J-Live
Encyclopedia
J-Live is an MC, DJ
, and producer
from New York
.
English
major at the University at Albany, The State University of New York
. His first single "Longevity" appeared on Mark Farina
's Mushroom Jazz
CD, and follow-up singles "Braggin' Writes" and "Hush the Crowd" garnered widespread attention, getting him printed in the "Unsigned Hype" section of The Source
. This led to a record contract with Raw Shack Records. His first album, The Best Part
, recorded from 1995 to 1999, featured production by Prince Paul
, DJ Premier
, and Pete Rock
. Due to problems with his record label, J-Live left the label and the album was shelved. He moved to Payday Records, but when Payday's parent company London Records
was bought from Universal Music Group
by WEA
, the album was again shelved. In 2001, copies surfaced as bootlegs and several were of such high quality it was rumored that J-Live himself was behind them. By the fall of 2001, The Best Part was finally officially released after five years of label problems. It was released on Triple Threat Productions, J-Live's own record label.
was released on the label, Coup D'état. It featured production by DJ Spinna
, Usef Dinero, P Smoova and J-Live himself. In 2003 J-Live simultaneously released two EP
s, Always Has Been
and Always Will Be
. Always Has Been was a collection of J-Live's six early singles which did not appear on any of his albums. Always Will Be consisted of 8 new songs. Both EPs were released on the label, Triple Threat Productions. His third LP
, The Hear After
was released in 2005 on the label, Penalty (Ryko), and was followed in 2007 with another EP, Reveal the Secret, and in 2008 with an LP entitled Then What Happened?, both from BBE Records.
English
teacher in Brownsville
and Bushwick, Brooklyn
. He later left teaching for the full time pursuit of his hip-hop career. J-Live is currently living in Philadelphia, PA. He is married and has three children. He is of Haiti
an descent. J-Live is a member of The Nation of Gods and Earths
.
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, and 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...
from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Early career and The Best Part
J-Live first appeared on the underground hip-hop scene in 1995, when he was a freshmanFreshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
English
English studies
English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
major at the University at Albany, The State University of New York
University at Albany, The State University of New York
The State University of New York at Albany, also known as University at Albany, State University of New York, SUNY Albany or simply UAlbany, is a public university located in Albany, Guilderland, and East Greenbush, New York, United States; is the senior campus of the State University of New York ...
. His first single "Longevity" appeared on Mark Farina
Mark Farina
Mark Farina is a disc jockey and musician, known for his Chicago house, acid jazz and downtempo works. Notable releases include Mood and the Mushroom Jazz series , and recently known also from house compilations El Divinio...
's Mushroom Jazz
Mushroom Jazz
Mushroom Jazz is a series of musical compilations by DJ Mark Farina. Originating in 1992 these were released on cassette tape, then since 1997 have been commercial CD and vinyl releases. Farina combines elements of downtempo, hip hop, jazz and R&B, French, Latin, beatmatching and mixing songs...
CD, and follow-up singles "Braggin' Writes" and "Hush the Crowd" garnered widespread attention, getting him printed in the "Unsigned Hype" section of The Source
The Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
. This led to a record contract with Raw Shack Records. His first album, The Best Part
The Best Part
The Best Part is the debut album by underground rapper, J-Live. It was recorded from 1995 to 1998 and featured production by Prince Paul, DJ Premier, and Pete Rock. Due to problems with his record label, Raw Shack Records, J-Live left the label and the album was shelved...
, recorded from 1995 to 1999, featured production by Prince Paul
Prince Paul
Paul Huston, better known by the stage name Prince Paul, is an American disc jockey and hip-hop record producer. He was also a founding member of the Gravediggaz where he used the name The Undertaker.- Biography :...
, DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
, and Pete Rock
Pete Rock
Peter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...
. Due to problems with his record label, J-Live left the label and the album was shelved. He moved to Payday Records, but when Payday's parent company London Records
London Records
London Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
was bought from Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
by WEA
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
, the album was again shelved. In 2001, copies surfaced as bootlegs and several were of such high quality it was rumored that J-Live himself was behind them. By the fall of 2001, The Best Part was finally officially released after five years of label problems. It was released on Triple Threat Productions, J-Live's own record label.
All of the Above to Then What Happened?
In 2002 his second album, All of the AboveAll of the Above (J-Live album)
All of the Above is the second album of indie hip hop artist J-Live, released in 2002 on the label Coup dEtat. The album's cover art pays homage/tribute to John Coltrane's famous cover design on his 1957 album Blue Train.-Track listing:...
was released on the label, Coup D'état. It featured production by DJ Spinna
DJ Spinna
DJ Spinna is an American hip hop music artist and producer, who, according to Allmusic.com, has "remained strictly an underground artist despite his astonishing talent."-Biography:...
, Usef Dinero, P Smoova and J-Live himself. In 2003 J-Live simultaneously released two EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s, Always Has Been
Always Has Been
Always Has Been is the first EP released by indie hip hop artist J-Live, released in 2003 on the label Triple Threat Productions. It is an EP and consists of six songs recorded early in J-Live's career, prior to the release of his first album The Best Part...
and Always Will Be
Always Will Be
Always Will Be is the second EP released by indie hip hop artist J-Live, released in 2003 on the label Triple Threat Productions. It is an EP consisting of eight new tracks...
. Always Has Been was a collection of J-Live's six early singles which did not appear on any of his albums. Always Will Be consisted of 8 new songs. Both EPs were released on the label, Triple Threat Productions. His third LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
, The Hear After
The Hear After
The Hear After is the third studio album of indie hip hop artist J-Live, released in 2005 on the label Penalty.-Track listing:#"Here" - 3:29#*Featuring - Soulive#*Producer - J-Live#*Guitar - Eric Krasno#*Horn [Flugal], Trumpet - Rashawn Ross...
was released in 2005 on the label, Penalty (Ryko), and was followed in 2007 with another EP, Reveal the Secret, and in 2008 with an LP entitled Then What Happened?, both from BBE Records.
Personal life
After completion of his English degree from SUNY Albany, J-Live became a middle schoolMiddle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
English
English studies
English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
teacher in Brownsville
Brownsville, Brooklyn
Brownsville is a residential neighborhood located in eastern Brooklyn, New York City.The total land area is one square mile, and the ZIP code for the neighborhood is 11212....
and Bushwick, Brooklyn
Bushwick, Brooklyn
Bushwick is a neighborhood in the northern part of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The neighborhood, formerly Brooklyn's 18th Ward, is now part of Brooklyn Community Board 4...
. He later left teaching for the full time pursuit of his hip-hop career. J-Live is currently living in Philadelphia, PA. He is married and has three children. He is of Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
an descent. J-Live is a member of The Nation of Gods and Earths
The Nation of Gods and Earths
The Nation of Gods and Earths, sometimes referred to as NGE or NOGE, the Five-Percent Nation, or the Five Percenters is an American organization founded in 1964 in the Harlem section of the borough of Manhattan, New York City, by Clarence 13X, a former student of Malcolm X, who left his mosque...
.
Albums
- The Best PartThe Best PartThe Best Part is the debut album by underground rapper, J-Live. It was recorded from 1995 to 1998 and featured production by Prince Paul, DJ Premier, and Pete Rock. Due to problems with his record label, Raw Shack Records, J-Live left the label and the album was shelved...
(2001) - All of the Above (2002)
- Always Has BeenAlways Has BeenAlways Has Been is the first EP released by indie hip hop artist J-Live, released in 2003 on the label Triple Threat Productions. It is an EP and consists of six songs recorded early in J-Live's career, prior to the release of his first album The Best Part...
[EP] (2003, This CD features 6 tracks of material recorded between 1995–1997) - Always Will BeAlways Will BeAlways Will Be is the second EP released by indie hip hop artist J-Live, released in 2003 on the label Triple Threat Productions. It is an EP consisting of eight new tracks...
[EP] (2003) - The Hear AfterThe Hear AfterThe Hear After is the third studio album of indie hip hop artist J-Live, released in 2005 on the label Penalty.-Track listing:#"Here" - 3:29#*Featuring - Soulive#*Producer - J-Live#*Guitar - Eric Krasno#*Horn [Flugal], Trumpet - Rashawn Ross...
(2005) - Reveal The Secret [EP] (2007)
- Then What Happened? (May 2008)
- Undivided Attention [EP] (Nov 2010)
- S.P.T.A. (Said Person of That Ability) (2011)
Appearances
- 31 February by The NextmenThe NextmenThe Nextmen are a UK production/songwriting group consisting of Dom Search and Brad Baloo . Often incorporating hip hop drum sets and electronic basslines into their sound, they have worked with many artists from the UK, US and Jamaica...
- Azucar (Remix) by SouliveSouliveSoulive is a funk/jazz trio that originated in Woodstock, New York, and is known for its solos and catchy, upbeat songs. The band consists of Eric Krasno , Alan Evans , Neal Evans...
- Boogie by OddiseeOddiseeAmir Mohamed, better known as Oddisee is a hip hop producer and MC from Prince George's County, Maryland.-Biography:Oddisee was born in Washington, D.C. to an African-American mother and a Sudanese father. He grew up in Maryland influenced by hip-hop and soul as well as the myriad of musicians on...
, also featuring AsheruAsheruAsheru, born Gabriel Benn, is an African American hip hop artist, educator, and youth activist. He is widely known for performing the opening and closing themes for the popular TV series, The Boondocks, as well as his pioneering and innovative efforts to forward the Hip Hop Education... - Bosoms by WordsworthWordsworth (rapper)Wordsworth is an underground hip hop MC from Brooklyn, best known for his freestyle rap.Wordsworth grew up in Brooklyn. A graduate of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury, Wordsworth recorded with his partner Punchline on A Tribe Called Quest's The Love Movement and on Mos Def...
, also featuring SouliveSouliveSoulive is a funk/jazz trio that originated in Woodstock, New York, and is known for its solos and catchy, upbeat songs. The band consists of Eric Krasno , Alan Evans , Neal Evans... - Brand Nu Live by DJ Nu-Mark
- Break It Down by DJ Jazzy JeffDJ Jazzy JeffJeffrey 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...
- Get It, Got It by DJ Jazzy JeffDJ Jazzy JeffJeffrey 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...
- Give It Up with R.A. the Rugged ManR.A. The Rugged ManR. A. Thorburn, better known as R.A. the Rugged Man, is an emcee from Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.-Career:At 18, R.A. signed with Jive Records and then in the mid-1990s signed with Priority Records/EMI. His contract was later absorbed by Capitol Records but he began recording...
on Wu-Tang Meets the Indie CultureWu-Tang Meets The Indie CultureWu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture is an album released October 18, 2005. This album was put together by Bronze Nazareth, who has produced Wu-Tang and others. It includes collaborated tracks by Wu-Tang Clan members, Wu-Tang Clan affiliates, and various other underground hip-hop artists such as... - Great Live Caper by J. RawlsJ. RawlsJason Rawls is an American hip hop, soul, and neo-soul producer whose work crosses over into jazz. He has worked with Dose One, Beastie Boys, Slum Village, El Da Sensei, Count Bass D, Grand Agent, 9th Wonder, J-Live, Us3, and Moka Only...
- Hip Hop Romper Room Pt. 1 by VakillVakillVakill is an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois. Vakill is known through his association with Chicago Hip Hop collective The Molemen, and for his literate, witty, punch line-filled lyricism and detailed story-telling.-Early years:Raised on the South side of Chicago on 119th Street, Vakill was...
- Hip Hop Romper Room Pt. 2 by VakillVakillVakill is an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois. Vakill is known through his association with Chicago Hip Hop collective The Molemen, and for his literate, witty, punch line-filled lyricism and detailed story-telling.-Early years:Raised on the South side of Chicago on 119th Street, Vakill was...
- I Say Peace by DelaDelaDela , count of Empúries , was the son of Sunyer I of Empúries, whom he succeeded along with his brother, Sunyer II of Empúries, in 862....
- O! (9.11) by Da Beatminerz
- Practice by DJ Jazzy JeffDJ Jazzy JeffJeffrey 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...
- Rules of Engagement by 7L & Esoteric7L & Esoteric7L & Esoteric are a Boston-based hip-hop duo, notorious for battle rhymes and boom-bap production. 7L is the duo's DJ/Producer and Esoteric the emcee.-History:...
- Selector by the Lifesavas
- She Said What? by Quantic Soul Orchestra
- Sub-Level by Rob SwiftRob SwiftRob Swift is an American hip hop DJ and turntablist. Swift is a former member of the turntablist group The X-Ecutioners as of late 2005 and as of 2006; with Mike Patton’s project Peeping Tom.-Early life:...
- The City by DelaDelaDela , count of Empúries , was the son of Sunyer I of Empúries, whom he succeeded along with his brother, Sunyer II of Empúries, in 862....
, also featuring Surreal - The Last Sunshine by Pigeon JohnPigeon JohnPigeon John is an American hip hop rapper raised in Hawthorne, California and based in Los Angeles, California.-Biography:Pigeon John is a Los Angeles area rapper who has recorded four studio albums as a solo artist, as well as several others as a member of the groups like L.A. Symphony and...
- The Truth by Handsome Boy Modeling SchoolHandsome Boy Modeling SchoolHandsome Boy Modeling School was a collaborative project between renowned hip hop producers Dan the Automator and Prince Paul...
- Time Difference by Homecut
- Trackrunners by AsheruAsheruAsheru, born Gabriel Benn, is an African American hip hop artist, educator, and youth activist. He is widely known for performing the opening and closing themes for the popular TV series, The Boondocks, as well as his pioneering and innovative efforts to forward the Hip Hop Education...
& Blue Black of Unspoken Heard - Vacation by Jazz LiberatorzJazz LiberatorzJazz Liberatorz is a French hip hop group composed by producers and DJs from Meaux, which consists of DJ Damage, Dusty and Madhi. The group has released two studio albums. The 2008 album Clin D'oeil can be considered a tribute to the golden age of hip-hop, taking its strength onto the roots of...
- What's crazy? by OddiseeOddiseeAmir Mohamed, better known as Oddisee is a hip hop producer and MC from Prince George's County, Maryland.-Biography:Oddisee was born in Washington, D.C. to an African-American mother and a Sudanese father. He grew up in Maryland influenced by hip-hop and soul as well as the myriad of musicians on...
, also featuring Stik Figa - Whatyawando? by El Da SenseiEl Da SenseiEl Da Sensei is an American rapper from Newark, New Jersey. During the 1990s he was a member of the influential hip hop duo, Artifacts.Since then he has released several solo albums to critical acclaim.-Discography:...