Birth name James Dandu Name Cool James Years active 1988-2002 | Occupation(s) Rapper Origin Stockholm, Sweden Role Musical Artist | |
 | ||
Also known as Mtoto wa Dandu, CJ Massive Born July 5, 1970
Mwanza, Tanzania ( 1970-07-05 ) Associated acts Swahili Nation, Cool James & Black Teacher Died August 27, 2002, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Albums African Millenium, Mwana Mwari, Mwana Maria Similar People Swahili Nation, Les Wanyika, Daudi Kabaka, Safari Sound Band, Orchestra Super Mazembe | ||
link=
Cool James, real name James Isaiah Dandu also known as "Mtoto wa Dandu" and CJ Massive (July 5, 1970 – August 27, 2002) was a Swedish and Tanzanian musician.
Born in Mwanza, Tanzania and having finished his primary studies at Kurasini Primary School in Tanzania, he moved with his mother and siblings to Stockholm, Sweden.
His professional musical career started in 1988, he released his first musical album in 1992, already a dance-oriented production. In 1993 he got together with another East African named Andrew Muturi to form the group "Swahili Nation". After a while they let a brother of Andrew join the group, and after that yet another brother. James left and joined with a Congolese, Jose Masena and formed the group Cool James & Black Teacher. They released only two albums, the 1992 record Undercover Lover and the 1994 record Zooming You, which included the hit song "Dr. Feelgood".
A while after the Cool James and Black Teacher project, James moved back to Tanzania and started producing for East African artists as well as working on his own projects. He started the Tanzanian Music Awards in 1999.
Personal life
James had two kids, Caroline-Jamie, who he referred to as Malaika, born 1994, and Michael James Junior, born 1997. He mentions his kids in nearly all his songs, as well as his fiancee, Devota.
On August 27, 2002 James Dandu died in a car accident in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.