As DJ Jimmy Jatt celebrates his birthday on October 16, we’re also celebrating a true music legend. For almost 40 years, he has played a big role in shaping the Nigerian music scene. Born Oluwaforijimi Adewale Amu, DJ Jimmy Jatt is known and respected as one of the pioneers who helped make DJing a serious and respected part of the industry in Nigeria.
Jimmy Jatt started out as a rapper known as Master J, but after struggling to get a record deal in the mid-1980s, he switched to DJing. He quickly became popular for his street shows and mix sessions; DJ Jimmy Jatt’s famous “Roadblock” concerts were legendary street music shows in Nigeria during the late 1980s and 1990s. These were free, open-air events held in different neighborhoods, especially on the streets of Lagos. The concerts gave young rappers and underground artists a chance to perform, show their talent, and get noticed.
In 2007, he released his first album, “The Definition,” one of the earliest DJ albums in Nigeria. The album featured big names like 2Baba, Mode 9, Sound Sultan, and Ruggedman, and the song “Stylee” became a hit. He later followed up with “The Industry Vol. 1,” an album that featured over 50 artists and celebrated Nigeria’s rich music culture.
Over the years, Jimmy Jatt has worked with many of Nigeria’s music stars, including Wizkid, Burna Boy, MI Abaga, Olamide, Ice Prince, Skales, and Mr Eazi. He also created Jimmy’s Jump Off, a major concert platform that gave DJs and up-and-coming artists a stage to perform.
In December 2024, DJ Jimmy Jatt celebrated his 40 years on stage at the Rewind ‘A Flashback’ concert held at Eko Hotel in Lagos. The show, hosted with radio personality Yaw, featured performances from legends like TuBaba, Daddy Showkey, Style Plus, Duncan Mighty, Tony Tetuila, and more. The night was extra special, marking Jimmy Jatt’s return to the spotlight after surviving a kidney transplant in 2021.
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