Biography
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, Jendau—also recognized by the name Congo Jesse—launched his performing career on sound systems including African Roots and Magnum Force. While still enrolled at Glenmuir High School, he issued his first recording, “Mind Jah Lick You With Disaster,” in 1982. Alongside his musical pursuits he excelled as a footballer, earning a scholarship to Vere Technical College. In 1985 he chose to focus fully on music and moved to New York. Returning to Jamaica in 1992, he cut the cautionary single “Rude Boy Remember” at New Name Music studios under the co-production of Derrick Barnett from the Sagittarius Band; the track established him as an international artist. The accompanying video, which highlighted less picturesque aspects of island life, drew objections from the Jamaican tourist board.
That visibility prompted Philip “Fatis” Burrell to bring him into the Exterminator crew. Touring worldwide with the collective, Jendau issued a string of releases such as “Ready Ghetto Youth” alongside Sizzla, “Rasta No Fear No-One,” “Mark Of The Beast,” “Israel,” and “Strong Black Woman.” His socially engaged outlook led dub poet and cultural radio disc jockey Mutabaruka to feature him regularly on Irie FM’s The Cutting Edge, where his commentary addressed topics including the Y2K controversy and correctly foresaw the failure of Jamaica’s nationalised banks. At Tony Rebel’s Rebel Salute Festival his performance earned strong praise; adopting a pattern similar to Capleton’s “More Fire” refrain, he repeatedly chanted “Israel, Israel.” Continuing into the millennium he delivered further successes with “Africa Ah Mi Land,” “Rasta Empress,” and “Give Me The Chalice.”
After departing the Exterminator crew he aligned with Cocoa Tea, who issued his debut album Knight Templar. While sustaining prominence in the Jamaican music scene, Jendau expressed a local orientation by visiting all fourteen parishes in the Rasta Revolution dancehall showcase. Honoring his earlier sporting scholarship, he customarily opened each event with a football match before activating the sound system.
That visibility prompted Philip “Fatis” Burrell to bring him into the Exterminator crew. Touring worldwide with the collective, Jendau issued a string of releases such as “Ready Ghetto Youth” alongside Sizzla, “Rasta No Fear No-One,” “Mark Of The Beast,” “Israel,” and “Strong Black Woman.” His socially engaged outlook led dub poet and cultural radio disc jockey Mutabaruka to feature him regularly on Irie FM’s The Cutting Edge, where his commentary addressed topics including the Y2K controversy and correctly foresaw the failure of Jamaica’s nationalised banks. At Tony Rebel’s Rebel Salute Festival his performance earned strong praise; adopting a pattern similar to Capleton’s “More Fire” refrain, he repeatedly chanted “Israel, Israel.” Continuing into the millennium he delivered further successes with “Africa Ah Mi Land,” “Rasta Empress,” and “Give Me The Chalice.”
After departing the Exterminator crew he aligned with Cocoa Tea, who issued his debut album Knight Templar. While sustaining prominence in the Jamaican music scene, Jendau expressed a local orientation by visiting all fourteen parishes in the Rasta Revolution dancehall showcase. Honoring his earlier sporting scholarship, he customarily opened each event with a football match before activating the sound system.