After a few years out of the public eye, JR is back in business. He spoke to Therese Owen about his journey since making the circle bigger, the impending release of his new album and invited her into the studio to hang out with him and the dangerous Flabba.
While Shakira’s Waka Waka was the official 2010 Fifa World Cup anthem, South Africa had its own unofficial anthem – JR’s Make the Circle Bigger. Ask any South African to sing the song that reminds them of that wonderful time and they will immediately click into that accent: Make the circle beega, beega!
JR (pictured) was on a roll at that time. Aside from the commercial success of the track which made him the star of that year, he also won R1 million on Tropika Island of Treasure.
Then he released Cool Forever. The public did not respond well to it. At the time, he also became media-shy, not wanting to do many interviews, and in the few that he did grant, he was iffy.
Then he totally disappeared from the public eye. While more and more rappers were doing cameos in each other’s songs, JR was nowhere to be found.
Now he has bounced back on to the scene with the big hit Bob Mabena, and his new hit Soena Papa, is working on a new album with a planned release for March.
The JR I meet in Melville is a far cry from the one I met a few years back. The man is back to his exuberant, funny self. He is that bubbly, confident, bold character whom people are naturally attracted to. But at the same time, this intelligent man is sensitive, incisive and does not stand for bull. He is also one of those rare artists who understands the business side of things.
When I raise the question of Cool Forever he replies: “Cool Forever is my best album so far. After the success of Make the Circle Bigger I wanted to speak to people outside of my comfort zone. What the album represented was freedom. I had total control in terms of the music. I worked with different people like Louise Carver and AKA.
“However, after the recording I wasn’t in the right headspace. I wasn’t happy with my record company.”
He says the success of 2010 was like winning the Lotto: “I never planned it. I could have ridden the wave, but music grows you organically. You grow the way music wants you to. It’s about making the best music.
“I am the Steve Biko of rap. I write what I like. 2009 to 2011 were the happiest years of my life for all the wrong reasons. I almost got diluted. Fame is an expensive drug.”
So he turned his back on the appearances at all the right parties and went underground, focusing on two of his many talents, songwriting and producing. AKA has JR to thank for his big hit, Congratulate.
Among his other successes are hits for Shugasmakx and DJ Dimplez. Now he is working on a new album which, judging by the first two singles already released, is going to put him back on top.
“I lost my way for a while because I wanted to impress. Shugasmakx made me realise who I am. He has been the biggest influence ever. Life is not about impressing, it’s about expressing. I am a creative and I am enjoying the quality of life right now. My suburb is full of Afrikaans people and they don’t give a f*** about how famous I am.”
When he mentions that he is going back to the studio in 44 Stanley to work on a song with Flabba, my heart leaps with joy. This I have to see, even if it’s just for a while. Two of my favourite rappers and human beings working in studio on a song together! Yayeee.
Also, I have been in studio with JR before and it was loads of fun. He was working with Da Les and Ishmael on a track in Cape Town. Although there was a producer present, it appeared that JR was captaining that ship, as easy-going and full of jokes as he was. The man has an underlying focus when in the studio and knows exactly what he wants. Like all good producers, he is not afraid to experiment to find the right sound.
I arrive a few hours later and peek in. Flabba is with some homies, quietly reciting lyrics. JR is in the booth recording his rhymes. He comes out and is in a happy mood. This is his environment. We greet warmly and I notice that Flabba has lost weight. JR looks at Flabba and smiles: “I always tease Skwatta Kamp members – ‘you’re so old. Why do you talk so loud on the radio? It’s not old-school Selimathunzi.’”
The two then listen to the bridge done by Flabba: Right time, f****** wrong place. I smile to myself in happiness. Flabba always adds that tsotsi/kwaito angle to every song he is featured on.
The two work well together, bouncing ideas off of each other. The music flows through Flabba and JR is definitely the producer. Yup, by the looks of things, we are in for the welcome return of JR.