Jeffrey A. Townes (born January 22, 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), al… Read Full Bio ↴Jeffrey A. Townes (born January 22, 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), also known as DJ Jazzy Jeff, is an American hip hop and R&B record producer and turntablist. He is best known for his early career with Will Smith as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. DJ Jazzy Jeff graduated from John Bartram High School in Philadelphia where he is enshrined in the school's "Wall of Fame".
History
When he was growing up, he found that listening to his parents was unbearable. He got a job as a newspaper boy at age 7 to support his family. Once he grew up, he developed a reputation and following as a school and block party DJ extraordinaire, Jazzy Jeff was the feature of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. 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 ever presented in 1989 for Parents Just Don't Understand. When Smith branched out into television with the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jazzy Jeff played a recurring character named "Jazz", Smith's best friend on the show. The two characters always greeted each other with their signature handshake (swinging mid-five, point-back/snap with both characters saying "Pssh!").
Jazz' trademarks include being physically ejected from the house by Uncle Phil (James Avery), screaming as he went flying out the front door. This was referenced in the song "N.Y, N.Y." by Lloyd Banks from his second album Rotten Apple, with the lyric "I throw a bitch out the crib like Jazzy Jeff". [1]
DJ Jazzy Jeff is not to be confused with Jeffrey Myree from the earlier hip hop group Funky Four Plus One, which in fact filed and won a lawsuit over the name Jazzy Jeff against Jeff Townes and Jive records when they signed DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. 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 music partners, they are still best friends and still occasionally work together. Some songs by Will Smith were produced by Jeff Townes (Ex. Here He Comes), and he has performed on some songs by Will Smith such as "So Fresh" and "Potnas". In addition, he appears in several of Smith's music videos such as "Will2K", "Freakin' It", and "Party Starter". On some occasions, he makes appearances with Smith on 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 Will Smith at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia. In the past, Will has performed on concerts with DJ Jazzy Jeff for the scratches. Moreover, Will acknowledges him in his music like "Comin' To The Stage" from the album Lost & Found or "Potnas" in his album Willennium.
His 2007 release TROTM (The Return of the Magnificent) is a classic work which returns to the roots of hip-hop with a neo-soul mixture included. This album featured numerous collaborations with old school and new school artists including CL Smooth, Big Daddy Kane, Pos from De La Soul, Method Man, Peedi Crakk (a remake of Brand New Funk), Rhymefest, and Raheem DeVaughn.
In 2007, he appeared with Rhymefest in the video DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Fest directed by Konee Rok, in which he makes music in his home recording studio with Rhymefest and they reveal that they are working on an album together called "I'm the DJ, I'm the Rapper".
Discography
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 III BBE Records (2006)
* The Return of The Magnificent EP (2007)
* The Return of the Magnificent (2007)
* The Return of Hip Hop EP (2007)
As DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
* Rock the House (1987) #83 US (Gold)
* He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988) #4 US (3x Platinum)
* And in This Corner… (1989) #39 US (Gold)
* Homebase (1991) #12 US (Platinum)
* Code Red (1993) #64 US (Gold)
* Greatest Hits (1998) #144 US, #20 UK
* Before The Willennium (1999)
* The Very Best of D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (2006)
Miscellaneous
* 1991 - Deep, Deep, Trouble with Bart Simpson and the remixes; from The Simpsons Sing the Blues
* 1997 - Jazzy Jeff's Theme; from the album Nuyorican Soul
* 1998 - "When To Stand Up" featuring Eminem
* 1998 - I Don't Know by Slum Village (scratches); from the album Fantastic, Vol. 2
* 1999 - The Next Movement by The Roots (scratches); from the album Things Fall Apart
* 2004 - Mirrorball (DJ Jazzy Jeff Full Sole Remix) by Everything But The Girl; from Adapt or Die: 10 Years of Remixes
* 2005 - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (DJ Jazzy Jeff & Pete Kuzma Solefull Mix) by the Temptations; from Motown Remixed.
* 2005 - Lost & Found by Will Smith; produced intro song Here He Comes and several DJ scratches on several tracks
* 2005 - The Minstrel Show by Little Brother; Scratches on the song Watch Me.
* 2006 - Feel It (Jazzy Jeff Soulful Remix) by the Black Eyed Peas; from Renegotiations: The Remixes
* 2006 - Night in Tunisia (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix) by Duke Jordan
* 2007 - Ear Drum by Talib Kweli; Scratches on song NY Weather Report.
* 2008 - Get Busy by The Roots (scratches); from the album Rising Down.
History
When he was growing up, he found that listening to his parents was unbearable. He got a job as a newspaper boy at age 7 to support his family. Once he grew up, he developed a reputation and following as a school and block party DJ extraordinaire, Jazzy Jeff was the feature of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. 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 ever presented in 1989 for Parents Just Don't Understand. When Smith branched out into television with the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jazzy Jeff played a recurring character named "Jazz", Smith's best friend on the show. The two characters always greeted each other with their signature handshake (swinging mid-five, point-back/snap with both characters saying "Pssh!").
Jazz' trademarks include being physically ejected from the house by Uncle Phil (James Avery), screaming as he went flying out the front door. This was referenced in the song "N.Y, N.Y." by Lloyd Banks from his second album Rotten Apple, with the lyric "I throw a bitch out the crib like Jazzy Jeff". [1]
DJ Jazzy Jeff is not to be confused with Jeffrey Myree from the earlier hip hop group Funky Four Plus One, which in fact filed and won a lawsuit over the name Jazzy Jeff against Jeff Townes and Jive records when they signed DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. 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 music partners, they are still best friends and still occasionally work together. Some songs by Will Smith were produced by Jeff Townes (Ex. Here He Comes), and he has performed on some songs by Will Smith such as "So Fresh" and "Potnas". In addition, he appears in several of Smith's music videos such as "Will2K", "Freakin' It", and "Party Starter". On some occasions, he makes appearances with Smith on 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 Will Smith at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia. In the past, Will has performed on concerts with DJ Jazzy Jeff for the scratches. Moreover, Will acknowledges him in his music like "Comin' To The Stage" from the album Lost & Found or "Potnas" in his album Willennium.
His 2007 release TROTM (The Return of the Magnificent) is a classic work which returns to the roots of hip-hop with a neo-soul mixture included. This album featured numerous collaborations with old school and new school artists including CL Smooth, Big Daddy Kane, Pos from De La Soul, Method Man, Peedi Crakk (a remake of Brand New Funk), Rhymefest, and Raheem DeVaughn.
In 2007, he appeared with Rhymefest in the video DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Fest directed by Konee Rok, in which he makes music in his home recording studio with Rhymefest and they reveal that they are working on an album together called "I'm the DJ, I'm the Rapper".
Discography
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 III BBE Records (2006)
* The Return of The Magnificent EP (2007)
* The Return of the Magnificent (2007)
* The Return of Hip Hop EP (2007)
As DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
* Rock the House (1987) #83 US (Gold)
* He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988) #4 US (3x Platinum)
* And in This Corner… (1989) #39 US (Gold)
* Homebase (1991) #12 US (Platinum)
* Code Red (1993) #64 US (Gold)
* Greatest Hits (1998) #144 US, #20 UK
* Before The Willennium (1999)
* The Very Best of D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (2006)
Miscellaneous
* 1991 - Deep, Deep, Trouble with Bart Simpson and the remixes; from The Simpsons Sing the Blues
* 1997 - Jazzy Jeff's Theme; from the album Nuyorican Soul
* 1998 - "When To Stand Up" featuring Eminem
* 1998 - I Don't Know by Slum Village (scratches); from the album Fantastic, Vol. 2
* 1999 - The Next Movement by The Roots (scratches); from the album Things Fall Apart
* 2004 - Mirrorball (DJ Jazzy Jeff Full Sole Remix) by Everything But The Girl; from Adapt or Die: 10 Years of Remixes
* 2005 - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (DJ Jazzy Jeff & Pete Kuzma Solefull Mix) by the Temptations; from Motown Remixed.
* 2005 - Lost & Found by Will Smith; produced intro song Here He Comes and several DJ scratches on several tracks
* 2005 - The Minstrel Show by Little Brother; Scratches on the song Watch Me.
* 2006 - Feel It (Jazzy Jeff Soulful Remix) by the Black Eyed Peas; from Renegotiations: The Remixes
* 2006 - Night in Tunisia (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix) by Duke Jordan
* 2007 - Ear Drum by Talib Kweli; Scratches on song NY Weather Report.
* 2008 - Get Busy by The Roots (scratches); from the album Rising Down.
All I Know
DJ Jazzy Jeff Lyrics
Uh uh huh
Yeah
I make it move like I
Wanna move with them horns
Let 'em play with them strings
While I spit the life of kings
Put a could in it, stood with it, we at it
Dudes that was meant to have it
Fans wanna reach out and grab it
I'm just an ordinary man
With an unordinary lifestyle
Seen early, I would live as a child
I was conceived a mistake
But through God is really all it take
For me to be born and make the Earth shake
This was raised from the bottom
So before them plainclothes got 'em
Soak up the four square miles to pop 'em
It's me in the flesh
Here to put the rumors to rest
And let you celebrate hip hop's best
From the womb to the tomb
Hit the game real soon
With a tune that's gon' take son
Straight to the moon
Ta dow, see it's my turn now
All competitors bow, all you sayin' is, "Wow"
All I know, is the way it gotta go
And everything it take to hold me down
All I see, is the way it gotta be
If you came to see me hit the town
This is my vibe, the way I survive
And peoples can't play me out of bounds
Here's my point, on a Jazzy Jeff joint
Is why CL can wear the crown
When you think about the pedigree
To own the whole catalog
All I'm sayin' is, don't sleep on me dawg
I really waked them streets there
Schooled them young wolves
CL will slay anything in his way
Okay it's all about the aura I project
That ultimate connect
And how you see me as a man of respect
Right? So it's like a mutual agreement
All your feed is in the cement
Learn the rules, let you earn your pay sure
Nosy then you think of what it cost me
To how the world forced me
To kill 'em softly, baby
How the music sound from the basement
And how the work bless me
Who let you see the fame don't impress me
Dig it? Why it's cut from a different cloth
Blood to set it off
Keep a real nice piece in a loft, easy
Anytime you can hold ya head
Then you can hold some bread
And relate to what CL said, yes
All I know, is the way it gotta go
And everything it take to hold me down
All I see, is the way it gotta be
If you came to see me hit the town
This is my vibe, the way I survive
And peoples can't play me out of bounds
Here's my point, on a Jazzy Jeff joint
Is why CL can wear the crown
It's Jazzy Jeff on the turntables
CL on the M-IC philly on up to the NYC
And breakdances, God, tags in the trainyard
Wild style fat laced, thugs locked up
From a 1980's case
Goons with them grown kids
Used to them long bids
Meet you on the dance floor
Slash the visit did, a lot from the rep to
And see it all makes sense, if I'm the king
Then that should make you the fresh prince
Send for the driver
You lookin' at the real soul survivor
Like my man, JPeriod mixtape, the Man on Fire
Featurin' the guest that Jeff host
You marvel at the up close and personal
Meetin' of the minds
You should read the signs
This is what reclines
The thoughts in my lazy boy
Fit like a hand and glove
From the city of brotherly love
All I know, is the way it gotta go
And everything it take to hold me down
All I see, is the way it gotta be
If you came to see me hit the town
This is my vibe, the way I survive
And peoples can't play me out of bounds
Here's my point, on a Jazzy Jeff joint
Is why CL can wear the crown
Yeah
I make it move like I
Wanna move with them horns
Let 'em play with them strings
While I spit the life of kings
Put a could in it, stood with it, we at it
Dudes that was meant to have it
Fans wanna reach out and grab it
With an unordinary lifestyle
Seen early, I would live as a child
I was conceived a mistake
But through God is really all it take
For me to be born and make the Earth shake
This was raised from the bottom
So before them plainclothes got 'em
Soak up the four square miles to pop 'em
It's me in the flesh
Here to put the rumors to rest
And let you celebrate hip hop's best
From the womb to the tomb
Hit the game real soon
With a tune that's gon' take son
Straight to the moon
Ta dow, see it's my turn now
All competitors bow, all you sayin' is, "Wow"
All I know, is the way it gotta go
And everything it take to hold me down
All I see, is the way it gotta be
If you came to see me hit the town
This is my vibe, the way I survive
And peoples can't play me out of bounds
Here's my point, on a Jazzy Jeff joint
Is why CL can wear the crown
When you think about the pedigree
To own the whole catalog
All I'm sayin' is, don't sleep on me dawg
I really waked them streets there
Schooled them young wolves
CL will slay anything in his way
Okay it's all about the aura I project
That ultimate connect
And how you see me as a man of respect
Right? So it's like a mutual agreement
All your feed is in the cement
Learn the rules, let you earn your pay sure
Nosy then you think of what it cost me
To how the world forced me
To kill 'em softly, baby
How the music sound from the basement
And how the work bless me
Who let you see the fame don't impress me
Dig it? Why it's cut from a different cloth
Blood to set it off
Keep a real nice piece in a loft, easy
Anytime you can hold ya head
Then you can hold some bread
And relate to what CL said, yes
All I know, is the way it gotta go
And everything it take to hold me down
All I see, is the way it gotta be
If you came to see me hit the town
This is my vibe, the way I survive
And peoples can't play me out of bounds
Here's my point, on a Jazzy Jeff joint
Is why CL can wear the crown
It's Jazzy Jeff on the turntables
CL on the M-IC philly on up to the NYC
And breakdances, God, tags in the trainyard
Wild style fat laced, thugs locked up
From a 1980's case
Goons with them grown kids
Used to them long bids
Meet you on the dance floor
Slash the visit did, a lot from the rep to
And see it all makes sense, if I'm the king
Then that should make you the fresh prince
Send for the driver
You lookin' at the real soul survivor
Like my man, JPeriod mixtape, the Man on Fire
Featurin' the guest that Jeff host
You marvel at the up close and personal
Meetin' of the minds
You should read the signs
This is what reclines
The thoughts in my lazy boy
Fit like a hand and glove
From the city of brotherly love
All I know, is the way it gotta go
And everything it take to hold me down
All I see, is the way it gotta be
If you came to see me hit the town
This is my vibe, the way I survive
And peoples can't play me out of bounds
Here's my point, on a Jazzy Jeff joint
Is why CL can wear the crown
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., PRIDE & JOY SONGS PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHALON ALEXANDER, THOMAS BURTON, GREG STREET, DARION CRAWFORD, SHAWN JOHNSON, SIDNEY JOHNSON, TONEY MOSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Samuel Mwangala
All I Know
DJ Jazzy Jeff
I make it move like I wanna move with them horns
Let 'em play with them strings
While I spit the life of kings
Put a could in it
Stood with it, we at it
Dudes that was meant to have it
Fans wanna reach out and grab it
I'm just an ordinary man
With an un-ordinary lifestyle
Seen early, I would live as a child
I was conceived a mistake
But through God was really all it take for me to be born
And make the earth shake
This was raised from the bottom
So before them plain cones got 'em
Soak up the four square miles to pop 'em
Here to put the rumours to rest
And let you celebrate hip hop's best
From the womb to the tomb
Hit the game real soon
With a tune that's gonn' take sun
Straight to the moon
See it's my turn now
All competitors bow
All you sayin' is "WOW"
It's the way it gotta go
And everything you take to hold me down
It's the way it gotta be
If you came to see me hit the town
And peoples can't play me out of bounds
On the Jazzy Jeff joint
That's why C.L. can wear the crown
When you think about the pedigree
I own the whole catalog
Don't sleep on me dawg
I really waked them streets there
Schooled them young wolves
C.L. will slay anything in his way
Okay it's all about the aura I project
That ultimate connect
And how you see me as a man of respect, right
So it's like a mutual agreement
All your feed is in the
seamon
Let you earn your pay sure
Knows of when you think of what it cost me
And how the world forced me to kill 'em softly baby
How the music sound from the basement
And how the world blessed me
Who let you see the fame don't impress me, dig it
Why it's cut from a different cloth
Keep a real nice piece of the love easy
Anytime you can hold ya head
Then you can hold some bread
And relate to what C.L. said
Yes...
It's Jazzy Jeff on the turntables
C.L. on the M-I-C
Philly on up to the N.Y.C
Tags in the trainyard
Goons with them grown kids
Used to them long bids
Meet you on the dance floor
A lot from the rep to
And seein' it all makes sense
If I'm the king
Then that should make you the fresh prince
You lookin' at the real soul survivor
Like my man J. Period
Featuring the guested Jeff host
You marvel at the up close and personal
You should read the signs
This is what reclines
The thoughts in my lazy boy
Fit like a hand and glove
Through the city of brotherly love
Limits98
Lyrics
Uh Uh-huh
Yeah
(Verse 1)
I make it move like I wanna move with them horns
Let 'em play with them strings while I spit the life of kings
Put a could in the stood with it, we at it
Dudes that was meant to have it
Fans wanna reach out and grab it
I'm just a ordinary man with an unordinary lifestyle
Seen early, I would live as a child
I was conceived a mistake, but through God was really all it take
For me to be born and make the earth shake
This was raised from the bottom so before them plain clones got 'em
Soak up the four square miles to pop 'em
It's me in the flesh, here to put the rumors to rest
And let you celebrate hip hop's best
From the womb to the tomb hit the game real soon
With a tune that's gonna take sun straight to the moon
Tadow
See it's my turn now, all competitors bow
All you saying is 'WOW'
[Chorus]
All I know, it's the way it gotta go
And everything you take to hold me down.
All I see it's the way it gotta be
If you came to see me hit the town.
This is my vibe the way I survive
And peoples can't play me out of bounds.
Here's my point on the Jazzy Jeff joint,
That's why CL can wear the crown
(Verse 2)
When you think about the pedigree, I own the whole catalog
All I'm saying is don't sleep on me dawg
I really walked them streets there
Schooled them young wolves, CL will slay anything in his way.
Okay it's all about the aura I project
That ultimate connect and how you see me as a man of respect, right?
So it's like a mutual agreement, all your feed is in the seamon
Learn the rules, let your earn you pay sure
Knows of when you think of what it cost me
And how the world forced me to kill em softly baby
How the music sound from the basement and how the world blessed me
Who let you see the fame don't impress me, dig it?
Why it's cut from a different cloth, blood it, set it off,
Keep a real nice piece of the love easy.
Anytime you can hold ya head
Then you can hold some bread and relate to what CL said, yes...
[Chorus]
All I know, it's the way it gotta go
And everything you take to hold me down.
All I see it's the way it gotta be
If you came to see me hit the town.
This is my vibe the way I survive
And peoples can't play me out of bounds.
Here's my point on the Jazzy Jeff joint,
That's why CL can wear the crown
(Verse 3)
Jazzy Jeff on the turntables, CL on the M-I-C
Philly on up to the NYC and break-dances, God, Tags in the trainyard.
Wild style fat laced, thugs locked up from a 1980's case
Goons with them grown kids used to them long bids
Meet you on the dance floor
Slash the visit then a lot from the rep to?
And seeing it all makes sense
If I'm the king, then that should make you the fresh prince
Send for the driver, you looking at the real soul survivor
Like my man J Period's mix tape, the man on fire
Featuring a guested Jeff host
You marvel at the up close and personal
Meeting other minds
You should read the signs, this is what reclines
The thoughts in my lazy boy
Fit like a hand and glove
From a city of brotherly love
[Chorus]
All I know, it's the way it gotta go
And everything you take to hold me down.
All I see it's the way it gotta be
If you came to see me hit the town.
This is my vibe the way I survive
And peoples can't play me out of bounds.
Here's my point on the Jazzy Jeff joint,
That's why CL can wear the crown
(Outro)
C.L Smooth
C.L Smooth
C.L Smooth
C.L Smooth
C.L Smooth
C.L Smooth
ViveLeFantome
Fresh and fantastic. Pure hip-hop, unlike the over-produced nonsense all over the radio these days. Good stuff!!
Nyambayar Togtohtur
Just wait till 2022
Christopher Mendoza
Crap had no idea this was on nba live :/ , always been a 2k guy, but this song has always been amazing af , to me, especially since I love 90’s rap, still listening in 2020, anyone else?
Beat Da Bass
This is a fkn vibe, the whole thing ✌️🔥🔥🔥 thanks for creating such a great piece !!
KCTOR Michigan
I wish I could've made it to the industry smh I would've loved to do music with Jazzy Jeff
Humble 9300
Nah fuck the industry. You don't need the industry to make music and network.
Lateshia Childs
Me too
Emiliano Zapata
Who say you cant? Just a lot of Work work work... Go for it.
Daniel Olivas
We need more of this Hip Hop less 2020
Ronnie Ochero
one of my favourite songs ever!