Jibril Blessing (born 15 April 1988),[1] professionally known as J Blessing or jblessing, is a Kenyan cinematographer and music video and television producer and director. He is the cinematographer and director of the TV comedy series The Churchill Show.

J Blessing
Born
Jibril Blessing

(1988-04-15) 15 April 1988 (age 36)
NationalityKenyan
Occupation(s)Filmmaker, music video director, cinematographer
Years active2008-present
Notable workChurchill Show director, Link Video Global, Keep Pace Africa, Digitone Agency
Websitewww.jblessing.com

Early life and education

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Blessing grew up in the suburbs of Komarock Phase 2, near Zone 3 and started out as a dancer.[2] He studied at the Los Angeles Film School in California.[3][better source needed]

Career

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After working as a freelance video director and producer, Blessing founded Link Video Global, a production company based in Nairobi.[2][4] He also owns Digitone Agency[5] and is co-founder and CEO of Keep Pace Africa.[citation needed] Musicians and producers who credit him for starting their careers include Willy Paul[6] and music video producer Young Wallace.[citation needed]

Blessing is the longest-serving video producer on The Churchill Show.[2][7][8][9] As of December 2019 he was also developing new shows for the production company, Laugh Industry.[10]

Personal life

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Until 2017, Blessing was in a long-term relationship with Chantelle, with whom he had a son, who died young.[11] Since 2018, he has been rumored to be in a relationship with singer Avril and to have fathered a child by her,[12][1] but he introduced a different woman as his girlfriend in November 2018.[13] He is the father of singer Laika's first child.[14]

Awards and nominations

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
? Video Director of The Year Mwafaka Awards Won
2011 Best Video Director Groove Awards Won
2011 Best Video Director Mwafaka Awards Won
2012 Best Video Director Groove Awards Nominated
2013 Best Video Director Mwafaka Awards Won[15]
2014 Best Video Director Mwafaka Awards Won[15][16]
2014 Best Video Director Uganda's VIGA Awards Nominated[16]

Videography

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Video:inspire Artist: nameles
"Mpenzi" Willy Paul
"Koffi Yo" Master Piece ft Dk and Cabassa
"Beautiful People" Eko Dyda
"Conquerer" Joyce Omondi
"Sari Sari" Dk Kwenye Beat featuring Antoneosol
"My City My Town" Prezzo and Cannibal
"Prophesy" Exodus
"Just a Way" Kaberere and Mr Vee
"Msaidizi" Gloria Muliro
"Pendo" Guardian Angel
"We Be Happening" All Stars
"Zongelela" Soc
"Pokea Sifa" Lady Bee
"Yaweh" Denno ft Danco
"dace ya boss" Koffi Olomide
"still standing" Cindy Sanyu
"Tucheze" Ferre Gola ft.Victoria Kimani
"Baraka zangu" Rebecca Soki
"Hold Me" Monique ft. Ketchup

References

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  1. ^ a b Peris Wambugu (15 April 2021). "Avril celebrates J Blessing on his birthday". The Standard. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Elly Gitau (19 May 2020). "Meet J. Blessing one of most renowned cinematographers in Kenya". PD Online (interview). Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  3. ^ J Blessing Archived 2021-11-02 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 30 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Meet the Kenyan Production Company That Will Be Doing International Videos". Ghafla Kenya.[dead link]
  5. ^ Elizabeth Ngigi (14 September 2020). "J Blessing's firm owes me Sh400,000, says Brendah Jons". The Star. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  6. ^ Carole Ndanu (11 September 2015). "'The Man Who Discovered My Talent' Willy Paul Celebrates His 'Father' J Blessing". Niaje. Archived from the original on 2016-08-21.
  7. ^ Josephine Mosongo (5 July 2020) [3 June 2017]. "JBLESSING: I have paid my dues". Daily Nation. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  8. ^ Rajab Zawadi (3 December 2019). "Why J Blessing has yet again been kicked out of 'Churchill Show'". Nairobi News. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  9. ^ "'He has been fired so many times, he once tried sabotaging the show' Zeddy exposes Churchill director J Blessing". Mpasho. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  10. ^ Richard Kamau (6 December 2019). "Churchill: J Blessing Not Sacked, Working on New Shows". Nairobi Wire. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  11. ^ Caren Nyota (20 April 2017). "J Blessing FINALLY breaks his silence after being dumped by partner". The Star. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Pregnant Avril gets Sh3.5m BMW gift from 'secret lover'". Nairobi Nation. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  13. ^ "J Blessing introduces beautiful girlfriend. So who's Avril's baby daddy?". Ghafla. 12 November 2018.
  14. ^ Caren Nyota (6 May 2021). "J Blessing's Baby Mama Laika Welcomes Child with Mzungu Hubby". Tuko. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  15. ^ a b Link Press (19 August 2014). "J Blessing Wins Video Producer Of The Year For The 2nd Time In A Row". Ulizalinks.co.ke. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  16. ^ a b David Koech (30 April 2014). "J Blessing Nominated For Uganda's VIGA Awards". Nairobi Wite.
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