Jesswar

Born in Canberra, Jesswar grew up partly in Fiji and partly on the Gold Coast, Queensland. She left home at 16 years old,[2] studying music at TAFE Queensland, and later at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.[3] In 2012 she formed a four-piece pop rap band, Sneeky Picnic, with fellow students.[4]

With Sneeky Picnic, Jesswar performed at the Big Day Out festival in 2013 and 2014.[5] Jesswar also formed a duo with fellow Fijian rapper Lane-Harry in 2013, releasing an EP which reached the top 20 in the iTunes hip hop charts.[6][7]

Jesswar's first release as a solo artist was "Savage" in 2017. She also signed with Golden Era Records.[8][9] In 2018 she performed at St Jerome's Laneway Festival,[3] and was the opening act for Flo Rida.[10] By 2019, Jesswar had collaborated with artists including Tasha the Amazon, Okenyo, DZ Deathrays, and B Wise.[11]

In 2021, Jesswar signed a global deal with PIAS Recordings.[12] She also dropped her debut EP Tropixx,[2][13] including the singles "Medusa" and "Venom", the latter of which won in the hip hop/rap category at the 2021 Queensland Music Awards.[14] Later that year, Jesswar released a Rihanna-inspired collaboration with Texan rapper Erica Banks: "Bad Like Riri".[15]