Takun J

1981–2005: Early life, career beginnings, The Time, and My Way Takun J was born on May 14, 1981, in Monrovia, Liberia. He grew up with his mother and three siblings. His father relocated to the United States when he was four years old. The song's release prompted two police arrests and a beating. Unfazed by the incident, Takun J performed on the day he was released from jail. In an interview with the Liberian Listener, Takun J said he released "Police Man" in order to create awareness about police negligence. Takun J performs at the annual two-day Hipco festival in Monrovia. Takun J was one of the acts featured on the remix of Xpolay's critically acclaimed 2012 single "Pot Not Bolling", which was produced by Yor-EL Francis. Takun J told the Liberian Listener that the song was well received because of its positive messages. On December 7, 2013, Takun J performed at the second annual Liberia Music Festival, which took place at Slipway Sports Pitch. In March 2014, the Daily Observer newspaper reported that Takun J signed a two-year endorsement deal with Lonestar Cell. As part of the deal, he is expected to perform at events sponsored by Lonestar Cell and MTN . Together with J. Martins, R2Bees, Scientific, Cypha D'King, Sweetz, and F.A., Takun J played at the Holiday Beach Jam in Congo Town on March 15, 2014. He works with UNICEF as an ambassador of music. ==Humanitarian work==

Anti-rape campaign Takun J became an ambassador for the Liberian Gender Ministry's anti-rape campaign, and was responsible for highlighting rape issues in the country. In order to galvanize communities to take action against violence towards children, UNICEF and PCI-Media Impact organized a series of six concerts, which was part of an expansive campaign to halt the abuse and exploitation of children in Liberia. The first concert in the capital of Grand Bassa County was headlined by Takun J on June 14, 2014. The event featured additional performances from Peaches, Nasseman, and comedian Kpakala Kpokolo. It also included a poignant video highlighting the issue of child rape. Anti-corruption campaign On May 19, 2014, Takun J released "Gbagba is Corruption", a conscious song that is based on the children's book Gbagba (2013). The book was written by Robtel Neajai Pailey, a former doctoral student at SOAS, University of London. Pailey was inspired to write the book in order to give children the verbal tools to question the ethical and moral values of adults around them. The book received critical acclaim and has been adopted as an anti-corruption children's primer by the Liberian Ministry of Education. ==Physical altercation with Edwin Snowe==

On June 17, 2013, Takun J had an encounter with Edwin Snowe after narrowly escaping a head-on collision with Snowe's vehicle. The incident between the two individuals occurred near the Mamba Point diplomatic community. Takun J said Snowe pulled him out of his car and punched him several times. Snowe confirmed the occurrence of the incident and admitted to punching Takun J. After the incident had died down, Takun J wrote a formal complaint to the House of Representatives of Liberia about the punches he received from Snowe. ==Discography==

Studio albums • The Time (2007) • My Way (2012) Singles (partial) Guest appearances ==Awards and nominations==