Relaxing under a palm tree with Jon Tarifa
"Just a young Albanian, dreaming of rocking stadiums, tap into your energy and penetrate your cranium with spoken words, the message in the poetry that will relax your mind like you're underneath a palm tree in CuraƧao, listen up you are now in tune with Jon Tarifa, this is how I get down"
- In my Pocket, Jon Tarifa
Many may claim to be an international artist, but Jon Tarifa surely earned his status as a musical cosmopolitan. He was born in Tirana, Albania and moved to the US when he was ten, where he first experienced the sounds and culture of hip hop. At the age of 15, he moved to the Netherlands where he started his career as a musician. After successful experiences with two rap groups, Jon still decided to start from zero and begin a solo career in 2011. That year he toured with CuraƧaoan artist Levi Silvanie and performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival CuraƧao. We had a chance to ask him about his new album and single, as well as his experiences on CuraƧao.
On May 30th of this year Jon Tarifa released his debut album as a solo artist āFree to Beā, something he has been dreaming about for a long time. In his own words, it finally felt like he was "the pilot instead of the passenger". After more than a decade of rapping, on his new album he explores different sounds. Jon describes his music as a fusion between hip hop, soul, jazz and reggae, and is always played live. During his tour with Levi Silvanie and his trip to CuraƧao, he had the time to write and work on his own music. His singles So Right and Focus were very well received on CuraƧao and in Albania, and reaching the top on the radio charts in the Netherlands. Along with Levi Silvanie, Jon worked with Robin Brock (England/Netherlands), Arman Kanun (Turkey), Mame Balla (Senegal) and producer Oscar Bor (CuraƧao), undoubtedly giving his music an international sound.
Jon's newest single featuring Mame Balla called We can make it is about being gone and away from home. He has seen many parts of the world like Bali, Monte Carlo, San Diego and of course CuraƧao. On CuraƧao Jon never felt more inspired to write, even mentioning the island in one of his songs. He explains that for the first time a place inspired him to write; the cool evenings sitting on the porch of Oscar Bor's home, drinking a Polar beer while making music. Beaches like Jan Thiel and Porto Marie were among his favorite places on the island, describing the beaches as warm and liberating. He also enjoyed relaxing at the seaside of the Renaissance Hotel having some cocktails. Jon has performed at impressive venues in the Netherlands, like Parkpop and on various stages on Queen's Night. But one of biggest events was performing at North Sea Jazz Festival CuraƧao, an event at which musicians like Alicia Keyz, Marc Anthony and Sting have performed.
So we can conclude that Jon enjoyed the relaxing island vibe of CuraƧao. Would he go back? "Hell yeah". He feels that he has some unfinished business on CuraƧao in the sense of relaxing, getting inspired, making music and performing outdoors. CuraƧao exceeded his expectations and he has recommended travelling to CuraƧao to many people. His album āFree to Beā is out, so don't miss out on feeling the inspiration and the worldly vibes of this diverse artist.
