John Frog
John Frog | |
|---|---|
| Born | Aguek Michael Mahok Maming Turalei, Southern Sudan |
| Origin | Turalei, South Sudan |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Member of | Guondo Gang |
John Frog (born 1 January 1993) is a South Sudanese Afrobeat and Hip hop musician. He gained recognition for his hit song "Guondo Sakit," which became popular across East Africa.
Early life
[edit]John Frog was born and raised in Turalei Payam in Warrap State, South Sudan to Michael Mahok Maming and Akuel Manyiel Akok. Both of John Frog's parents hail from Twic Mayardit County of Warrap State. He speaks his native language Dinka, Juba Arabic, English and some Kiswahili.
John Frog started his educational career in the early 2000s in Turalei at St. Joseph Primary School where he completed his primary education. He later moved to Juba in 2006.[citation needed]
Both his parents were soldiers in the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), and he was a child soldier, joining the army when he was around 10 and receiving his first firearm at 14.[1]
Because of this background, John Frog did not have a smooth path completing his education in time, due to other factors, including the civil war which denied many South Sudanese children access to quality education. However, in 2014, John joined Juba Day Senior Secondary School where he completed his South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education in 2018.[citation needed]
He was named Aguek, which means "frog", because he was a breech baby. Before embarking on his music career, he used to entertain his school colleagues and friends, often telling them he would become a big artist one day. He completed his secondary education before fully venturing into music.[2]
Engineer career
[edit]John Frog began his music career in the early 2010s. He rose to fame in 2018 when he released a solo single "Guondo Sakit," a phrase in Juba Arabic meaning "a common person" or "just a villager." The song's success marked his entry into the music scene and established him as one of the biggest artists in South Sudan. He also did a remix of "Guondo Sakit" with Harmonize from Tanzania.[3]
Songs
[edit]| No. | Title | Featured artist(s) | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mangmang | – | – | – |
| 2 | Bugatti | – | – | – |
| 3 | My Pillow | – | – | – |
| 4 | Mara Wahid | – | – | – |
| 5 | Jena | – | – | – |
| 6 | Kiir Arac | – | – | – |
| 7 | Binia Hilwa | – | – | – |
| 8 | Celebrate | – | – | – |
| 9 | Kurify | – | – | – |
| 10 | Junubi Asili | – | – | – |
| 11 | Konjo | – | – | – |
| 12 | Ashan Tani Mara | – | – | – |
| 13 | Kur Ajing | – | – | – |
| 14 | Biniade | Late Emma 47 | Posthumous feature | – |
| 15 | Kebir Wara | – | – | – |
| 16 | Rabuna | T Manager | – | – |
| 17 | Action and Energy | – | – | – |
| 18 | Beledi | Jay Willz | – | – |
| 19 | My Bed | Iyanya | – | [4] |
Collaborations
[edit]John Frog has collaborated with various artists across Africa. Notable collaborations include:
- A remix of "Guondo Sakit" with Tanzanian star Harmonize, who discovered the song in a nightclub in Juba.[5]
- A remix of "Action and Energy" with Ugandan star Eddy Kenzo, sponsored by businesswoman Suzan Tot. The remix significantly boosted Frog's profile in Africa.
- "Beledi" featuring Nigerian artist Jay Willz.
- "My Bed" featuring Nigerian artist Iyanya.
- Collaborations with Bahati from Kenya.
- "Rabuna" featuring South Sudanese singer T Manager.
- "Aye" featuring Ugandan Afrobeat artist Dr Jose Chameleone
- A remix of "Dhuengdu" with South Sudanese artist Slatine Pro
Controversies
[edit]John Frog has been involved in a controversy with his first and former music manager, K2 (real name Koryom). K2 is credited with helping John Frog in his early music career but was later accused by Frog of using him for personal gain. Their public feud was eventually settled by K2's sister, businesswoman Achai Wiir.[6]
In 2021, he also fell out with his then manager Lucky Charm over managerial grievance. [7]
National recognitions
[edit]From April to May 2023, John Frog was voted among the top 10 best artists in South Sudan by fans and recognized by Eye Radio.[8]
Nominations and awards
[edit]- A nomination for the African Muzik Magazine Awards and Music Festival (AFRIMMA) in the Best Male Artist - East Africa category alongside artists like Khaligraph Jones, Eddy Kenzo, Diamond Platnumz, and Rayvanny.[9][10]
References
[edit]- ↑ "John Frog: From child soldier to South Sudan Afrobeat star". Nile Post. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ↑ "John Frog's Remarkable Story". BBC Sounds. 18 May 2024. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ↑ "John Frog, lady kola take war to Facebook as feud ends in tears". Sudans Post. May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ↑ "Ruger departs to Nigeria. "I will never forget this day"". Eye Radio. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ↑ "Audio: John Frog ft Harmonize - Guondo Sakit (Remix)". Citi Muzik. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ↑ "Music Africa News: SSTYA Awards All 2019 Nominees". City Scrollz. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ↑ Post, Sudans (2022-05-01). "John Frog, Lady Kola take war to Facebook as feud ends in tears". Sudans Post. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ↑ Ninrew, Chany (2023-06-18). "Eye Radio recognizes top South Sudanese tracks". Eye Radio. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ↑ "Gen Z dominate AFRIMMA 2022 nominations list". The Sun. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ↑ "Full list of winners at AFRIMMA Awards 2022". Sure Loaded. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2024.