JK (aka Jordan Katembula)

Real Name: Jordan Katembula

Now firmly established as the leading Zambian musician of his generation, J.K. has made a tremendous impact of our country's music scene over the past couple of years.

Since we unleashed his phenomenal self-titled debut album back in December 2001, Jordan Katembula has dominated Zambia's music scene and established himself as a the leading artist of his generation. During 2002, J.K. went to receive a Ngoma Award as well as a KORA Award nomination. He has performed in London, New York, and South Africa. In addition, he has got critical acclaim and massive public support from his many concerts and appearances.

J.K.'s second album Helena was released in May 2003 and album features a wonderful guest appearance by Zimbabwean music legend Oliver Mutukudzi on a track called Dzokera.

His family and educational background: The fifth son of both a businessman and woman, Jordan was born in 1978 at Ndola Central Hospital. He concluded his junior school at Chilengwa Basic School in Ndola and later proceeded to Lubuto School, where he completed his secondary education. Jordan started embracing music with his peers as early as the age of eight whilst in his fourth year of junior school.

"I was always singing (at home, school), always, but I chose to keep it to myself-may be because at the time I was not confident enough to sing to an audience. I enjoyed it."

About Jordan's Musical Background:

Jordan stepped onto the show bizz gush in 1997 when he first recorded his demo at The Savoy Hotel in Ndola with a band known as The Ukwa Band. After huge applauses and credits, Jordan decided to trek to Lusaka for greener pastures where he met one of Zambia's well-renowned rap artists MC Wabwino at the Heritage Studio. It was at this point that J.K. was showcased when he featured on MC Wabwino's popular album Yamene Yamene.

"In 1999, I felt it was time to move on and create music and this prompted me to team up with a very good friend, Kelvin Mwesa and together formed a group called New Age and I became the lead vocalist. Initially, our intention as New Age was to produce a gospel album but then we conscripted our sound engineer and producer Sebastian Mutale and decided to change the whole gospel concept to something more secular instead. We released two albums; our well renowned debut 'Biyoyo' and 'Chikokoshi', which did very well too."

During the year 2000, Jordan also worked with the all-boy group Just Close and sang with them on their smash hit Twamilumbanya, which was featured on the Rhythm Nation Project.
—Courtesy Calabash Music