JAGWA876
New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2004 | INDIE
Music
Press
US-based artiste Jagwa has been dominating the airwaves with his latest controversial single 'Nobody's Girl'.
The single has been gaining popularity in southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and European countries such as Switzerland, and has recently began getting airplay in parts of South and North America and Jamaica, as well as some parts of Africa.
"I've been getting great reviews on this single from both genders, who have had firsthand experience on what the song is talking about. I have also gotten conflicting reviews from some members of the gender being specifically spoken of in the song, especially because of the word used to describe them. But after listening to it again, they usually agree and accept it for what it is, which is just the truth," shared Jagwa.
Unique choice
Nobody's Girl touches the issue of unfaithful women, a much-talked-about topic in dancehall. The song describes the behaviour of some women and details some of the reasons and excuses made by these women, who nonchalantly continue to cheat on their significant others. The artiste uses a unique choice of word to paint the picture from the perspective of the person being cheated on.
"It is a matter of being different. A lot of artistes are singing about infidelity, which can get played out, so I added a twist to my song, but take my word for it, listen to it and you will see why the song is so liked. "
Jagwa teamed up with College Boiz Productions, headed by Owen 'Ibez' Davidson, for the release of this song.
The single is also available on iTunes. A video for the single is also set to be shot in the US sometime later this month. - The Jamaica Star
Jagwa has written songs for the likes of Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man and Alozade, but is making his way back on to the dancehall scene with his latest single, 'Nobody's Girl'.
In a press release, Jagwa said his song was inspired by personal experiences.
"Nobody's Girl was inspired by my personal experiences, as well asmy observation of others with similar experience with unfaithfulness in relationships, from a man's perspective."
The song was produced by Jagwa and Owen 'Ibez' Davidson (Collegeboiz Production).
Jagwa is no stranger to dancehall as he has released songs such as Feel Good(We Drink Guinness By The Case) in 2004, Want It All Day featuring Voicemail, No Gal with Bounty Killer, and Suffering.
Originally from Portmore, St Catherine, he migrated to New York in 2008. Since then, he has collaborated with international producers such as DJ Snake.
"I have a single, Steppa, which is coming out on the Juss Kool label, as well as Ain't One on the Collegeboiz Production label. I have other singles coming out as well as an EP," Jagwa said. - The Jamaica Star
SINGJAY Jagwa deals with the issue of unfaithful women in his latest single Nobody's Girl.
Released early this month, the single is produced by Owen 'Ibez' Davidson on the Collegeboiz Production label. It is available on iTunes. A video is slated to be shot later this month.
"It is a matter of being different. A lot of artistes are singing about infidelity, which can get played out, so I added a twist to my song. But take my word for it, listen to it," said Jagwa.
"I have also gotten conflicting reviews from some members of the gender being specifically spoken of in the song, especially because of the word used to describe them but, after listening to it again they usually agree and accept it for what it is, which is just the truth," he continued.
Jagwa (given name Vernon Spencer) hails from Portmore, St Catherine.
He got his first taste of dancehall in 2001 when he wrote Jamaica for deejay Alozade. He was subsequently recruited by Cordel 'Skatta' Burrell for his skills. This collaboration led to Jagwa penning lyrics for artistes including Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Merciless, Harry Toddler and Ce'Cile.
Jagwa is also known for Feel Good (Guinness By the Case). - Jamaica Observer
ELEVEN years after clawing his way to the top with We Drink Guinness by the Case, deejay Jagwa is back with Nobody's Girl.
The song shares production credits between Jagwa and Owen 'Ibez' Davidson on the Collegeboiz Production label.
Jagwa shares his inspiration for his latest single.
"Nobody's Girl was inspired by my personal experiences as well as my observation from others with similar experiences, relating to unfaithfulness from a man's perspective," he told Jamaica Observer.
He said the feedback has been encouraging.
"I want to thank the radio disc jocks who have been giving the song the support. "The response to the song has been good and I'm getting a lot of positive feedback from all the different corners of the world [where] it has been exposed. Persons from both sexes have expressed their pleasure with the song," he said.
In his 30s, Jagwa has written a number of hits for established acts over the years. These acts include Shabba Ranks (Gi Dem Di Shabba); Bounty Killer (Killa Nah Trace, Killa Weh Everybody Want Kill and Do You See); Elephant Man (Nuh Come Fast) and Alozade (Jamaica).
The former Kingston College student described his musical journey.
"It is a constant learning experience and growing process as I keep learning more about the music business, the people in and behind the scenes, as well as learning more about myself as an artiste," said Jagwa.
Originally from Braeton in Portmore, St Catherine, the artiste moved to Cassia Park in St Andrew before migrating to New York in 2008.
His other singles include Suffering; Want it All Day, featuring Voice Mail; and No Gal, featuring Bounty Killer.
"I several singles coming out... Steppa on the Juss Kool label as well as Ain't One on the Collegeboiz Production label. I'm working on my EP as well," said Jagwa. - Jamaica Observer
Fresh Act Jagwa wants to take music to the highest level. - contributed
'JAGWA DI GIRLS dem agua', is the signature speech he uses for the ladies and he is also one of Bounty Killer's latest apprentices. Originally from Cassia Park, Red Hills Road, Vernon Spencer, also called Jagwa by members of the dancehall fraternity, is one of dancehall's newest, talented and uprising artistes to come on the scene.
Jagwa's venture into dancehall started from a tender age he told THE STAR; "From school, primary school, me used to beat desk and deejay, when me used to attend Port Henderson Primary and moved on to K.C. - started voicing songs from the '90s", he said. "First song was a combination with me and a youth name Wasp at Mixing Lab, that was my first song and was the happiest moment in my life."
Currently Jagwa's songs (Jamaica) A True Man, It Go So on the Mo Music Label, Attention (Military) and Fi Di Girls (Purple Skunk Label) have been getting tremendous radio play. Songs from other mixed CDs are not yet being aired. He has also been featured on RETV and Hype TV.
Jagwa recently released a mix tape with 29 tracks and four interludes, all mixed by Deejay Sean of Coppershot. "We have received many good responses from persons who have heard the mix tape," Road Manager Gregory McFarlane commented.
Performance
Jagwa's talent has led him to the stages of last year's Sting, the event dubbed 'the greatest one night reggae show on earth'. He also performed at Caribbean Reggae Fest held in Miami last November which featured acts such as Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, Assassin, Elephant, Spragga Benz and Capleton. He also travelled with Bounty Killer for shows in European countries such as Germany and Paris and other small Caribbean islands.
What makes him different? Jagwa told THE STAR, "Well me try say things people never hear before, concepts that they wouldn't think bout and set yuhself different from the pack, dancehall is a cycle, everything we a deejay, deejay about already, is how yuh bring it across and mek it different", he said.
Jagwa's inspiration comes from his mentor and icon Bounty Killer. "Bounty Killer inspire me to dah level here, ask any youth weh a come up and see if a nuh Bounty dem say." He added.
And music is his final destiny, he says. "Me, mi nah stop deejay until me dead, so as far as me can tek it, mi 'live-dicated' to weh me a do now.
"Me want all of what it have to offer, we nah gwaan like we a do it fi nutten, everything we can get out of it, just as we love it, we want it love we too." - The Jamaica Star
Upcoming artiste Jagwa. - Contributed
Stage Name: Jagwa
Real Name: Vernon Spencer
Birth Date: January 10, 1981
Which high school did you attend? Kingston College
How did you get started in the business? "I usually attend school in Bermuda and from then I always wanted to do music, so when I came back to Jamaica, I wanted to do music full time so I link up with a youth name Wasp from my neighbourhood and we go a Mainstreet Studio."
What has been your greatest challenge in the business yet? "Mi no really have no major challenge yet, just normally weh every entertainer go tru."
What have you been up to lately? "Trying to record some new singles and I have been writing and recording."
Do you look up to any specific artiste? "Well mi look up to nuff artistes, man like Shabba, Bounty Killer, Spragga and Buju. The man dem weh set it fi artiste like we."
Are you happy with the way things are going for your career right now? "Things could be better but mi still give thanks and working towards making things better, so saying I'm not grateful then that would be an ungrateful statement."
Anything you'd like to change about it? "Well no really."
What are your future plans? "To keep on working and achieve my goals."
Do you have any advice for young artistes coming up? "Be creative and original, try to think outside the box, praise God and have faith and manners. An make sure music is what you want to do." - The Jamaica Star
Discography
Nobody's Girl - Single
Lock Di Street - Single
Dagga - Single
Suffering - Gangwar
Feel Good - Coolie Dance
It Go So - Riddim Driven Ruckus
Smoke Weed - Grimey
Woo - Inspector
All the Girls - Clappas
Want it all day - Riddim Kollection: Kantana
Nah Go Do That - Black Chiney presents Drumline Riddim/Riddim Driven
Man a Badman - Riddim Driven: Dreamweaver
Can't Get Away - Assault Riddim
Dishonor - Bad Company
Tell me she wants it - Yakuza
Photos
Bio
JAGWA, Born Vernon Spencer, to a family of various musical talents, grew up in the Breaton Phase One area of Portmore and knew from a young age that he wanted to be an artist, he recalls watching video tapes of King Yellowman and Josie Wales as well as listening to tapes of Sound Systems such as Bodyguard, Silver Hawk etc, and the influence they had on him which played a major part in the influence of his early career choice.
Having been inspired by artist such as Papa San, Lt. Stitch, Bounty Killer, Spragga Benz, Mad Cobra and Shinehead, Jagwa was an active member of his Port Henderson Primary School’s music group which entered festivals yearly. Passing his common entrance exam and attending Kingston College only made his love for music more apparent as he remembers beating desks and clashing other classrooms with friends singing their favorite artistes songs. It was fundamental to JAGWA’s parents that he understood the importance of education first and so he migrated to Bermuda where he attended Sandy’s Secondary School and Cedarbridge Academy where he completed his education before returning to Jamaica to live with his mother and siblings in the Cassia Park area of St. Andrew, where he officially began to chase his dream.
In 2001 JAGWA got the opportunity to write a song ‘Jamaica’ for Alozade which was recorded on the Martial Arts rhythm. ‘Jamaica’ became a hit and the skills JAGWA had to offer finally became noticed by the rhythm producer Cordel ’Skatta’ Burrell who immediately recruited him as an exclusive song writer. This collaboration led to JAGWA writing songs for artistes such as Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Merciless, Harry Toddler and Cecile just to name a few. It wasn’t long before Bounty Killer picked up on JAGWA’s talents and he was welcomed by the self proclaimed ‘Grung Gaad’ into the then Alliance family. The 2004 hit ‘Guinness By The Case’ finally catapulted JAGWA into the mainstream limelight where he received the recognition and respect he truly worked for and deserved.
Having no management whatsoever since his introduction into the mainstream, JAGWA learned the hardway that talent alone doesn’t count in the music business without proper representation and thus began educating himself on the business side of the music industry.
JAGWA later migrated to the US to work with international labels and producers such as internationally acclaimed producer DJ Snake with who he did a rendition of 'Move It', French Beats International with who he released 'Feeling Something’ and Jusskool Productions with who he released other songs such as ‘Dagga’ etc. JAGWA has now recently joined forces with the Jamaica based up and coming powerhouse label Collegeboiz Production founder and producer Owen ‘IBEZ’ Davidson, responsible for hits such as QQ’s ‘Ghetto Gal’, Spice ft Pamputtae’s ’Slim vs Fluffy’ etc and have together released his latest controversial single ‘Nobody’s Girl’ which touches on the topic of unfaithful women, a topic which has been the center of dancehall recently. Nobody's Girl is now available on iTunes and is getting major air play and gaining popularity in Southeast Asian Countries such as Malaysia and European Countries such as Switzerland and has recently began getting airplay in parts of South and North America and Jamaica as well as some parts of Africa. Stay tuned.
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