biography

Born December in Nairobi, Kenya, Jahawi first started out as a DJ playing mainly local kenyan music, ragga and some hip hop. Learning his skills from Kenya's top DJ troup 'The Homeboyz', his first moving experience with electronic music was in 2000 when he heard the Lange remix of the dj sakin & friends "protect your mind". Through some of his sister Ayako's friends he was introduced to DJ Tiesto's "Magik" album series and other electronic music. He found a certain soul and depth, which he felt lacking in the more urban genres and so he was hooked. Later on, while in school in South Africa, where the electronic music scene proved more advanced, he was able to explore the genre, especially the afro house side of things.

It was at this point that the 6:AM movement in Kenya started, where the same group of friends who introduced Jahawi to trance decided to organise dance music events around Nairobi. Having returned to Kenya, Jahawi was able to test out his new sound. Due to the fact that the dance scene was not yet evolved in Kenya, Jahawi had to be versatile within the genre and so was able to play from bouncy Afro-Latino sets up to driving tech-trance sets. This versatility and comfort helped shaped his style and sound to the crazy style it is today.

With a fresh approach to the dance scene in Kenya, Jahawi's fame grew, as did the success of 6am entertainment. All thisculminated in the New Years Eve "Beachlife" parties, which attracted over 2000 people onto Diani beach, Kenya to dance into the new year. From 2004 till 2006 Jahawi attended college in Wales and took a break from Djing, only playing out at the Beachlife Events and run ups. Nevetheless. during this period he started experimenting with Piano and guitar, learning from his friends and teaching himself. Jahawi picked them up these new skills at an astonishing rate, leading him to start attempting to compose songs.

The desire to always take it one step further drove Jahawi to move to London in January 2007 and enroll in a 2 year Music Production and Sound Engineering Diploma course at the highly acclaimed and award winning Point Blank Music College in Hackney. At the time he also got a job with Fatboy Slim's Southern Fried Records. With access to top of the line equipment, world class tutors and a insight into the music industry, Jahawi wasted no time and put his skills into action. His first release was a remix for non other than house guru Armand Van Helden, which was released on major US label ULTRA Records, Southern Fried Records UK and a host of other labels worldwide including [PIAS] in Australia and SHEER in South Africa. Soon after that Jahawi got to work on yet another Armand Remix, which came out on the highly acclaimed Ghettoblaster Remix package, released worldwide on major labels. 2009 has also been a fruitful year, with the summer release of Jahawi's first E.P. "Kenya" (Insatiable records) as well as remixes for other artists. Now, the world awaits Jahawi's second single, "It's You", which was picked up by Lyon Echo Records USA (2009).

DJing wise, Jahawi's first UK club appearance was at London superclub Fabric. In the same year, he also secured a spot in the line-up at the 'Malawi Lake Of Stars Festival' - an event in aid of UNICEF, held on the banks of Lake Malawi - with some of the world's top Djs. The event was covered by BBC Radio 1, MTV DANCE, Mixmag, Channel O, The Times and others. Playing back in Kenya at 'Sexy Saturdays' in August 2007 with 6:AM Entertainment, Jahawi made sure not to forget where he came from. Nevertheless, he soon travelled to the USA, headlining at 'Eurobeat 07' in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The year finally culminated in his power set at the Foam Rush on New Years Eve 2007 in Diani, Kenya.

Spending his time juggling between studio and behind the decks, Jahawi is preparing to take his high energy, crazy music and infectious vibe to the world!

Having also made appearance's on Kenya's Capital FM and international radio station DI.fm, Jahawi has already achieved what no other Kenyan dance artist/dj has ever before, cementing himself as one of Africa's top Djs and an internationally renowned producer... and this is all just the beginning!