Jidenna, whose full name is Jidenna Mobisson, has filmed a mini documentary in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria. Born and raised in the US, rapper Jidenna lived in Nigeria for part of his childhood.
Jidenna, whose full name is Jidenna Mobisson, has filmed a mini documentary in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria. Born and raised in the US, rapper Jidenna lived in Nigeria for part of his childhood.
Kris Connor/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for Pernod Ricard
"I want people to see us [Nigeria] as more than some Boko-Haram, terrorists, 419, kidnappers, there's more to it, we are people with hopes and dreams," he told CNN.
"I want people to see us [Nigeria] as more than some Boko-Haram, terrorists, 419, kidnappers, there's more to it, we are people with hopes and dreams," he told CNN.
Matthew Eisman/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for AWXII
"Enugu specifically was a place of academic dreams, academic excellence, my father was actually a professor so I grew up with that in my mind, I want to show people that side of both me and both us," he says.
"Enugu specifically was a place of academic dreams, academic excellence, my father was actually a professor so I grew up with that in my mind, I want to show people that side of both me and both us," he says.
Matthew Eisman/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Jidenna's new album 'Long Live The Chief' features him experimenting with the afrobeat sound and speaking in pidgin, showing the influence of his Nigerian roots.
Jidenna's new album 'Long Live The Chief' features him experimenting with the afrobeat sound and speaking in pidgin, showing the influence of his Nigerian roots.
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for Power 105.1's Powerhouse 2015
"I wanted to see [if] in the US, I can get a song on the radio that actually has pidgin in it? And I did it," the Grammy Award nominee said.
"I wanted to see [if] in the US, I can get a song on the radio that actually has pidgin in it? And I did it," the Grammy Award nominee said.
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for Power 105.1's Powerhouse 2015
"That's the beautiful thing... [my album] you can dance and shoki to it, in the larger context my album, it blends the different worlds that I've lived in."
"That's the beautiful thing... [my album] you can dance and shoki to it, in the larger context my album, it blends the different worlds that I've lived in."
Bennett Raglin/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for Power 105.1's Powerhouse 2015
With his hotly anticipated album on the way, Jidenna shows few signs of slowing down.
With his hotly anticipated album on the way, Jidenna shows few signs of slowing down.
Mike Windle/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for Epic Records
The US rapper hopes to make beats based on Nigerian proverbs. "I grew up with all these proverbs and I have to share it, I think it's the values and principles that makes my Nigerian identity a part of me."
The US rapper hopes to make beats based on Nigerian proverbs. "I grew up with all these proverbs and I have to share it, I think it's the values and principles that makes my Nigerian identity a part of me."
Kris Connor/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for Pernod Ricard