DJ Jazzy Jeff
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Allen Townes also known as DJ Jazzy Jeff or simply Jazz, is an American
hip hop
, R&B record producer
, turntablist
and actor
. He is best known for his early career with Will Smith
as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
. DJ Jazzy Jeff attended John Bartram High School
in Philadelphia, where he is enshrined in the school's "Wall of Fame."
with the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
, Jazzy Jeff played a recurring character
named Jazz, Smith's best friend on the show. In the early season the two characters always greeted each other with their signature handshake (swinging mid-five
, point-back/snap with both characters saying "Pssh!"). His trademarks included being physically ejected from the house by Uncle Phil (James Avery
).
ever presented in 1989 for Parents Just Don't Understand. One of the first records Jazzy Jeff ever apeared on was with The Korner Boyz (Street Artz Records) "Bust The Move and The Soga of Roxanne) Which featured legendary Philly Rapper / MC Parry P and Grand Tone. The Instrumental was called "Jazzy Jeff Scratch" (1985)
After DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince broke up, Townes went on to become a prominent R&B, soul
, and neo soul
record producer
, establishing the A Touch of Jazz production company in his native Philadelphia. Among the artists that Jazzy Jeff has helped develop are Jill Scott
and Musiq
. Even though he separated from Will Smith
as a music partner, they are still friends, and still occasionally work together. Some songs by Smith were produced by Townes (including "Here He Comes"), and he has performed on some songs by Smith such as "So Fresh" and "Potnas." In addition, he appeared in several of Smith's music video
s such as "Will2K," "Freakin' It," and "Party Starter
." On some occasions, he made an appearances with Smith at live concerts, producing DJ scratches.
He, along with DJ Cash Money
, is credited with making the transform
scratch famous.
On July 2, 2005, DJ Jazzy Jeff performed with Smith at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia
. Moreover, Smith acknowledges him in his music such as "Comin' To The Stage" from the album Lost & Found and "Potnas" in his album Willennium
.
His 2007 release The Return of the Magnificent
featured numerous collaborations with old school and new school artists including CL Smooth
, Big Daddy Kane
, Pos
from De La Soul
, Method Man
, Peedi Peedi
(a remake of Brand New Funk), Rhymefest
, and Raheem DeVaughn
.
In 2007, he appeared with Rhymefest
in a video DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Fest directed by Konee Rok
, in which he makes music in his home recording studio with Rhymefest.
In 2008, he performed with Smith at the premier of the latter's 2008 film Hancock
.
In 2009, he made a mixtape
titled He's the King...I'm the DJ in honor of the late entertainer Michael Jackson
.
He was featured in the video game, DJ Hero
, as a playable character. He also has some original mixes in the game.
He is currently making a mixtape with young rapper Mac Miller
and is hosting it, titled "92 Til Infinity".
He is currently working on an EP with new rapper Mac Miller that will be coming out later this summer
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, R&B record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, turntablist
Turntablism
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He is best known for his early career with Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince is a hip hop duo from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Vocalist Will Smith met Jeff Townes while trying to make a name for himself in West Philadelphia's local hip hop scene. After joining forces with Clarence Holmes the team members became local celebrities...
. DJ Jazzy Jeff attended John Bartram High School
John Bartram High School
John Bartram High School is a public secondary school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the School District of Philadelphia.-History:...
in Philadelphia, where he is enshrined in the school's "Wall of Fame."
Career
Once he grew up, he developed a reputation and a following as a school and block party DJ. Jazzy Jeff was the feature of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. He also won the world DJ championship in the 1986 New Music Seminar DJ Battle.Acting
When Smith branched out into televisionTelevision
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
with the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996. The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his aunt and uncle in their...
, Jazzy Jeff played a recurring character
Recurring character
A recurring character is a fictional character, usually in a prime time TV series, who appears from time to time during the series' run. Recurring characters often play major roles in an episode, sometimes being the main focus...
named Jazz, Smith's best friend on the show. In the early season the two characters always greeted each other with their signature handshake (swinging mid-five
High five
The high five is a celebratory hand gesture that occurs when two people simultaneously raise one hand, about head high, and push, slide or slap the flat of their palm and hand against the palm and flat hand of their partner...
, point-back/snap with both characters saying "Pssh!"). His trademarks included being physically ejected from the house by Uncle Phil (James Avery
James L. Avery, Sr.
James L. Avery, Sr. is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of the patriarch and attorney Philip Banks in the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, whom Will Smith's character affectionately called "Uncle Phil." This character was ranked #34 in TV Guides "50 Greatest TV Dads of All...
).
Music
As a duo, they had several gold and platinum-selling albums and singles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, earning them the first rap Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
ever presented in 1989 for Parents Just Don't Understand. One of the first records Jazzy Jeff ever apeared on was with The Korner Boyz (Street Artz Records) "Bust The Move and The Soga of Roxanne) Which featured legendary Philly Rapper / MC Parry P and Grand Tone. The Instrumental was called "Jazzy Jeff Scratch" (1985)
After DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince broke up, Townes went on to become a prominent R&B, soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, and neo soul
Neo soul
The term neo soul was originally coined by Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records in the late 1990s as a marketing category following the commercial breakthroughs of artists such as D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Maxwell...
record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, establishing the A Touch of Jazz production company in his native Philadelphia. Among the artists that Jazzy Jeff has helped develop are Jill Scott
Jill Scott
Jill Scott is an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter, poet, and actress. In 2007, Scott made her cinematic debut in the films Hounddog and in Tyler Perry's feature film, Why Did I Get Married? That year, her third studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3, was released on...
and Musiq
Musiq
Musiq Soulchild or Musiq is a US R&B/soul singer-songwriter whose style blends contemporary R&B, soul, funk, alternative, blues, jazz, some gospel influences and hip hop.-Biography:...
. Even though he separated from Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
as a music partner, they are still friends, and still occasionally work together. Some songs by Smith were produced by Townes (including "Here He Comes"), and he has performed on some songs by Smith such as "So Fresh" and "Potnas." In addition, he appeared in several of Smith's music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s such as "Will2K," "Freakin' It," and "Party Starter
Party Starter
"Party Starter" is the second single released from Will Smith's album Lost & Found. There are slight differences between the single and album versions. The single version has different beats and is longer with added compression. The song was written with rapper Ludacris as a tribute to Bobby Seale....
." On some occasions, he made an appearances with Smith at live concerts, producing DJ scratches.
He, along with DJ Cash Money
DJ Cash Money
DJ Cash Money is a Philadelphia-based American turntablist, hip-hop artist, and record producer. He was the first inductee into the DJ Hall of Fame.-Career:...
, is credited with making the transform
Transform (scratch)
A transform is a type of scratch used by turntablists. It is made from a combination of moving the record on the turntable by hand and repeated movement of the crossfader.- Creation :...
scratch famous.
On July 2, 2005, DJ Jazzy Jeff performed with Smith at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia
Live 8 concert, Philadelphia
On 2 July 2005, a Live 8 concert was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with a densely packed audience stretched out for one mile along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway...
. Moreover, Smith acknowledges him in his music such as "Comin' To The Stage" from the album Lost & Found and "Potnas" in his album Willennium
Willennium
Willennium is Will Smith's second solo studio album. It was released on the heels of Smith's unprecedented success, Big Willie Style.-Album information:...
.
His 2007 release The Return of the Magnificent
The Return of the Magnificent
The Return of the Magnificent is the follow-up album to The Magnificent by DJ Jazzy Jeff. The album, entirely produced by Townes, has guest appearances by Rhymefest, Posdnous, and Big Daddy Kane...
featured numerous collaborations with old school and new school artists including CL Smooth
CL Smooth
CL Smooth is an American rapper, poet, and is best known as the vocal half of the hip-hop duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth....
, Big Daddy Kane
Big Daddy Kane
Antonio Hardy better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MC's in Hip Hop...
, Pos
Kelvin Mercer
Kelvin Mercer is a rapper, producer, and one-third of the hip hop trio De La Soul. He is known more famously by his alias Posdnuos, or simply Pos. He was born in the Bronx, New York and grew up in East Massapequa, New York.Mercer and David Jude Jolicoeur were childhood friends...
from De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
, Method Man
Method Man
Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
, Peedi Peedi
Peedi Peedi
Pedro Zayas, known as Peedi Crakk and also Peedi Peedi is an American rapper of Puerto Rican descent. He is a member of State Property and is currently signed to Amalgam Digital.-Career:...
(a remake of Brand New Funk), Rhymefest
Rhymefest
Che Smith , known by the stage name of Rhymefest, is an American hip hop artist from Chicago, Illinois whose first official album, Blue Collar, was released on July 11, 2006. He co-wrote Kanye West's "Jesus Walks", which won a Grammy at the 47th Grammy Awards. In October, 2010, Rhymefest announced...
, and Raheem DeVaughn
Raheem DeVaughn
Raheem DeVaughn is an American singer and songwriter. His debut album, The Love Experience , reached No. 46 on the Billboard 200 album chart. It featured the singles "Guess Who Loves You More" and "You". His second album Love Behind the Melody was released in January 2008...
.
In 2007, he appeared with Rhymefest
Rhymefest
Che Smith , known by the stage name of Rhymefest, is an American hip hop artist from Chicago, Illinois whose first official album, Blue Collar, was released on July 11, 2006. He co-wrote Kanye West's "Jesus Walks", which won a Grammy at the 47th Grammy Awards. In October, 2010, Rhymefest announced...
in a video DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Fest directed by Konee Rok
Konee Rok
Konee Rok is an American music video and documentary director. He has done film and video work with many popular artists in hip-hop, rap music and break dancing culture....
, in which he makes music in his home recording studio with Rhymefest.
In 2008, he performed with Smith at the premier of the latter's 2008 film Hancock
Hancock (film)
Hancock is a 2008 American action-comedy superhero film directed by Peter Berg and starring Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize Theron. It tells the story of a vigilante superhero, John Hancock from Los Angeles whose reckless actions routinely cost the city millions of dollars...
.
In 2009, he made a mixtape
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
titled He's the King...I'm the DJ in honor of the late entertainer Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
.
He was featured in the video game, DJ Hero
DJ Hero
DJ Hero is a music video game, developed by FreeStyleGames and published by Activision as a rhythm game spin-off of the Guitar Hero franchise. It was released on October 27, 2009 in North America and on October 29, 2009 in Europe...
, as a playable character. He also has some original mixes in the game.
He is currently making a mixtape with young rapper Mac Miller
Mac Miller
Malcolm McCormick , known by his stage name Mac Miller , is an American rapper from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
and is hosting it, titled "92 Til Infinity".
Solo work as DJ Jazzy Jeff
- Unreleased album from Sony Records (1998)
- One cut in Battle of DJs
- The Magnificent (2002)
- Soulheaven Presents Jazzy Jeff in the House (2004)
- The Soul Mixtape Groovin' Records USA (2005)
- Hip-Hop Forever II Rapster Records (2004)
- Hip-Hop Forever IIIHip-Hop Forever IIIHip-Hop Forever III is the third compilation album in the "Hip-Hop Forever" series by DJ Jazzy Jeff, an American hip hop producer. The mix is available with or without an accompanying unmixed disc containing the same tracks.-Disc one: DJ Mix:...
BBE Records (2006) - The Return of The Magnificent EP (2007)
- The Return of the MagnificentThe Return of the MagnificentThe Return of the Magnificent is the follow-up album to The Magnificent by DJ Jazzy Jeff. The album, entirely produced by Townes, has guest appearances by Rhymefest, Posdnous, and Big Daddy Kane...
(2007) #55 US (Gold) - The Return of Hip Hop EP (2007)
- He's the King...I'm the DJ (2009)
As DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
- Rock the HouseRock the House (album)Rock the House is the debut album from the rapping duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. The album was released on March 19, 1987, in the United States, and was subsequently re-issued in 1988 in Europe and the UK...
(1986) #83 US (Gold); #97 UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... - He's the DJ, I'm the RapperHe's the DJ, I'm the RapperHe's the DJ, I'm the Rapper is the second studio album by hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.-Background:The original release of the album on Vinyl LP and Cassette lasts for more than 85 minutes...
(1988) #4 US (3x Platinum); #68 UK - And in This Corner… (1989) #39 US (Gold)
- HomebaseHomebase (album)Homebase is the fourth studio album released by hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. The album was released in July 1991, reaching #12 on the Billboard 200 charts and #5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart...
(1991) #12 US (Platinum); #69 UK - Code Red (1993) #64 US (Gold); #50 UK
- Greatest HitsGreatest Hits (DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince album)Greatest Hits is the first compilation album by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. The album includes several of the duo's biggest hits, including "Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble," "Parents Just Don't Understand," and "Summertime"...
(1998) #144 US, #20 UK - Before The Willennium (1999)
- The Very Best of D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (2006)
He is currently working on an EP with new rapper Mac Miller that will be coming out later this summer
Miscellaneous
- 1991 - Deep, Deep, Trouble with Bart Simpson; and the remixes from The Simpsons Sing the BluesThe Simpsons Sing the BluesThe Simpsons Sing the Blues is the first album released as an offshoot of The Simpsons. The album contains originally recorded music not featured in the series save for the first verse of the track "Moaning Lisa Blues" which was first featured in the episode "Moaning Lisa", aired February 11, 1990...
- 1997 - Jazzy Jeff's Theme; from the album Nuyorican Soul
- 1998 - "When To Stand Up" featuring EminemEminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
- 1998 - I Don't Know by Slum VillageSlum VillageSlum Village was a hip hop group from Conant Gardens, Detroit, Michigan.The group was formed by three members: rappers Baatin and T3, plus rapper and producer J Dilla . J Dilla left in 2002 to pursue a solo career with MCA Records...
(scratches); from the album Fantastic, Vol. 2Fantastic, Vol. 2Fantastic, Vol. 2 is the second album from Detroit's Slum Village, released in 2000. During the time of its release the group was still composed of its earliest members T3, Baatin and Jay Dee.... - 1999 - The Next Movement by The RootsThe RootsThe Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
(scratches); from the album Things Fall ApartThings Fall ApartThings Fall Apartis a 1958 English language novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. It is a staple book in schools throughout Africa and widely read and studied in English-speaking countries around the world. It is seen as the archetypal modern African novel in English, and one of the first African... - 2004 - Mirrorball (DJ Jazzy Jeff Full Sole Remix) by Everything But The GirlEverything but the GirlEverything but the Girl was a two-person English band, formed in Hull during 1981, consisting of lead singer and occasional guitarist Tracey Thorn and guitarist, keyboardist, and singer Ben Watt . They are currently inactive although vocalist Tracey Thorn hinted that they may reform someday...
; from Adapt or Die: 10 Years of Remixes - 2005 - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (DJ Jazzy Jeff & Pete Kuzma Solefull Mix) by the TemptationsThe TemptationsThe Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
; from Motown RemixedMotown RemixedMotown Remixed is a 2005 compilation album containing remixed versions of Motown hits, released on May 24, 2005 by Motown/Universal Records....
. - 2005 - Lost & Found by Will SmithWill SmithWillard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
; produced intro song Here He Comes and several DJ scratches on several tracks - 2005 - Watch Me by Little Brother (scratches); from the album The Minstrel ShowThe Minstrel ShowThe Minstrel Show is the second studio album by hip hop trio, Little Brother. It followed the critical success of their 2003 debut, The Listening. The album was highly anticipated and touted as a probable breakthrough for the group, even before its release...
- 2006 - Feel It (Jazzy Jeff Soulful Remix) by the Black Eyed Peas; from Renegotiations: The RemixesRenegotiations: The Remixes-Track listing:...
- 2006 - Night in Tunisia (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix) by Duke JordanDuke JordanIrving Sidney "Duke" Jordan was an American jazz pianist.-Biography:An imaginative and gifted pianist, Jordan was a regular member of Charlie Parker's so-called "classic quintet" , featuring Miles Davis...
- 2007 - NY Weather Report by Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
(scratches); from the album EardrumEardrum (album)Eardrum is the fourth solo album from American hip hop artist Talib Kweli. The album was his Warner Bros. Records debut with his first album on his own label, Blacksmith Records. It was engineered by Joel Hamilton, Ryan Kennedy, Mike Houge and Dave Dar. Eardrum was released on August 21, 2007 on... - 2008 - Get Busy by The RootsThe RootsThe Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
(scratches); from the album Rising DownRising DownRising Down is the eighth studio album by American hip hop band The Roots, released April 28, 2008 on Def Jam Recordings. The album's title is adapted from William T. Vollmann's book Rising Up and Rising Down: Some Thoughts on Violence, Freedom and Urgent Means... - 2008 - Bring It Back by RhymefestRhymefestChe Smith , known by the stage name of Rhymefest, is an American hip hop artist from Chicago, Illinois whose first official album, Blue Collar, was released on July 11, 2006. He co-wrote Kanye West's "Jesus Walks", which won a Grammy at the 47th Grammy Awards. In October, 2010, Rhymefest announced...
(producer); from the album El CheEl Che (album)- Charts :... - 2009 - Prince in Training by MaC Renegade Hosted by DJ Jazzy Jeff
- 2009 - Stay This Way (Jazzy Jeff Remix) by Peter Bjorn and JohnPeter Bjorn and JohnPeter Bjorn and John are a Swedish indie rock band, formed in Stockholm in 1999 and named after the first names of the band's members: Peter Morén , Björn Yttling and John Eriksson .They are best known for the 2006 single "Young Folks", which...
featuring Big Pooh, ChaundonChaundonChaundon is an American hip hop artist from, South Bronx, New York City, who is part of Little Brother's Justus League collective. In 2008 he released his debut album "Carnage" and since has become an internet sensation with his website and his independent music show , as well as his internet blog...
, and Phil Nash from the mixtape Re-Living Thing with Mick BoogieMick BoogieMick Boogie, born Mick Batsyke in Youngstown, Ohio, is an American DJ and mixtape composer.Mick Boogie and grew up in Poland, Ohio. His interest in music began at an early age. He learned to play the piano and the drums through school programs. His hiphop career began when his mother purchased a...