Takun J

Jonathan Koffa (born May 14, 1981),[3] better known by his stage name Takun J (often stylized as Takun-J), is a Liberian rapper, songwriter and activist. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of Hipco, a politically-charged music genre.[4] The Liberian Gender Ministry designated him as one of its anti-rape ambassadors. Takun J's music addresses socio-political issues in Liberia. He is best known for his singles "Who Make You Cry", "Policeman", "Gbagba is Corruption" and "A Song for Hawa".[5] Takun J released his debut studio album The Time in 2007. His second studio album My Way was released in December 2012.

Takun J
Background information
Birth nameJonathan Koffa
Born (1981-05-14) May 14, 1981 [1][2]
Monrovia, Liberia
GenresHipco, hip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • activist
Years active2005–present
LabelsJazzo Entertainment
Associated acts
  • Nasseman
  • Xpolay
  • Luckay Buckay
  • Romeo Lee
  • Bentman Tha Don
  • JD Donzo
Websitetakunj.com

Biography and music career

Takun J was born in Monrovia, Liberia. He grew up with his mother and three siblings. His father relocated to the United States when he was four years old.[3] He was present during Liberia's first and second civil wars, which lasted from 1989 to 2003. While growing up in the country's capital, he played soccer and participated in dancing and talent show competitions. He became passionate about music and decided to pursue a career in music after graduating from high school. When he was 17 years old, he joined a musical group called Magnetic. Takun J released his debut single "We'll Spay You" in 2005. His second single "You Meaning Me" was released the following year.[6]

Takun J relocated to refugee camps in Ghana and Ivory Coast with his family. He returned to Liberia and released his debut album The Time in 2007. The album's lead single "Policeman" is a politically-charged song that exposes corruption by officers of the Liberian National Police; the song also includes a plea to then-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to repress corruption.[7] The song's release prompted two police arrests and a beating. Takun J was not deterred by the incident and managed to perform on the day of his release from jail.[6] In an interview with the Liberian Listener, Takun J said he released "Policeman" in order to create awareness about police negligence.[8]

Takun J was one of the acts featured on the remix of Xpolay's 2012 single "Pot Not Bolling", which was produced by Yor-EL Francis and received critical acclaim in Liberia.[9] In the aforementioned interview with the Liberian Listener, Takun J said the song was well received because of its positive messages.[8]

Takun J released his second studio album My Way in December 2012. It was produced by Stone Gray, AB Swaray, King Brian and Rawlo. The album features guest appearances from Nasseman, Santos, Soul Smiter, Bentman tha Don, Scientific, Marvalous and Ice Princess. My Way was recorded at Studio 57 and Red Eyez studios. Takun J addresses his daily struggles on the record and said the songs on it are relatable.[8]

In February 2013, Takun J released the solemn track "A Song for Hawa"; it was produced by PCI-Media Impact and addresses violence against Liberian girls and women. Takun J wrote the song after visiting a home sheltering victimized young girls.[8] The music video for the song premiered at the UN Commission on the Status of Women. He told Mae Azango it narrates the story of a girl named Hawa, who was raped by her uncle following the death of her mother.[5]

Takun J has cited Tupac Shakur, Bob Marley and Akon as his key musical influences.[3] He is part of the Hipco Accountability Network, an organization that strengthens copyright laws and establishes minimum play laws in Liberia. The network includes musical personalities such as Nasseman, JD Donzo, Shining Man, JB of Soul Fresh, Lil Bishop, Dr. C, Santos, Blackest 305, Uncle Shaq, Picardor and Pochano.[10][11]

Humanitarian works

Anti-child rape campaign

Takun J became an ambassador for the Liberian Gender Ministry's anti-rape campaign, and was responsible for highlighting rape issues in the country. In order to galvanize communities to take action against violence towards children, UNICEF and PCI-Media Impact organized a series of six concerts, which was part of an expansive campaign to halt the abuse and exploitation of children in Liberia. On June 14, 2014, Takun J headlined the first concert held in the capital of Grand Bassa County; the concert featured additional performances from Peaches, Robbie Nas and comedian Kpakala Kpokolo, as well as a moving video highlighting the issue of child rape.[12][13]

Anti-corruption campaign

On May 19, 2014, Takun J released "Gbagba is Corruption", a conscious song that is based on the children's book Gbagba (2013). The book was written by Robtel Neajai Pailey, a former doctoral student at SOAS, University of London. Pailey was inspired to write the book in order to give children the verbal tools to question the ethical and moral values of adults around them. The book received critical acclaim and has been adopted as an anti-corruption children's primer by the Liberian Ministry of Education.[14]

Notable performances and endorsement deals

Takun J performs at the annual two-day Hipco festival in Monrovia.[10] On July 27, 2012, he performed with Nasseman, David Mell, Nozi and Mr. Smith at the Lone Star Cell musical concert.[15] On December 7, 2013, he also performed at the second annual Liberia Music Festival, held at Slipway Sports Pitch.[16] On March 15, 2014, Takun J performed at the Holiday Beach Jam in Congo Town alongside J. Martins, R2Bees, Scientific, Cypha D’King, Sweetz and F.A.[17] He works with UNICEF as an ambassador of music.[10] In March 2014, The Daily Observer reported that Takun J signed a two-year endorsement deal with Lonestar Cell MTN. As part of the deal, he is expected to appear and perform on Lonestar Cell/MTN programs.[18][19]

Physical altercation with Edwin Snowe

On June 17, 2013, Takun J had an encounter with Edwin Snowe after narrowly escaping a head-on collision with Snowe's vehicle. The incident between the two individuals occurred at the United Nations Drive toward the Mamba Point diplomatic community. Takun J said Snowe pulled him out of his car and punched him several times. Snowe confirmed the occurrence of the incident and admitted to punching Takun J. After the incident had died down, Takun J wrote a formal complaint to the House of Representatives of Liberia about the punches he received from Snowe.[20]

Discography
Studio albums
  • The Time (2007)
  • My Way (2012)
Singles
Year Title Album
2005 "We'll Spay You" (with Magnetic) Non album single
2006 "You Meaning Me"
2007 "Policeman" The Time
"Who Made You Cry"
"Six Jue"
2011 "This is Where I'm From"[21]
(Queen V featuring Cypha the King, Nasseman and Takun J)		 N/A
2012 "Pot Not Bolling" (Remix)
(Xpolay featuring Romeo Lee, JD Donzo, Luckay Buckay, Takun J and Bentman tha Don)		 TBA
2013 "A Song for Hawa"
"Whats Up"
(Mr. Smith featuring Marvelous MC, JD Donzo, Tant Tan, DJ Chicago, Takun J, Naseeman, Noy Z and David Mell)
2014 "Gbagba Is Corruption"
Guest appearances
List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Down in Africa"[22] 2012 Nasseman Redemption Time
"Pro Poor Agenda"[23] 2018 Bucky Raw Cs2

Awards and nominations
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2015 Honesty Oscars Best Activist Anthem "Gbagba Is Corruption" Nominated [24]
Liberian Entertainment Awards Best Hipco Artist Himself Nominated [25]
2014 Liberian Music Awards Artist of the Year Nominated [26]
Male Artist of the Year Won [27]
Hipco Artist of the Year Won
Artist of the Year - Africa Nominated [26]
Song of the Year "Pot Not Bolling" (Remix)
(Xpolay featuring Romeo Lee, JD Donzo, Luckay Buckay, Takun J and Bentman tha Don)		 Won [27]
Collaboration of the Year Won
"Whats Up"
(Mr. Smith featuring Marvelous MC, JD Donzo, Tant Tan, DJ Chicago, Takun J, Nasseman, Noy Z and David Mell)		 Nominated [26]
Video of the Year "A Song for Hawa" Nominated
Video of the Year Africa Nominated
"Pot Not Bolling" (Remix)
(Xpolay featuring Romeo Lee, JD Donzo, Luckay Buckay, Takun J and Bentman tha Don)		 Nominated
Liberian Entertainment Awards Best Artist Himself Nominated [28]
Best Hipco artist Won [29]
Best Music Video "Pot Not Bolling Remix"
(Xpolay featuring Romeo Lee, JD Donzo, Luckay Buckay, Takun J and Bentman tha Don)		 Nominated [28]
Song of the Year Won [29]

See also

References
  1. "Takun J - About". A Together Liberia Project. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  2. Sandy, Yewa (22 May 2014). "Takun J: B-Day Celebration Will Be "Different"". Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  3. Browne, Raymond (20 June 2014). "UNICEF Ambassador,Takun J Rapper from Liberia is bitter that Liberian djs are not appreciating and promoting music from Liberian artistes". iGroove Radio. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  4. Ashoka (31 March 2014). "'HIPCO' IS THE SOUNDTRACK OF MONROVIA'S POST-WAR YOUTH". Vice. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  5. "Liberia: 'A Song for Hawa' - Hip Co King Takun J Tackles Sex Abuse in Powerful Single". allAfrica.com. 22 March 2013. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  6. Hicks, Jonathan (4 April 2014). "A Liberian Rapper and a Singer Also Serve as Ambassadors". Bet.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  7. "Liberia Recovers From War". Slate. 4 May 2007. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  8. "11 Questions: Takun J, Hipco Artist". Liberian Listener. 19 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  9. Rahimian, Nora (9 January 2013). "Liberian street hit stirs the political pot". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  10. Glencorse, Blair (9 January 2014). "Hip Co Festival: How Liberia's music industry is building accountability". One. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  11. "Battle hymns". The Economist. 14 January 2014. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  12. "Music for social change: UNICEF teams up with Liberian artists to protect children from violence". Unicef. 14 June 2014. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  13. Dennis, Edwood N. "Takun-J Embarks On Rape Campaign". Daily Palava Hut. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  14. "Liberian Hip-Co artist releases song for SOAS student's anti-corruption primer for children". SOAS, University of London. 22 May 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  15. "LoneStar Cell MTN Holds "Fantastic Week" Draw, Musical Concert". Heritage Newspaper. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  16. "Ode to Hipco - Takun J. & Crew Set to Rock Second Annual Liberia Music Festival". Interactive Intelligence. 6 December 2013. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  17. Kamara, Makanfi (8 March 2014). "Lonestar Cell, Sound City to Host Holiday Beach Jam". Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  18. Genoway Jr., Edwin G (10 March 2014). "'Takun J', Lonestar Cell MTN sign agreement". The New Dawn. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  19. "Takun J Inks 2-year Partnership Agreement with Mobile Operator". Daily Observer. 14 March 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  20. "Snowe Beats Up Takun J." en.africatime.com. The New Dawn. 19 June 2013. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  21. Kamara, Makanfi (30 March 2014). "'Jue You Bad' Artist QUEEN V Raps on Celebrity, Motherhood". Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  22. Giamo, Christopher (24 June 2011). "Takun J – Hip-Co in Liberia". Together Liberia. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  23. "Cs2 by Bucky Raw". iTunes. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  24. Walker, Emily (19 February 2015). "Honesty Oscars 2015: Best Activist Anthem". One. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  25. King, Jefferson (20 February 2015). "Liberian Entertainment Awards 2015 Nominees". Bush Chicken. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  26. Sandy, Yewa (13 June 2014). "Liberian Music Awards: And The Nominees Are...!". Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  27. "TAKUN J, POT-BOILERS, HERALD LIBERIA MUSIC AWARD WINNERS". Front Page Africa. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  28. Sandy, Yewa (10 January 2014). "Multiple Liberian based artists nominated for 2014 Liberian Entertainment Awards". Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  29. "Liberian Entertainment Award Winners!". Daily Observer. 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
External video
Takun J speaking to Time magazine about Ebola
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