Jimmy Nevis was born and raised in Cape Town, growing up in a very musical and spiritual home. After he discovered his singing ability, it wasn't long before he was grabbing at every opportunity to develop his talent from church to school productions and events. He was inspired by the music of Beyoncé, Jamie Cullum and Coldplay in his teens and it wasn't long before he wrote and produced his breakthrough debut track Elephant Shoes, pushing it to local radio stations.
The young singer/songwriter and producer signed to Cape Town record label Rude World Records with a publishing, licensing and distribution deal with David Gresham Records, releasing his debut album, Subliminal in 2012. More recently, Nevis signed an exclusive U.S. distribution deal with top American record label, Ultra Records, joining the likes of Steve Aoki, Deadmau5, Benny Benassi, Alyssa Reid and Kaskade.
His chart-topping singles Elephant Shoes, Heartboxing, In Love with You and Balloon are currently getting extensive airplay in South Africa. Jimmy has shared the stage with some of the best in the business. He collaborated with Mi Casa, Pascal & Pearce earlier this year and will be playing live at the Castle Lite Extra Cold Summer Event featuring Wale later this month on 21 December, with a headline performance at Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts lined up for 26 January, 2014.
Jimmy Nevis has already carved a niche for himself in the local South African music scene with an army of devoted fans. At 21 years of age, the alternative singer/songwriter has only just begun to shake things up with a world class sound that's bound to bring him international fame.
"I wasn’t much of a movie-head when I was growing up..."
I can't watch movies without...
- ...popcorn is a must but I think I always need something to drink. I take dehydration very seriously when watching movies!
Which famous people share your birthday?
- Giorgio Armani and Lil’ Kim were both born on the 11th July. #CancersUnite
What is the first film you remember watching?
- Hollow Man - it's a horror/thriller film that I watched when I was much younger. I wasn’t much of a movie-head when I was growing up, but I think I will always remember this film because it really scared me at the time.
What's the worst movie you've ever seen?
- Temptation by Tyler Perry - usually his films are funny or at least spiritual to some extent, but this film was just a stereotyped version of far-fetched events that didn’t really capture me. The acting was even worse than the narrative.
What movies have made you tearful?
- The Changeling, Armageddon and The Hangover 2, because it was that funny!
Who is the most famous movie star you've ever met?
- I’ve never met a movie star actually.
What's your favourite movie line?
- From the film Due Date, Alan’s line is: “My father loved coffee, and now we loved him as coffee." – the best!
Who would you choose to play you in your biopic?
- I don’t know – Bruno Mars? Chris Brown? I’d probably go for an unknown actor (laughs).
If you could produce a movie, what would it be about?
- It would be a documentary on the way music is stratified in South Africa, from genres, to race and lyrical content - something where street knowledge enters an academic space.
Finally, your top ten movies of all-time...
- Good Will Hunting ...the storyline and the acting was brilliant, such a feel-good movie.
- The Talented Mr. Ripley ...this film was so smart and yet so confusing at times – not necessarily the narrative but between the relationships of the characters. The casting of this film was just perfect.
- The Matrix ...I saw this film when I was really young, and even though I thought it was the coolest action flick at the time, I didn’t really understand what was happening. Earlier this year, I decided to watch it again and I was blown away by the concept. I think especially as a sociologist student, I was able to recognise the concepts of society played out in the film.
- Taken ...I was always ignorant and naive when it came to things like human trafficking and modern day slavery until I saw this film. It really shook me and made me more aware of human trafficking. It was also really sad for me, but cool at the same time.
- Due Date ...the funniest film of all time! I loved every second of this movie. The script was so on point and the lines in this film are so memorable. I think Zach Galifianakis and Robert Downey Jr.were perfect for this film.
- The Hangover & The Hangover II ...I love The Hangover franchise because they made me laugh hysterically in cinemas. I remember watching both of these films in the cinema, crying from all the funny scenes.
- The Fighter ...when I was studying film in my 2nd year of university, we had to do a film review and so I chose the The Fighter. I was so shocked at the quality of acting and cinematography within this film. I left the cinema feeling inspired and cultured if that makes any sense. It was just a great experience.
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs ...I’m not really into animated films but this one was so creative and I think my love of food made me a little bias when judging this film, but I loved it. The cast, the script, the visuals and the quotes are just too good.
- Shutter Island ...who doesn’t like a Leonardo DiCaprio film? This thriller kept me on my toes right until the end - such a mind-trip.
- The Great Buck Howard ...Emily Blunt is one of my favourite actresses. This film was just so awkward and beautiful at the same time. I wouldn’t have usually watched this but once I started, I couldn’t stop.
Top Ten Movies with... is a people series on SPL!NG, featuring a host of celebrities ranging from up-and-coming to established personalities from all industries including, but not limited to: Internet, Radio, TV, Film, Music, Art and Entrepreneurs. It's a chance to discover who they are, find out where they're at and to get a fun inside look at their taste in movies.
