John Simon, aka Joh Makini hails from Arusha, a city with a highly credible "hard core" emergent Swahili hiphop scene. He has been involved in music since 1997 but it wasn't until 2004 that his name started to be spoken in almost reverential terms. This coincided with the release of "Hawapendi", quickly followed by "Hao". In 2006 the single "Chochote Popote" sealed his reputation and was a massive hit all over Tanzania.

In 2007 Joh Makini released his first album, "Zamu Yangu", followed by another string of hit singles including Ufalme, Muda, Niaje and Vip. Much of his musical success is due to never forgetting his roots, and working with Tanzania's leading hiphop and bongo flava producers, including Profesa Ludigo, MJ Records, Pasu kwa Pasu, Mandugu Digital (Nairobi), Lamar of Bongo Records.

Joh Makini's live shows are incendiary and he has already shared the stage with Jay Z, Ja Rule, 50 Cent as well as many of East Africa's finest.