J Boog

Fusing a West Coast sound with his Polynesian roots, Southern California musician J Boog brings Pacific Island influences to Caribbean reggae roots music.  

Born in Long Beach and raised in Compton, California Jerry “J Boog” Afemata was steeped in Samoan culture as the son of a Samoan chief. The youngest of seven brothers—and one sister who was one of his earliest musical influences.  He sang along to her piano when she brought home a Bob Marley songbook.  Other siblings introduced him to rap and R&B, which allowed J Boog a sense of freedom to be himself.  The variety of influences combined with reggae’s feel good sound set J Boog on a path to create his own distinctive fusion.

HIs 2011 breakthrough album “Backyard Boogie” topped the US Billboard and iTunes charts in numerous countries.  Hits included “Let’s Do It Again”, produced by legendary Don Corleon, and “Sunshine Girl”, produced by Gramps Morgan/Dada-son.   Backyard Boogie’s success earned J Boog the Best New Entertainer Award at the 2012 International Reggae and World Music Awards held in Chicago.

J Boog tours worldwide to enthusiastic audiences. This will be his fourth appearance at San Jose’s Music in the Park, where he continues to draw record numbers at shows that are among the musical highlights of the year.