{{Short description|Tanzanian hip hop artist and politician}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = Hon. | name = Professor Jay | honorific_suffix = MP | image = Professor-jay-songs465315764..jpg | office = Member of Parliament of Mikumi Constituency | term_start = November 2015 | term_end = October 2020 | predecessor = Abdulsalaam Amer | successor = Denis Londo | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|12|29|df=y}} | birth_place = Songea | party = CHADEMA | occupation = {{flatlist| *Rapper *singer *songwriter *politician }} | spouse = | children = Lisa Joseph | website = | module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes | background = solo_singer | genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|Bongo Flava}} | instrument = | years_active = 1989&ndash;present | label = Mwanalizombe Studios | associated_acts = Hard Blasters, Lady Jaydee, Diamond Platnumz, Juma Nature, Inspector Haroun, Black Rhino, Harmonize, Simple X, Q Chillah, A.Y., Mangwair, Taff B. }} }} '''Joseph Haule''' (born December 29, 1975), popularly known by his stage name '''Professor Jay''', is a Tanzanian hip hop recording artist, politician and former member of the Tanzanian parliament for Mikumi constituency.<ref name=reelect>{{Cite web|last=Muendo|first=Stevens|title=Bongo singer Professor Jay beaten in polls|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/africa/article/2001391985/bongo-singer-professor-jay-beaten-in-polls|access-date=2021-04-05|website=The Standard|language=en-us}}</ref> He is one of the prominent representatives of the "Bongo Flava" Tanzanian hip hop subgenre, which mixes elements from both Western hip hop and the Tanzanian tradition (including Swahili lyrics as well as an activist attitude towards Tanzanian social issues such as HIV/AIDS, wealth, inequality, and political corruption).<ref>[http://www.afropop.org/explore/album_review/ID/2604/Bongo+Flava:+Swahili+Rap+from+Tanzania Bongo Flava: Swahili Rap from Tanzania<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217023910/http://www.afropop.org/explore/album_review/ID/2604/Bongo+Flava%3A+Swahili+Rap+From+Tanzania |date=2005-12-17 }}</ref>

== Biography == He started rapping in 1989 as a member of the group Hard Blasters, best known for their hit "Chemsha Bongo" (then he used stage name ''Nigga J'') from their first album, "Funga Kazi". Only one year later, they won the title of best hip-hop group in Tanzania.<ref name="Professor Jay : BAB KUBWA">[http://babkubwa.com/?p=25 Professor Jay : BAB KUBWA<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

During his solo career which started in 2001, he has released number of hits, including "Nikusaidiaje" and "Zali la Mentali (feat Juma Nature)". Other songs released by Professor Jay include "Piga Makofi" and "Yataka Moyo".<ref>[http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/pop_playground/bongoflava-the-primer.htm Bongoflava: The Primer - Pop Playground - Stylus Magazine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Just like Mr. II, he is a pioneering Tanzanian MC, who have remained some of the most popular hip hop musicians in Tanzania, despite influx of many new bidders. Also similar to Mr. II and Deepac Braxx from (Kisii County) but who resides in Nairobi Kenya his lyrics often have political messages. In one of his songs he imitates an elder politician and ridicules the fake promises they all mindlessly spew as they are trying to get elected. The song continues with a chorus saying the words "Ndio Mzee" which means "Yes Sir". This represents the brainwashing of the public as politicians make these false promises over and over. However, after the song was released, the president of Tanzania referenced the lyrics in one of his speeches, which acknowledged the presence of Bongo Flava and the success of Professor Jay's political lyrics.<ref>[http://www.afropop.org/multi/interview/ID/67/AFRICAN+HIP+HOP+IN+TANZANIA+-+Highlights+of+a+Conversation+with+Alex+Perullo Interview: AFRICAN HIP HOP IN TANZANIA - Highlights of a Conversation with Alex Perullo<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403001733/http://www.afropop.org/multi/interview/ID/67/AFRICAN+HIP+HOP+IN+TANZANIA+-+Highlights+of+a+Conversation+with+Alex+Perullo |date=2008-04-03 }}</ref>

His first album, "Machozi, Jasho na Damu," gained instant recognition for which Professor Jay won several awards. He attained other awards such as the best hip-hop album in Tanzania with his second album, "Mapinduzi halisi".<ref name="Professor Jay : BAB KUBWA"/>

Professor Jay's songs include Nikusaidiaje (featuring Ferooz), Nimeamini (featuring Lady Jaydee), Inatosha (featuring Sugu), Vuta raha (featuring Ferooz), Border kwa border (featuring Nazizi), Heka heka za star, Interlude, J.O.S.E.P.H., Nisamehe (featuring Banana), Wapi nimakosea, Una, Hakuna Noma, Jina Langu, Bongo Dar es Salaam, Piga Makofi, Msinitenge, Kikao cha Dharura, Zali la Mentali, Nidivyo Sivyo, Mtazamo (featuring Afande Sele and Solo Thang), Hapo Sawa.<ref>[http://professorjay.net/discography.html Professor Jay Discography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012062149/http://professorjay.net/discography.html |date=2008-10-12 }}</ref> Professor Jay is featured by Deepac Braxx (Heavyweight Mc) and Nonini's song "Kumekucha" <ref name="mwisho">noninin - Mwisho ya Mawazo of Kenya. liner notes</ref>

==Politics== At the 2015 Tanzanian general elections, Professor Jay successfully vied for Mikumi constituency parliamentary seat for CHADEMA. He was not reelected in 2020.<ref name=reelect />

==Personal life== He comes from a family where his younger brothers are all musicians, including a well known rapper, Black Rhino. As of 14 February 2022, Jay has allegedly been under hospital care for health complications.<ref name="star2348">{{Cite web |last=Elizabeth |first=Ngigi |date=14 February 2022 |title=Bongo artiste Prof Jay undergoing dialysis |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/word-is/2022-02-14-bongo-artiste-prof-jay-undergoing-dialysis/ |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=The Star}}</ref>

==Solo albums== * ''Machozi Jasho na Damu'' 2001 * ''Mapinduzi Halisi'' 2003 * ''J.O.S.E.P.H'' 2006 * ''Aluta Continua'' 2007 * ''Izack mangesho '' 2014 * ''Kazi Kazi '' 2016

== Awards == === Won === *2004 Tanzania Music Awards (Kilimanjaro Music Awards)- Best Hip Hop Album ("Mapinduzi Halisi") <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041204012935/http://www.kilitimetz.com/winners.html Tanzania Music Awards - Winner 2004]</ref> *2006 Tanzania Music Awards - Best Song (''Nikusaidiaje'') <ref>Tanzania music Awards [http://www.kilitimetz.com/awards/2006/winners 2006 winners] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828071748/http://www.kilitimetz.com/awards/2006/winners/ |date=2008-08-28 }}</ref> *2006 Kisima Music Awards - Best Tanzanian Song (''Nikusaidiaje'')<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kisimaawards.co.ke/kminner.asp?cat=winners |title=Kisima Awards winners 2006 |access-date=2007-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408174146/http://www.kisimaawards.co.ke/kminner.asp?cat=winners |archive-date=2009-04-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *2007 Kisima Music Awards - Best Ugandan Song (''Sivyo Ndiviyo'' with Chameleone) <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kisimaawards.co.ke/kminner.asp?cat=winners07 |title=Kisima Awards winners 2007 |access-date=2009-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722132158/http://www.kisimaawards.co.ke/kminner.asp?cat=winners07 |archive-date=2011-07-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *2007 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) - Best Male Artist (Tanzania) <ref>Museke: [http://www.museke.com/node/1617 Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) awards 2007 winners - Uganda] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190544/http://www.museke.com/node/1617 |date=2016-03-04 }}</ref> *2009 Tanzania Music Awards - Best Songwriter <ref>Daily Nation, Buzz Magazine, April 12, 2009: [http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/buzz/-/441236/559564/-/item/2/-/8vn5m2z/-/index.html The Kilimanjaro Awards 2009:The highs and lows]</ref>

=== Nominated === *2008 MTV Africa Music Awards - Best Hip Hop <ref>BBC, November 23, 2008: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7744492.stm Nigerians sweep MTV Africa awards]</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Portal|Tanzania}} {{Sister project links |auto=yes | commons=yes | wikt= | q= | b= | n= |s= | v= | voy= | species= |d=Q519965 | display=Professor Jay}} * {{YouTube|channel=ProfessorJayTz|ProfessorJayTz}} * {{instagram|professorjaytz|professorjaytz}}<!-- per WP:ELMINOFFICIAL, choose one official website only --> * [https://www.parliament.go.tz/administrations/262 Tovuti ya Bunge la Tanzania]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Professor Jay}} Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:Kisima Music Award winners Category:Tanzanian rappers Category:Swahili-language Tanzanian singers Category:21st-century Tanzanian male singers Category:Tanzanian musicians Category:Tanzanian Bongo Flava musicians Category:Tanzanian Roman Catholics