Groovy Jo
“Infectious confidence through lyrical prowess encouraging women to be their unapologetic selves”
Genre: Rap
Origin: Kenya
PRESS:
Music In Africa - Kenyan rapper Groovy Jo drops second EP Pressure
Tunes All Day - Stream Groovy Jo’s new EP titled Pressure
Le Afrinique: Stream Some April & May New Releases
Hip- Hop Africa: Groovy Jo ushers in the pressure season with a new EP
The Rise Of Groovy Jo: Unpacking The Captivating ‘Pressure’ EP
Groovy Jo ushers in the pressure season with a new EP
Kenyan rapper Groovy Jo drops second EP Pressure
"'Shrap Over the Rest': The Rise of a Kenyan Genre For the Youth, By the Youth" NATIVE MAG
"For The Girls: How Women's Place in Kenyan Music Continues to Evolve" NATIVE MAG
"Groovy Jo- The Groovy Way MIXTAPE REVIEW Kenya" Moto Moto Music
Groovy Jo Drops Percolating New Single “FEELIN’ IT”
Online Stream
Groovy Jo uses her edgy, assertive lyricism to freely express herself as an unapologetic Black woman and encourages other women to be bold and themselves. Her energy and confidence are infectious and create a fun atmosphere for her audience. Groovy Jo is known for her word play and using her lyrics to call out people who undermine her talent because of being boxed in as a female rapper. She encourages more women to take up space and run the show, highlighting how women are actually the ones with power and that they should use it wisely.
25 years old, Groovy Jo is a rapper, singer, and songwriter who first started releasing music in 2018 when she met with ADF manager Musau who took her to the studio to begin working with producer Lemario. Musically, her sound combines trap, hip hop, drill, Afrobeats, ragga, and Afropop. She has released over twenty songs on all main digital streaming platforms, including her debut mixtape called “The Groovy Way” which dropped in April 2021. You can find a review of “The Groovy Way” here and here. She was on the Homeboyz Jumpman Freshman List and nominated for Best Female Artist in the 2019 Unkut Awards. She has worked with artists like Boutross, Kay Green and Asum Garvey and made the list of honorable mentions of 2021’s Best Rappers from Kenya as listed by Kulture Vulturez.
2022 brings The Deluxe Edition to The Groovy Way, including 5 new tracks with features by Boutross and Asum Garvey. Groovy Jo is expected to drop another album in late 2022 which will focus on showing her musical diversity including more singing and Afro inspired music. In 2023, Groovy Jo released her second project “Pressure.” This 8 - track EP shows her vulnerable side and explores new sounds to her music. She mixes both her rap and singing skills to tell us different stories about herself.
Selected Performances
2023 - East vs. West Rap Battle - Nairobi, Kenya
2023 - VIP Access with Anyiko Owoko - Nairobi, Kenya
2023 - The Jam - Occupy The Mall - Nairobi, Kenya
2023 - Nyege Nyege Festival - Kampala, Uganda
2023 - The Fanisi Experiment - Nairobi, Kenya
2023 - Strictly Kenyan: Shrap Edition - Nairobi, Kenya
2023 - Kipepeo Agency World Music Day Event - Nairobi, Kenya
2023 - Boutross Live - Nairobi, Kenya
2022 - True Denim Collective - Nairobi, Kenya
2021 - True Denim Collective - Nairobi, Kenya
202 1- Perform Music Incubator Showcase - Nairobi, Kenya
2020 - Nyege Nyege Festival - Online
2020, 2019, 2018- SHRAP NITE - Nairobi ,Kenya
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021- Various Performances at the Alchemist - Nairobi, Kenya
2018, 2019- Open Mics at J’s - Nairobi - Kenya
Nominations
2019, 2020, 2021, 2023 - Best Female Rapper at the UNKUT
Incubators
June - August 2021 - Perform Music Incubator
“The Groovy Way (Deluxe Edition)” 2022
“The Groovy Way” 2021
Discography
“Pressure” 2023
“No Attitude” 2020