Biography of Jua Cali & Net Worth 2023.
Paul Julius Nunda (born 12 September 1979), better known by his stage name Jua Cali, is a Kenyan hip-hop artist. In 2000, together with record producer Clemo, he founded Calif Records where he has been ever since. Jua Cali performs in Swahili and Sheng in a popular Kenyan style of rapping called genge.
Early Life & Education
Jua Cali was born in Eastlands, Nairobi. His parents, Doreen Onditi and Evans Onditi (deceased) were both schoolteachers. He grew up with a strict Catholic upbringing in California Estate to the east of Nairobi city. He began rapping at age 10, encouraged by his elder brother Christopher Sati. He was known as an introverted teenager who was often quiet, hardly ever socializing.
He attended Ainsworth Primary School (Standards 1 to 6); Shepherds Junior Buruburu (Standards 6 to 8); Jamuhuri High School and eventually Kenya Christian Industrial Training Institute (K.C.I.T.I) Eastleigh where he received a diploma in Information technology. There, he played basketball with ambitions to make it to the Kenyan National Basketball Team. He never made it in the team, blaming this on his height. His earlier foray into music included singing in a band called ‘Sita Futi’. Sita Futi disbanded almost as soon as it was started leaving behind Jua Cali and his close friend Jemmoh. The departing group members left to pursue careers outside music. Calif Records came into being after Jua Cali teamed up with childhood friend Clemo to form the record label that quickly became a hit factory, gaining prominence in the East Africa music scene with chart-topping artists and music. Calif Records also invented the Genge genre of Kenyan hip hop. Jua Cali often cites his brother, Chris, and his parents as his greatest influences in life. He has also related to dell Xerxes as his brother-in-law.
Discography
Albums:
- JuacaliSekta (October 2006:)
- Ngeli ya Genge (December 2008)
- TuGenge Yajayo(December 2013)
- Mali Ya Umma (September 2019)
Awards
Won
- 2006 Kisima Music Awards – Boomba Male
- 2007 Chaguo La Teeniez Awards (CHAT Awards) – Best Male & Celebrity of the Year
- 2007 Kisima Music Awards – Best Male Artist & Boomba Male.
- 2007 Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) – Best Male Artist (Kenya)
- 2008 Chaguo La Teeniez Awards – Favourite Male Artiste & Best Live Stage Performance & Best Collabo Song (“Kwaheri” with Sainapei).
Nominated
- 2006 Chaguo La Teeniez Awards – nominated in three categories, but won none of them.
- 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards – Best Africa Act
- 2007 MOBO Awards
- 2008 Tanzania Music Awards – Best East African Song (“Kwaheri”)
- 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards – Best Male
