Jesswar, a proud Fijian rapper who currently creates on Yugambeh/Kombumerri land, releases her new single ‘Medusa’, which was given its first spin by triple j on Monday night. The track follows the recent release of ‘Venom’, a menacing reprimand at gatekeepers of the music industry. Three years in the making, both tracks form part of Jesswar’s upcoming debut EP TROPIXX out March 5th, 2021 on Inertia Music / [PIAS] Recordings who today formally welcome her to their roster.
‘Medusa’ hits you with the pace of a busy strip club shift, as Jesswar gives a call to arms to her community, Pasifika women who do what they need to do to survive – and do it together. It’s a march of many, come to take what’s owed to them, ‘we coming for the paper’; the sinister sirens recalling the state of surveillance that Jesswar and others like her know all too well, but also transforming into the ominous sound of targeted rage, the rage of women which is both threatening and mythologised, directed at colonisers, capitalists and police alike.
The ‘Medusa’ video was directed by Colin Jeffs & Kevin Bar, who also worked on the impactful ‘Venom’ video. “Working with Jess once again on making her vision a reality was yet another epic experience. Jess’s energy onscreen was so captivating and contagious that the camerawork and editing came naturally!”, says Kevin.
As the horns taunt a revised history, and punchy 808s command its rigid funeral march, Jesswar unpacks her deepest shades of red and tenacity through ‘Medusa’. “I was pawning all my things to get money to get by. Living that way gave me a different type of drive, a real hunger to never stop and get myself out of the gutter.” Her lance-shaped resolve was further sharpened by the influence of Pasifika excellence, watching women in similar circumstances pull themselves out of a rut. “I knew it could be on my cards too.”
Jesswar’s ruthless refusal of prescribed definitions is the foundation on which she builds her universe. Deeply inspired by her chosen community and her experiences she uses music as the vessel to tell her story. Her pride reflects on her resilience and resourcefulness and defends the notions of holistic interdependency and kinship. Jesswar has been supported by the likes of triple j, Billboard, PAPER, Refinery29, Mixmag and received praise from heavyweights such as Ebro Darden and Travis Mills. She has performed at Laneway, Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo, and collaborated with the likes of DZ Deathrays, Miiesha, Tasha the Amazon & Briggs.
The first member of her family to attend University, Jess is a peer support worker and runs music workshops for young people in the outer suburbs of Meanjin.
PRAISE FOR JESSWAR
“If raw, unapologetic ambition is a quality that’s been largely, necessarily absent in this ever-changing, plan-ruining dumpster fire of a year, then ‘Venom’ – the latest from Fijian rapper Jesswar – lands as an invigoratingly ferocious call to take what’s rightfully yours.” – DIY Mag
“a stunning single and video that sees the rising star laying down sick bars while backed up by a literal army of Pasifika women” – Billboard
“Jesswar likes to take her time when it comes to releasing songs, but when she does drop, the wait always seems to have been worth it.” – PAPER
“[A] force to be reckoned with” – Pilerats
JESSWAR ONLINE:
https://www.instagram.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@
https://www.youtube.com/
