Jeangu Macrooy – Worship (Video)

Jeangu Macrooy (pronounced as zjangú makrooi) was born and raised in the tropical warmth of Paramaribo. At the age of thirteen his parents bought him his first guitar and two years later Jeangu and his twin brother Xillan started writing and performing their own music. In 2014 Jeangu decided to continue his musical career at the other side of the ocean, in the Netherlands. He met producer Perquisite and was signed to his label Unexpected Records.

In April 2016 Jeangu’s debut EP ‘Brave Enough’ was released. The day of the release Jeangu was named ‘Serious Talent’ by 3FM radio, and the week after he played his first single ‘Gold’ at Dutch national talk show ‘De Wereld Draait Door’, where he has become a frequent guest ever since. ‘Gold’ was later used in a commercial for television network HBO. During the summer of 2016 Jeangu and his band played a multitude of summer festivals, after which he toured the Netherlands with Popronde in autumn. He also provided the support for Blaudzun, Remy van Kesteren, Bernhoft and Selah Sue, resulting in a total of 120 shows in just 12 months. In short, 2016 was a golden year for Jeangu, that was concluded with a performance at Eurosonic/Noorderslag and a nomination for an Edison Award in the category ‘Best New Artist.’

Jeangu’s debut album ‘High On You’ – for which he collaborated with Perquisite again – is more energetic and danceable than its predecessor. Melancholy still prevails in songs like ‘Circles’ and ‘Sleep You Off’, but generally the focus has shifted to a rawer sound that drives songs like ‘Crazy Kids’ – a duet with twin brother Xillan – and ‘Head Over Heels’. ‘Antidote’ and ‘High On You’ show Jeangu’s affinity with soul music. It is on tracks like these that his powerful voice is intensified by the addition of brass arrangements that can be heard on the majority of the album. The common thread throughout the record, however, is still Jeangu’s unique vocal capacity, that hypnotises in the low range and moves the listener in the high range.

‘High On You’ was released on Unexpected Records on April 14th, 2017. The record entered the album charts, became ‘Radio 1 CD of the week’, and received critical acclaim from the press. ‘Algemeen Dagblad’ gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and wrote ‘He’s only 23, but has a soul veteran-like depth in his voice. ‘High On You’ might be the best Dutch debut album of 2017.’ De Telegraaf added: ‘Your mouth will drop with surprise and admiration. What a way to start your career!’ Giel Beelen, 3FM DJ, said: ‘I bet this is going to be the release of the year’ and Oor Magazine called Jeangu ‘a newcomer that will really excite you’.

The release of the album will be celebrated with a club tour throughout the Netherlands. Besides the club shows, Jeangu will be playing an abundance of festivals, including North Sea Jazz, Lowlands, and Festival Mundial.

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