J Blessings, real name Jibril Blessing Mahmud Hussein, was born in Nairobi’s Kayole estate on 15 April 1988. He is one of the most notable Kenyan cinematographer, music video and television producer and director. His looks and profession has seen him date top celebrities.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
J Blessings Background
The 35 year old was born in a Muslim family before he converted to Christianity. He was raised by a single mother in Kayole estate who died when he was nine years old. She was 24 years old at the time.
J Blessings had to move in with his uncle who lived in Komarock. He continued with his education until he decided to join Pastor Muiru’s church in Komarock.
The cinematographer was drawn to the church because he loved dancing and this would provide him with the perfect platform to do just that.
He joined the church youth group, Maximum Melodies, that was under the leadership of Andrew Young.
This contributed to his conversion to Christianity, a decision that got him kicked out by his uncle.
“…He kicked me out of his house and I went to live in the streets. I would sleep on the corridors and persevered many a cold and rainy nights” he told a local daily.
Education
He dropped out of school in class five but did not stop going to church. To meet his needs, he got a job in a hotel where he cleaned and ran errands. His headmaster learned about his predicament and took him back to school but he kept his job at the hotel.
Jibril was to meet a Congolese pastor (turned sponsor) who was empathetic to his situation and decided to take him in. He completed his primary education but could not proceed to secondary school because his sponsor could not afford to pay the fees.
It’s during this period that he learnt of his grandfather who had relocated to the US many years ago and decided to look for him.
“I looked for his address and wrote him a letter explaining my situation. He was old then to even read the letter and had been moved to a home of the elderly, so it landed on someone else’s hands” he told DN.
“This person, a Kenyan living in the US, was eventually to become my sponsor”
The producer went on to attend Pumwani Secondary School and later moved to St Michael’s in Ruai.
Through the same sponsor, he got a school in Los Angeles where he studied cinematography for two months.
J Blessings Career Growth
With the little savings he had, he purchased a computer and started making beats for the likes of Eko Dydda, Mr Seed and Hopekid.
J Blessings recalls being paid Ksh10,000 for producing a whole album for two weeks. He started out as a dancer, then a gospel artist singing worship songs before he got interested in audio production.
His journey led him to directing Churchil Show and has gone on to accomplish alot in the local entertainment scene.
J Blessings Baby mamas
His story is incomplete without mentioning his famous baby mamas, atleast those in the public domain.
J Blessing has a son with Mwende Macharia who is nine years old.
Another baby mama is Laika, who shares a daughter with the super producer. She, however, has no kind words for the father of her daughter,
“I was in a relationship with J Blessing but he left me. I was hurt, so I took a break. Yes, he denied the pregnancy, I do not like talking about this issue. He helped for a while after the delivery but for now he does not do anything,” she told Milele FM.
Chantelle
He had a daughter with Chantelle who died when she was only six months old.
Avril Kenya
The relationship with J Blessings was kept under wraps until recently. Avril
made headlines when she shared her photo with a bruised face claiming that J Blessings had physically assaulted her. The two have been together now for seven years and have a son together.
Awards
In 2011, he received the Groove Awards Video Producer of the Year, a testament to his prowess in crafting compelling visuals.
Three Mwafaka Awards and Kubamba Music Video Awards.
