Norwegian hiphop isn’t dead. It’s alive and kicking, and Jesse Jones is living proof.

Ever since the man from Groruddalen was “discovered” by Ken Ring almost 6 years ago, he’s been working exclusively with the Swedish rap legend and Norwegian hiphop’s godfather Tommy Tee. This has resulted in a handful of solid mixtape contributions and guest verses on a host of Norwegian rap releases. Amongst them the street single “Tyshar” which he recorded right after a short stint in the clink. Norwegian rappers got their passports well and truly stamped here…

His first official single, the street hit “Drabant”, was guested by the aforementioned Ken Ring and New York’s own Saigon, and has raised expectations considerably for the Oslo rapper’s debut album “12 blokker, 1 vei inn”. On the celebrity remix of “Drabant” (with Chiraq from Karpe Diem and Vinnie from Paperboys) Jesse shows that he can also hold his own with the more commercial and pop oriented Norwegian rappers.

The record “12 blokker, 1 vei inn” will be released in 2010. Those lucky enough to have witnessed the recording sessions characterize it as "The most authentic album a Norwegian musician has done since Espen Beranek Holm asked Norway to “Dra til hælvete” (Go to hell). Jesse Jones is a man whose music is guaranteed to engage the masses.