The Chief
Jidenna Mobbison ’03
After his 2015 hit single “Classic Man,” Jidenna follows up the Grammy Award-nominated track with a debut album titled The Chief. Unleashing powerful lyrics and visuals with tracks “Long Live the Chief” and “Chief Don’t Run,” Jidenna says the debut album is a nod to his roots. “This story is from the point of view of a first-generation Nigerian-American in different cities, places and communities, that has ever been told in this way,” he has said. The album blends a unique and enticing combination of world-influenced and mainstream sound.
Signed to Janelle Monáe’s Wondaland Records label and distributed through Epic Records, Jidenna has collaborated with a number of celebrated artists, including Monáe herself. In February 2015, “Classic Man” debuted at number 49 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. In March 2015, the second single from the EP—“Yoga” by Monáe and Jidenna—was released. “Classic Man” was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 58th Grammy Awards. Jidenna received an award for best new artist at the 2015 Soul Train Music Awards. He has also appeared in a recurring role on Issa Rae’s HBO dramedy Insecure.