Tabure Thabo Bogopa Junior (born 12 March 1987), professionally known as JR, is a South African entrepreneur and musician. He frequently performs

Motswako Motswako is a subgenre of hip hop originating from South Africa additionally prominently popularized in Botswana. Mafikeng, the genre's origin point, is located close to the border of Botswana, where Setswana (Tswana) is predominantly spoken simi ...

rap, in both

Setswana Tswana, also known by its native name Setswana, is a Bantu language indigenous to Southern Africa and spoken by about 8.2 million people. It is closely related to the Northern Sotho and Southern Sotho languages, as well as the Kgalaga ...

and English. He has had two number-one hip hop songs as well as two number-one pop hits on South African charts.

Early life

Tabure was born 12 March 1987 in

Bloemfontein Bloemfontein ( ; ), also known as Bloem, is the capital and the largest city of the Free State (province), Free State province in South Africa. It is often, and has been traditionally, referred to as the country's "judicial capital", alongsi ...

, Free State province, South Africa. He was raised in the

township A township is a form of human settlement or administrative subdivision. Its exact definition varies among countries. Although the term is occasionally associated with an urban area, this tends to be an exception to the rule. In Australia, Canad ...

of Attridgeville in

Pretoria Pretoria ( ; ) is the Capital of South Africa, administrative capital of South Africa, serving as the seat of the Executive (government), executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to the country. Pretoria strad ...

, where he lived with his parents.

Career

''The Main Event'' (2008)

On 28 April 2008, JR released his first studio album under Electromode Music, ''The Main Event''. The single "Gata Le Nna", produced by 37 mph (Mpho Pholo of Reck Shoppe Tunes) and featuring Towdee was number 1 on both YFM and

Metro FM Metro FM is a national commercial radio station in South Africa owned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The station broadcasts on FM Stereo as well as the DStv Bouquet Channel 801. Telephone : History The station started broad ...

for over six weeks. The single won an award for "Song of The Year, Hip Hop" at the Hype Awards in 2008. The album was nominated in the "Best Hip Hop Album" in 2008 at the Metro FM Awards, also received a nomination nod at the 2009 South African Music Awards for "Best Hip Hop Album". JR subsequently signed an endorsement deal with

Renault Renault S.A., commonly referred to as Groupe Renault ( , , , also known as the Renault Group in English), is a French Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automobile manufacturer established in 1899. The company curr ...

SA.

''Colourfull'' (2009)

In 2009, JR released his second studio album, ''Colourfull''. His second single from the album, "Show Dem" featured rapper HHP and comedian Joey Rasdien, and was number 1 spot on several national radio stations. The single was nominated at the 2010 Channel O Music Video Awards for "Song of The Year". JR was subsequently featured in two editions of

MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...

"Base Nights", and signed an endorsement deal with Vodacom. JR collaborated with Die Heuwels and hip hop artist, Jack Parow, who raps in English and

Afrikaans Afrikaans is a West Germanic languages, West Germanic language spoken in South Africa, Namibia and to a lesser extent Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and also Argentina where there is a group in Sarmiento, Chubut, Sarmiento that speaks the Pat ...

. The two released their song "Show Goes On" which was originally written by JR himself for rock artist Khan of the band The Parlotones, who left for their world tour during the release of their album. JR also co-wrote "No More Hunger" for Khuli Chana, Tuks Senganga's "Tseo", Lonehill Estate's "Look Good", Louise Carver's "You Think You Got It Easy", "Jealousy" for AKA and co-wrote "Summa Yama Summa" for

Coca-Cola Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a cola soft drink manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company. In 2013, Coke products were sold in over 200 countries and territories worldwide, with consumers drinking more than 1.8 billion company beverage servings ...

. During this period he also discovered and signed rapper sensation Yanga Chief to his label Feel Good Music. Writing and producing a couple of records for Yanga Chief including his break out hit single Awuth'Yam featuring Kid X and AKA.

''Kool Forever'' (2012)

''Kool Forever'' was J.R's third studio album. Released under his record label, Feel Good Music, the album received mainly positive reviews, employing a mash up of electric hip hop and Kwaito. His first single "Phuma" received urban radio airplay. The second single "Muntu" was a mix of pop and mbaqanga, and was on frequent rotation on radio and TV music channels. The album featured the artists Prokid, Shugasmakx, Reason, Nokwazi, Cabo Snoop, AKA, Maxhoba, Louise Carver, DJ Dimplez and production by 37 mph.

2014

JR worked as a producer and writer on rapper Aka's latest album '' Levels'', writing the first single "Congratulate", which had success in the charts of several African countries. Shortly after that he produced and wrote DJ Dimplez' single "Way Up" featuring JR and

Cassper Nyovest Refiloe Maele Phoolo (born 16 December 1990), professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, record producer and amateur boxer. Born and raised in Mahikeng, North West (South African province), Nor ...

. He wrote and produced Shugasmakx's single "Trust It". Later in 2014 he released the single "Soena Papa" from an album planned for 2015. He has also released a single, "Deny", with Anatii. Towards the end of 2014 he signed rapper Shane Eagle to his label and went on to release the song that would change Eagle's career, "Way UP" featuring BigStar Johnson, along with a cappella super group Beyond Vocal.

2019

In 2019 JR and Feel Good Music signed duo Jobe London and Mphow69. Together, they released "Sukendleleni", on which JR is credited as co-producer and writer.

2021

JR and his partners founded FYVE, the first music distribution app in Africa.

2022

JR became a judge for the 18th series of ''Idols South Africa''.

Awards

*2009 SAMAS – Best Rap *2008 MTV Hype Awards – Best Hip Hop Record *2008 Metro Awards – Best Hip Hop Album *2010 Nigeria Sound City Awards – Discovery of the Year

Discography

The Main Event (2008)

Singles: ''So Hot'' ft TeePee (Prod. 37 mph), ''Gata Le Nna'' ft Towdee (Prod. 37 mph), ''Mathata'' ft SFS, Mnqobi (Prod. 37 mph), "Ole Time Feeling".

Colourfull (2009)

Singles: ''Aga Shame'', ''Show Dem (Make the Circle Bigger)'', ''Show Goes On ft. Jack Parow & Die Heuwels Fantasties''.

Kool Forever (2012)

Singles: "Muntu" ft Nokwazi, "Ek Smaak Jou", "Toast" with Dj Dimplez and George Avakian, "Imbizo" ft PRO and Shugasmakx

What a life (2017)

Singles:"vibing", "sauce", "Imin'iYeza"

Love Me Now (2018)

"heartless"

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:JR South African rappers 1987 births Living people English-language singers from South Africa