) – Bongo5.com |url=https://bongo5.com/mimi-mars-confirms-not-having-a-fling-with-joh-makini-video-01-2018/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=bongo5.com}}</ref>
== Discography ==
'''''Albums'''''
Zamu Yangu (2007) <ref>{{Citation |title=Zamu Yangu by JOH MAKINI ⚜ Download or listen online — mdundo.com |url=https://mdundo.com/song/2026001 |access-date=2023-03-16 |language=en}}</ref>
'''''Singles'''''
Nusu Nusu
Dangerous
Mchele
Zamu Yangu
Mipaka
Niaje Ni Vipi
Stimu Zimelipiwa
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Makini, Joh}} Category:Tanzanian musicians Category:1980 births Category:Living people Category:Tanzanian composers Category:Swahili-language Tanzanian singers Category:Tanzanian hip-hop musicians Category:People from Arusha Region