Jaguar Jonze + Shungundzo Rework “WHO DIED AND MADE YOU KING?”

November 30, 2021 BY Nettwerk

 

Taiwanese-Australian multimedia artist and 2022 Eurovision Australia Decides delegate Jaguar Jonze has released a special rework of “WHO DIED AND MADE YOU KING?” featuring Zimbabwean-American activist, artist, and poet Shugundzo with additional production by Grammy-nominated producer Rob Cohen (Beyoncé, Portugal. The Man, Dua Lipa).

‘WHO DIED AND MADE YOU KING?’ was created in response to Jaguar Jonze’s ongoing #MeToo advocacy and support of survivors within the Australian music industry, with Shugundzo bringing a punchy new verse over the musical rework.

Shugundzo and I have been on each other’s radars for some time, and people have told us both forever that we need to meet and work together,” explains Jaguar Jonze. “Even without a meeting, we realized that we’ve had similar experiences and shared values in terms of how we balance our artistry and our advocacy. I think that made for an organic and authentic collaboration; it felt like it was fate.”

Raised in Zimbabwe, Los Angeles-based Shugundzo has lived many lives, a stint on Zimbabwe’s national gymnastics team; a Stanford University engineering major; a political journalist – she is an activist, poet, and rising musical star whose 2021 full-length I’m not a mother, but I have children invited listeners on a journey of self-reflection and motivation to look both within and beyond themselves to make a change in the world. It was hailed as “completely unique and individual” (Zane Lowe), “powerful” (PAPER), with Flood stating, “​​Shungudzo makes flipping off the white supremacist patriarchy feel as refreshing as a daily moisturizer.” This self-reflection and motivation to make positive change in the world united these artists below the surface to collaborate on this new rework.

About the track, Shugundzo says, “While we firmly address the men who grossly misuse and abuse their power, let’s not forget to softly address the boys who will become men someday. We can’t create a safe and equitable world for all present and future non-men if we don’t address all boys. So what I wanna say, more than anything, is boys — cry your pain, show your love, feel your feelings, find solace in and give solace to each other. To chase power, as society teaches most boys and men to do, is to always feel inadequate. It’s to get caught in a cycle of power and inadequacy that doesn’t end well for anyone, including you. So instead of power, chase love — first and foremost by loving yourself. Love will gain you more, lasting, respect than fear ever will.”

..nothing short of a manifold visionary” (Flaunt), Brisbane-based singer, producer, songwriter, and multimedia artist Jaguar Jonze is proud to release the ‘WHO DIED AND MADE YOU KING?’ project as the first step into a new chapter. Recipient of the 2021 Done Good J Award and 2021 AIR Outstanding Achievement Award in honor of her work raising awareness to ensure that all music industry practitioners operate in a safe and respectful environment, Jaguar Jonze continues her advocacy work as part of the Temporary Working Group. ‘WHO DIED AND MADE YOU KING?’ follows earlier releases, the Diamonds & Liquid Gold (2020) and ANTIHERO (2021) EPs.

About Jaguar Jonze:

Jaguar Jonze and its adjacent projects, the narrative illustration project Spectator Jonze and the gender-subverting photography project Dusky Jonze, are powerful ways in which Deena Lynch has always processed her most intimate vulnerabilities while empowering others to do the same. Deena’s meticulously realized work has earned her the partnerships with brands like Christian Louboutin, Reebok, BMW, Obey and Stüssy, and an abundance of the press (FLAUNT, PAPER, V Magazine, VICE, Refinery29, Fashion Journal, Talkhouse, Vogue Australia, Marie Claire Australia, the cover of NME Australia) praising her commitment to confronting social ills and breaking stigmas. The enigmatic yet vulnerable songwriter continues to deliver defiant ferocity on “WHO DIED AND MADE YOU KING?” the first single from a forthcoming debut album.