Mojo Ruiz de Luzuriaga, known professionally as Mo'Ju and previously as Mojo Juju, is an ARIA Award-nominated Australian musician, best known for their 2018 album ''Native Tongue'' and the lead single of the same title. The single won the Best Independent Single category in the 2019 AIR Awards. They play

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected strin ...

and

piano The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keybo ...

, write songs and sing, and have created music in a number of genres. Mo'Ju has toured with international performers and their music has been featured in a number of television shows. Their identity is a matter of pride and they have spoken publicly and through their music about being

Wiradjuri The Wiradjuri people (; ) are a group of Aboriginal Australian people from central New South Wales, united by common descent through kinship and shared traditions. They survived as skilled hunter-fisher-gatherers, in family groups or clans, a ...

Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...

and queer.

Early life

Mojo Ruiz de Luzuriaga was born in regional

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

. Their father is Filipino, from Bacolod City, Negros and their mother is mixed race, of

and

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...

an heritage. Their family moved around the region when they were a young child due to their Father's work, but their grandparents lived in Dubbo where they attended high school. They have spoken openly about feeling like an outsider through their childhood and how this laid the grounds for their exploration of cultural identity in their work. Their father speaks, but did not teach them,

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

, Ilonggo or

Tagalog language Tagalog (, ; ; '' Baybayin'': ) is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by the ethnic Tagalog people, who make up a quarter of the population of the Philippines, and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, ...

. Mojo grew up around music with a number of musicians in their mother's family. They had a few piano lessons before starting to play the guitar aged eight. In a 2019 interview with

SBS TV SBS may refer to: Broadcasting * SBS Broadcasting Group, Belgium, formerly many countries * Talpa TV, formerly SBS Broadcasting B.V., Netherlands ** SBS6, Dutch television channel ** SBS9, Dutch television channel * Special Broadcasting Service ...

's '' The Feed'' Mo'ju said: "Traditions are really important and family histories give you an insight into your own identity. Songwriting is a huge part of keeping those oral traditions alive."

Career

Mo'ju has toured with international performers

Tony Joe White Tony Joe White (July 23, 1943 – October 24, 2018), nicknamed the Swamp Fox, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known for his 1969 hit " Polk Salad Annie" and for " Rainy Night in Georgia", which he wrote but which was first ...

Rufus Wainwright Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright (born July 22, 1973) is a Canadian-American singer, songwriter, and composer. He has recorded 10 studio albums and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written two classical operas and set ...

Aloe Blacc Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III (born January 7, 1979), known professionally by his stage name Aloe Blacc (), is an American singer, songwriter and rapper. He is best known for his singles " I Need a Dollar", " The Man", which topped the charts in t ...

and Australian artists including

Hilltop Hoods Hilltop Hoods is an Australian hip hop group that formed in 1996 in Blackwood, Adelaide, South Australia. They are regarded as pioneers of the " larrikin-like" style of Australian hip hop. The group was founded by Suffa (Matthew David Lambert ...

, Paul Kelly and Kira Puru. Mo'ju has performed live shows with artists such as

Hiatus Kaiyote Hiatus Kaiyote () is an Australian jazz/funk band formed in Melbourne in 2011, made up of singer/guitarist Nai Palm, bassist Paul Bender, keyboardist Simon Mavin, and drummer Perrin Moss. History 2011–2013: Formation and ''Tawk Tomahawk'' I ...

Ella Hooper Ella Keighery Hooper (born 30 January 1983) is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, radio presenter and TV personality. Hooper is the lead singer of Killing Heidi. The band formed in 1996 (when Ella was 13) and also featured her older bro ...

Kaiit Kaiit ( ), born Kaiit Bellamia Waup on 29 October 1997 in Papua New Guinea), is a neo soul singer from Melbourne, Victoria. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019 she won an ARIA Music Award in the category of Best Soul/R&B Release for "Miss Shiney ...

Sampa The Great Sampa Tembo (born 9 August 1993), known professionally as Sampa the Great, is a Zambian singer, rapper and songwriter. Between 2014 and 2020, she was based in Australia. Note: this source was an agency for the artist. Her debut solo album, '' ...

and

Emma Donovan Emma Donovan (born 1981) is an Aboriginal Australian singer and songwriter. She is a member of the renowned musical Donovan family. She started her singing career at age seven with her uncle's band, the Donovans. In 2000, she became a founding m ...

. Their music has been featured in a number of television shows including '' Underbelly: Razor'', '' Underbelly: Squizzy,'' '' Roadtrip Nation'' and ''Total Control''. Mo'ju was interviewed in the documentary film ''Her Sound, Her Story,'' along with a large number of high profile women in the Australian music industry.

2006–2010: Mojo Juju & The Snake Oil Merchants

Between 2006 and 2010, Mojo fronted a band called ''Mojo Juju & The Snake Oil Merchants''. The band released two independent albums, ''Mojo Juju & The Snake Oil Merchants'' (2007) and ''Sellin' You Salvation'' (2009) before splitting. A compilation of earlier material, ''Mojo Juju & The Snake Oil Merchants – Anthology'', was released in 2015 on European label Off-Label Records. to coincide with the release of German film '' Bestefreunde'', whose soundtrack was composed entirely of songs from the band's back catalogue.

2012–2015: Going solo

In January 2012, Ruiz de Luzuriaga released their eponymous (performing as Mojo Juju at the time) debut solo album on

ABC Music ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

. It featured the singles "Horse Named Regret" and "Must Be Desire", and was in a blues style, featuring a lot of guitar. In April 2015, they released their second solo studio album ''Seeing Red/Feeling Blue'', an album with more pop elements than the first, but touching on a range of genres. They used the piano to write it, and, wanting to develop a new sound, collaborated with their friend Ptero Stylus, who had been working with hip hop duo

Diafrix Diafrix are an Australian hip hop duo, Azmarino (Khaled Abdulwahab) and Momo (Mohammed Komba), which formed in 2001. Their music mixes funk, soul, reggae and dancehall. At the EG Awards of 2009, the won Best New Talent. Biography Azmarino (K ...

, as well as musicians from

soul In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being". Etymology The Modern English noun '' soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The earliest atte ...

acts the Putbacks and the Cactus Channel. It features the singles "A Heart Is Not a Yo-Yo" and "They Come and They Go". On 30 May 2015 Juju performed at

Vivid Live Vivid may refer to: Music * Vivid (band), a Japanese rock band * "Vivid" (song), by Electronic, 1999 *"ViViD", a 2016 song by Loona from '' HeeJin'' Albums * ''Vivid'' (Vivian Green album), 2015 * ''Vivid'' (Crystal Kay album), 2012 * ''Vivi ...

with the

Melbourne Ska Orchestra Melbourne Ska Orchestra are an ARIA Award-winning Australian ska band formed in 2003 in Melbourne. The group has up to 34 members, and is led by bandleader Nicky Bomba, formerly of the John Butler Trio. The band are signed to FOUR FOUR, an impr ...

at the Sydney Opera House.

2018-2019: ''Native Tongue''

In August 2018, Mo'ju's third studio album ''Native Tongue'' was released, after four years in the making. The album explored their family history, identity and race politics. They have spoken of the highly personal nature of the album and the single, saying they were about “allowing yourself to own all those different parts of who you are”. Responding to criticism by right-wing commentator

Andrew Bolt Andrew Bolt (born 26 September 1959) is an Australian right-wing social and political commentator. He has worked at the News Corp-owned newspaper company The Herald and Weekly Times (HWT) for many years, for both '' The Herald'' and its succe ...

, who described the title track of the album as a complaint, Mo'ju said that it was in fact an “expression of some complex emotions, such as grief for a loss of culture and Indigenous languages and other impacts of assimilation, colonisation and the white-washing of non-western cultures. This is not a song of self-pity, ut rather..a song of self-empowerment”. The Pasefika Vitoria Choir feature on the title track, which is produced by Malaysian-Australian hip hop artist

Joelistics Joelistics (born Joel Ma) is an Australian MC, producer and multi-instrumentalist, who is a member of the Melbourne-based Australian hip hop group TZU and a solo artist on the Elefant Traks music label. Early life Ma was raised in Sydney, Aust ...

; other artists on the album include Lay the Mystic, Mirrah, and Joshua Tavares. Mo'ju's brother, Steve "T-Bone" Ruiz de Luzuriaga, and Melbourne-based producer and musician Yeo, were the backing musicians on the track. Mo'ju said that performing this new material "reignited their passion and purpose for music", but has also spoken out about the way women of colour and other diverse artists have been subject to tokenism in the industry.

2019-2020: ''Ghost Town''

Chicago Tribune listed Mo'ju (then Mojo Juju) as one of the top 12 acts to showcase at SXSW in 2019. In May 2019 Mo'ju appeared as a featured artist on the single "Black Child" by Birdz. In June 2019 Mo'ju joined A.B. Original as a guest vocalist for their live performance on the SummerStage in Central Park in New York. In November 2019, Mo'ju released the collaborative EP ''Ghost Town'' with

2021: ''O.K.''

On 17 September 2021, Mo'ju released "Wave", the lead single from the forthcoming EP ''OK'', scheduled for released in November 2021. In a statement Mo'ju said "These are sad songs but they were also part of a healing process. Music is pretty special like that and I am extremely grateful to have the tools to express myself and process my feelings through a creative practice."

2022: Fourth studio album

In November 2022, Mo'ju released "Change Has to Come", the lead single from their fourth studio album, scheduled for released in March 2023.

Discography

Albums

Extended Plays

Singles

As lead artist

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The annual

AIR Awards The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. History The inaugural 2006 awards were held at ...

celebrate the success of Australian independent musicians. , - ,

AIR Awards of 2019 The AIR Awards of 2019 is the thirteenth annual Australian Independent Record Labels Association Music Awards (generally known as the AIR Awards) and was an award ceremony at Freemasons Hall Adelaide, Australia on Thursday 25 July 2019. The awa ...

, "Native Tongue" , Best Independent Single , , -

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". ! , - , rowspan="2",

2019 File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...

, rowspan="2", "Native Tongue" (Mojo Juju / Joel Ma / Rita Seumanuta) , Urban Work of the Year , , , - , Song of the Year , , , -

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual award ceremony event celebrating the Australian music industry. Mojo Juju has been nominated for three awards. ! , - , rowspan="3",

2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the Unit ...

, rowspan="2", Mojo Juju - ''Native Tongue'' , Best Urban Release , , , - , Breakthrough Artist , , , - , "Native Tongue" (directed by

Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore is an Australian filmmaker. She won an Australian Women in Music Award. She features women in her music videos. Her videos have been nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Video and J Award Music Video of the Year honor. ...

) , Best Video , , ARIA Award previous winners. , -

Australian Women in Music Awards

The

Australian Women in Music Awards Australian Women in Music Awards (commonly known informally as AWMA) is an annual awards ceremony and conference celebrating the contributions of women in all areas of the Australian music industry. The two-day program includes forums, a show ...

is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in the Australian Music Industry who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field. They commenced in 2018. , - ,

, Mojo Juju , Songwriter Award ,

J Awards

The

J Awards The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J and which are judged by the music and on-air teams from radio stations Triple J, ...

are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the

Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is the national broadcaster of Australia. It is principally funded by direct grants from the Australian Government and is administered by a government-appointed board. The ABC is a publicly-own ...

's youth-focused radio station

Triple J Triple J (stylised in all lowercase) is a government-funded, national Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners of alternative music, which began broadcasting in January 1975. The station also places a greater emphasis on broad ...

. They commenced in 2005. , - , rowspan="2", J Awards of 2018 , herself , Double J Artist of the Year , , - , "Native Tongue" , Australian Video of the Year ,

Music Victoria Awards

The

Music Victoria Awards The Music Victoria Awards (previously known as The Age EG Awards and The Age Music Victoria Awards) are an annual awards night celebrating music from the Australian state of Victoria. They commenced in 2006 and are awarded in Melbourne Music W ...

(previously known as The Age EG Awards and The Age Music Victoria Awards) are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006. ! , - , rowspan="2", 2015 , Mo'Ju , Best Female Artist , , rowspan="7", , - , ''Seeing Red / Feeling Blue'' , Best Soul, Funk, R'n'B and Gospel Album , , - , rowspan="4",

, rowspan="3", Mo'Ju , Best Female Musician , , - , Best Solo Artist , , - , Best Global Act , , - , "Native Tongue" , Best Song , , - ,

2020 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global social and economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, worldwide lockdowns and the largest economic recession since the Great Depression in t ...

for Mo'Ju & Joelistics ''Ghost Town'' (EP) , Best Producer , , - , rowspan="2",

2022 File:2022 collage V1.png, Clockwise, from top left: Road junction at Yamato-Saidaiji Station several hours after the assassination of Shinzo Abe; Anti-government protest in Sri Lanka in front of the Presidential Secretariat; The global monkeypo ...

, rowspan="2", Mo'Ju , Best Solo Artist , , , - , Soul, Funk, RNB & Gospel Work , , , -

National Dreamtime Awards

The

National Dreamtime Awards The National Dreamtime Awards, known simply as the Dreamtime Awards, are an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in sport, arts, academic and community. History The inaugural Dreamtime Awards were ...

are an annual celebration of

Australian Aboriginal Aboriginal Australians are the various Indigenous peoples of the Australian mainland and many of its islands, such as Tasmania, Fraser Island, Hinchinbrook Island, the Tiwi Islands, and Groote Eylandt, but excluding the Torres Strait I ...

and

Torres Strait Islander Torres Strait Islanders () are the Indigenous Melanesian people of the Torres Strait Islands, which are part of the state of Queensland, Australia. Ethnically distinct from the Aboriginal people of the rest of Australia, they are often groupe ...

achievement in sport, arts, academia and community. Mojo Juju won the Female Music Artist Award in 2018. , - , 2018 , Mojo Juju , Female Music Artist , , -

National Indigenous Music Awards

The

National Indigenous Music Awards The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA), also known as the NT Indigenous Music Awards from 2004 to 2008, are music awards presented to recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians in ...

is an annual awards ceremony that recognises the achievements of Indigenous Australians in music. Mojo Juju have won two awards ! , - , rowspan="4",

, Mojo Juju , Artist of the Year , , rowspan="4", , - , ''Native Tongue'' , Album of the Year , , - , rowspan="2", "Native Tongue" , Song of the Year , , - , Film clip of the Year , , - , rowspan="1",

, "Sometime" , Song of the Year , , , -

National Live Music Awards

The

National Live Music Awards The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse and successful live industry, celebrating the diversity and success of the Australian live scene – recognising the best vocal talents and musicians alongside ...

(NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016. , - ,

National Live Music Awards of 2016 The National Live Music Awards of 2016 are the inaugural National Live Music Awards The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse and successful live industry, celebrating the diversity and success of ...

, Mojo Juju , Live R&B or Soul Act of the Year , , - ,

National Live Music Awards of 2017 The National Live Music Awards of 2017 are the second National Live Music Awards The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse and successful live industry, celebrating the diversity and success of the ...

, Mojo Juju , Live R&B or Soul Act of the Year , , - , rowspan="2" ,

National Live Music Awards of 2018 The National Live Music Awards of 2018 are the third National Live Music Awards. The event took place on 6 December 2018. The event moved its gala event to Brisbane – following events in Sydney and Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/ W ...

, rowspan="2" , Mojo Juju , Live R&B or Soul Act of the Year , , - , Best Live Act of the Year - People's Choice , , - , rowspan="3" ,

National Live Music Awards of 2019 The National Live Music Awards of 2019 are the 4th annual National Live Music Awards. The nominations were announced on 22 October 2020 and the awards ceremony was held on 4 December 2020. For the first time ever, all State and Territory catego ...

, rowspan="3" , Mojo Juju , Live Act of the Year , , - , Live R&B or Soul Act of the Year , , - , Victorian Live Act of the Year , , -

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Juju, Mojo Australian singer-songwriters 1983 births Living people 21st-century Australian singers