Jerome Arab (born December 27, 1990) is a Zimbabwean rapper, singer, songwriter, actor and director.
Jeromeo JJ first gained International recognition when his collaborated track “Party Up” with DJ Mark One was released in 2013, gaining over 112 000 views on YouTube, attracting more than 8 official remixes and several unofficial remixes, being played in nightclubs across the globe. This attained Jeromeo JJ number 10 most downloaded track in the world on Beatport. JJ has had several tracks in the top
100 Beatport tracks, holding this position for 7 days, and remaining in the top 100 releases for 19 days.
In May 2015, 2 more of Jeromeo JJ’s tracks were released internationally, “Midnight Lovin” by Jeromeo JJ ft Dirtybuzz and “My Love” by Jeromeo JJ, Kristof Tigran and Yan Garen off UI Records based in the Netherlands. “Turn on the Radio” which is pending release off Todd Terry’s label in the USA, InHouse Records.
Early life
JJ was born in Harare, Zimbabwe and was adopted by Yassim and Geraldine Arab and grew up with his cousin Renee, sister Ruwaida and a few years later his other adopted sister Fosia, Jerome was always surrounded by loving and caring figures. He attended Northpark Primary School and in his last year of attendance he held the title of Deputy Headboy, as well as captain of Cricket, Hockey, Swimming and Cross country. He showed signs of being a dreamer from a young age and everything he put his head to he achieved.
Jerome has been on stage in Zimbabwe since the tender age of six, performing in Reps Theatre productions such as ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Winnie the Pooh’. He then went onto feature in ‘The Herald’ Zimbabwe’s newspaper for his outstanding performance at such a young age.
He then focused on BMX riding and excelled within the sport locally, ranking third in his age group and winning various medals, he also partook in swimming and rugby before finding his way back to the stage.
In Jerome’s High School he focused on the performing arts and won 3 trophies in the Allied Festival of the Arts.
Career
2008 – 12: Musical beginnings and College
In 2008 Jerome moved to Manchester, England where he attended Manchester City College studying film and television and began recording music as a hobby. He began to make a name on the underground scene as a singer/rapper and went on to collaborate with several artists and producers. After college he filmed Manchester Metropolitans Green Impact Documentary
Film with Matthew Stanners, which went national, there after he started a Theatre company with writer/actor Courtney Hayles called Boundless and they took part in International Festival, ‘Contacting the World’.
In 2010, Jerome performed as the opening act on Dance Live UK for Britain’s Got Talent winner Tobias Mead as well as opening for 112, Gyptian and Omarion. 2011 saw Jerome being mentored briefly by Scott Brunton who was in XFactor’s top 10 in 2008. He worked with international songwriter Ian Devany, who wrote “Been Around the World” with Lisa Stansfield on one of his singles, opening for J.P. Cooper, Tyler Daley and KOF. In 2012 JJ recorded in Blueprint Studios, which has been the recording studio for several international artists such as Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna and The Wanted. It was also in this year that Jerome opened for Raekwon in Manchester and DJ’d on Fashion TV for Manchester Fashion week.
2013: Party Up – DJ Mark One ft Jeromeo JJ
Jerome visited Manchester Midi School and recorded “Party Up” with multi-platinum selling DJ Mark One, this song has 8 official remixes and several unofficial remixes, having reached the top 10 in Beatport’s charts and charting in 3 different countries. It was then that JJ collaborated with Richard Carroll AKA Dirtybuzz with the single “Midnight Lovin” which was aired on BBC introducing Manchester and played throughout Europe. Later that year Jerome returned to Zimbabwe where he collaborated with several local artists such as, Kelly and Kurt Rusike, Simba Tagz and Reverb 7. He was then cast as a “fake” housemate in the Big Brother Africa house.
2014 – present: Underrated Individuals and BBA
In 2014 Underrated Individuals partnership was formed with producer Gordon Donaldson and registered as a record label with its headquarters based in the Netherlands. Killertraxx Musik released “Never Know” in Italy which was a collaboration with French DJ, Yan Garen, attracting 3 official remixes.
Jerome was then selected as the Zimbabwean male representative in Big Brother Africa Hotshots, remaining in the house for the entire duration of the competition being the 5th finalist.
Presently Jerome is filming his YouTube series “Building Rome” and collaborating with several outstanding international acts as well as working on his album “My Vices” which is scheduled for release in early 2016.
Exclusive Interview with Jeromeo JJ
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Jeromeo JJ: A friend of mine on Twitter retweeted a status of yours and I decided it would be a good idea to share my music with a bigger platform.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Jeromeo JJ: I grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe with my adopted parents Yassim and Geraldine Arab, Yassim used to play guitar and sing in his room and at the tender age of 4 I would go and sing along with him. After watching Usher’s music videos on TV I told my mum that’s what I wanna be.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Jeromeo JJ: My aunty used to call me Jeromeo because she said I was so sweet and all my cousins called me JJ so I decided to put them together because there are so many artists with the names individually.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Jeromeo JJ: I give a lot of my music away and share it online because I make it for the world to hear, when the time is right I will drop an album for sale, but for now I’m happy with people hearing me do my thing, as long as I’m touching a life.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Jeromeo JJ: The day and age we live in is different to back in the 90s, nowadays for artists to make money they have to do weddings and corporate gigs. A tip would be use all the free sites to market yourself, Youtube, SoundCloud, Facebook, Twitter etc. Network like mad and don’t ever give up, no matter how tempted you may be… It’ll come, keep pushing.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Jeromeo JJ: I have performed live since I was 6 years old, mistakes still do occur but never stop singing or rapping or whatever it is you’re doing, most of the time the crowd won’t realise unless you show them.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Jeromeo JJ: My last tour was in Zambia, Africa. I was swarmed by women, kissed on the head by men, stripped by girls, and had many women confess their love for me. So nothing really interesting or out of the ordinary.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Jeromeo JJ: My songwriting inspiration generally comes from life, my experiences and where I’m at as a person, emotionally, spiritually, physically, whatever I’m going through. I don’t have a real process, I feel that my creativity and songwriting depends on how I feel, I work off energy.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Jeromeo JJ: My website is http://jeromeojjofficial.wix.com/jeromeojj for the moment. I share my music on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube – along with my Youtube series “Building Rome” https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC25NfOrlUx9u-fV_BkbUJIA, SoundCloud and Instagram.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Jeromeo JJ: So, I can’t really call this stuff embarrassing but I’m a big fan of UK artist JP Cooper, his tones, control and lyrics inspire me and he’s a personal friend.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Jeromeo JJ: Keep the half a million, I’d never take a year off.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Jeromeo JJ: Yeah, big studio upgrades are in the pipeline, just bought myself a new mic and working towards good soundcard, mixer, the works… I’ve been working from friends studios in Zambia, Zimbabwe and UK.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Jeromeo JJ: Over the years I’ve kept in touch with a lot of friends in the industry, I work at growing my network every day. I have a few thousand dedicated followers and they share my music through social media but I often send friends, radio DJs and stations my music too. The more my music is out there the better.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Jeromeo JJ: Stevie Wonder is an artist I’d love to sing a duet with but I’d love to rock out with Kurt Cobain and Travis Barker.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Jeromeo JJ: Later this year I will be releasing my album titled “My Vices”, it’s basically all about my downfalls and a few individuals in my life, people that touched me or added to the person I am today.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Jeromeo JJ: I’m a creative person, so as long as I’m creating something I’m good… probably making movies though!
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Jeromeo JJ: The first album I ever bought with my own money was in HMV, Manchester, England in 2008, College Dropout by Kanye West. I had listened to the album in Africa, but had never had the means or money to buy it, so I promised myself that when I had made my own money I would, and so I did.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Jeromeo JJ: I believe in people, it takes a lot of people to get you where you need to be, so, a lot of people have helped me along the way – I share the load.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Jeromeo JJ: Besides a bunch of great collaborations with African and international stars and my album, the release of my reality series Rome which we should start filming later this year. Fans should also look forward to Building Rome Season 2, it’ll be an experience like no other!
