10 Things You Didn’t Know About JR

Tabure Thabo Bogopa Junior , popularly known by his stage name “JR” , is a South African rapper widely known for his versatile abilities in music which include “mostwako” rap. Motswako rap is a mixture of rapping in Setswana and English. Who could ever forget JR’s hit single “Make the circle bigger” from back in the days? He rocked Mzansi right? It was definitely clear from the onset that JR will take over the Hip Hop industry.

Here are 10 facts you probably didn’t know about the multi-talented JR…….. 

1. JR’s single “Make the circle bigger” garnered over 100,000 views  in just 4 weeks.

2. In 2008, JR released his first studio album under Electromode Music called ‘The Main Event’. The album’s ReckShoppe produced hit single ” Gata Le Nna” featuring Towdee became an instant hit on Urban Radio, holding the no.1 spot on both Yfm and Metro fm for over 6 weeks.

3. “Gata Le Nna” earned him an award for “Song of The Year , Hip Hop” – Hype Awards (2008) . This 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”

4. With the success of his brand at the time of “Gata Le Nna” , JR clinched an endorsement deal with Renault SA,.

5. In 2009 , JR released his second studio album , “Colourfull”. His second single from the album, “Show Dem” which became arguably the biggest hit of his career. The single features rapper HHP and comedian Joey Rasdien. Holding the number 1 spot in radio stations nationwide , it got nominated at the 2010 Channel O Music Video Awards for “Song of The Year” .

6. JR says he is a musician who doesn’t like to stick within boundaries and confines. He doesn’t work with formulas, he make music that stretches boundaries and challenges the norm.

7. With the success of ‘Show Dem’ JR landed a deal with MTV after subsequently headlining two editions of ‘Mtv Base Nights’, followed by a deal with Vodacom.

8. JR also co-wrote “No More Hunger” for Khuli Chana , Tuks’s “Tseo” , Lonehill Estate’s “Look Good” , Louise Carver’s “You Think You Got It Easy” , “Jealousy” for AKA and impressively co-wrote “Summa Yama Summa” for Coca Cola.

9. In 2011,  JR won the Tropika Islands of Treasure season 3 challenge. He won a prize of R1million

10. JR was born on March 12, 1987 in Bloemfontein, Free State province. He was raised in a small township in Pretoria called Attridgeville where he lived with his parents.