Jarahn

Rising Star from Papua New Guinea

Jarahn, whose real name is Jacob Hines Nosuri Raphael, is a prominent Papua New Guinean musical artist who has been making waves in the Melanesian music scene. Born on April 24, 2001, this 24-year-old artist has quickly established himself as one of the most promising talents from the Pacific region, blending elements of reggae, Afrobeat, and rock into his unique musical style.^[4]

Background and Origins

Hailing from Bialla District in West New Britain and the areas of Vunamami, Vunamarita, Ranguna, and Ulagunan in Kokopo District, East New Britain, Jarahn's cultural roots heavily influence his musical expression. He began his musical journey back in 2014 while still in school, gradually developing his distinctive sound that resonates with audiences across Papua New Guinea and beyond.^[4]

The artist derives his stage name "Jarahn" cleverly from the initials of his full name - Jacob Hines Nosuri Raphael. This creative approach to his professional identity reflects the thoughtfulness he brings to his music as well.^[4]

Musical Style and Influences

Jarahn describes his music as an expression of culture, love, island life, and real-life experiences. His sound is distinctive within the PNG music scene, drawing inspiration from international artists like Bon Jovi and Phil Collins, while maintaining a strong connection to his Melanesian heritage.^[4]

As both a vocalist, producer, and songwriter, Jarahn brings a multifaceted approach to his music creation, allowing him to craft authentic experiences through his songs. His Instagram profile, which boasts 27,000 followers, proudly displays these multiple talents alongside his island-inspired emoji.^[6]

YouTube Presence and Growth

Since establishing his YouTube channel on August 2, 2021, Jarahn has built a substantial following with approximately 39,100 subscribers and over 8.7 million total views across his 89 videos as of May 2025. This platform serves as the primary outlet for his music releases and has been instrumental in expanding his reach beyond Papua New Guinea.^[1]^[11]^[8]

Recent Releases

Jarahn maintains an active release schedule, with his most recent track "Kudougu Forever" featuring Brenz & Cy Sai released on May 17, 2025, just days before this writing. This comes shortly after other 2025 releases including "One Box Case" featuring Tati Stylez (April 25, 2025) and "Kik Osem Kava" (April 10, 2025).^[5]^[10]^[7]

His track "Kik Osem Kava" has shown impressive performance metrics, accumulating over 98,380 views and 1,695 likes in just over a month since its release. The song averages around 685 daily views and has generated approximately 20,500 views monthly, indicating strong audience engagement with his newer material.^[3]

In late 2024, Jarahn released "Apo," accompanied by an official music video directed by Jeremiah David Yapuc and produced by SplashMedia024. Earlier that year, he collaborated with Monty and DJ Dirty Fingerz on "Gobek Karikora," further showcasing his versatility and willingness to work with other artists in the region.^[9]^[12]

Notable Songs and Collaborations

Among Jarahn's catalog, he considers 'Uwaho' particularly memorable as it marked his first venture into singing in a language outside his native tongue. The artist has noted that the Kairuku influence gave the track a unique vibe that resonated with listeners. Other popular tracks in his repertoire include "Tavile La Mautu," "Goh Weh Nau," and "Bad Manners," which have gained significant airplay on local radio stations.^[4]

His collaborations extend beyond recording, as he has shared the stage with several prominent PNG artists including Sean Rii and Young Davie, experiences he cites as memorable performances in his career.^[4] Jarahn's collaborative approach is also evident in his music production, often working with producers like DNNY and BRENZ from DawgSide Records to create his distinctive sound.^[3]^[2]

Regional Impact and Performance

Jarahn's rising profile in the Melanesian music scene has positioned him as one of the headlining artists at significant regional events. He was selected to perform at the inaugural Aelan Riddim Music Festival in the Solomon Islands alongside other notable artists including Kali-D, Mereani Masani, J-Liko, and Saii Kay, demonstrating his growing influence beyond Papua New Guinea's borders.^[4]

Through consistent releases and compelling performances, Jarahn continues to build his reputation as an artist while promoting Papua New Guinean and broader Melanesian culture through his music. His cross-cultural appeal is evident in the hashtags associated with his releases, which often include both #pngmusic and #vanuatumusic, suggesting his music resonates throughout the Pacific region.^[7]^[10]