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.
Da Rebirth
DJ Jazzy Jeff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Cy Young]
A one two, a one two
A one two, a one two
I'd like to introduce myself..
Many people think this style is terrific
It is kinda different, but lets be specific
Peace to KRS-ONE & Scott La Rock for the way that they did it
Peace to N.Y., not forgettin'
Rakim and Kane the list is too long to mention, all of yall
But since we here, put your hands up and enjoy yourselves
Cuz we just feelin it on the mic
And I'ma live hiphop for the rest of my life
And I'ma represent for the rest of my life
This is the life back when limits was ice
And niggas would bust, bust with the lyrics on mics
And you could start a house party just by killin the lights
DJ's was the life of the party
Back when everybody's favorite song was la di da di
That was love, perfect climax in the club
Then they pump LL cuz they needed the love
Pumas and Nikes, fat laces and shell toes
MC Lyte's voice alone used to steal the show
Everybody used to build and flow
We took turns with the beat box and watched the cypher grow
Words was dope and fly clothes was fresh
Plus everybody paid respect to Jazzy Jeff
That was dope
NOT ectasy
NOT coke
NOT killin' young kids for coats
NOT teachin' young girls how to sell their souls
NOT runnin' in homes or car jackers
NOT leavin' your own
I wanna go back to flows
Back to beats, breakers and shows
Back to sweats and (?)
Start re-buildin', let me know if you feel it
And I know all yall gon' feel it
And I know it hurts, but I swear you got to hear it
It's been a long time so you probably fear it
Any misconceptions killed it
Anytime my mics turned on and I'm anywhere near it
Ohhhh
Yes yes yall, you don't stop
Right about now we got DJ Jazzy Jeff on the wheels of steeeel
The lyrics to DJ Jazzy Jeff's song Da Rebirth featuring Cy Young pay homage to the golden era of hip hop. Cy Young starts off by introducing himself and acknowledging the unique style of the genre. He pays homage to KRS-ONE, Scott La Rock, Rakim, and Kane for their contribution to the development of hip hop in New York. He encourages the audience to put their hands up and enjoy themselves while feeling the music on the mic. Cy Young further talks about how DJ's were the life of the party and how everyone loved the classic song "La Di Da Di." He nostalgically remembers the days when MC Lyte's voice alone used to steal the show and how everyone respected Jazzy Jeff. The song is a tribute to the purity of hip hop before it was corrupted by drugs, violence, and materialism.
The lyrics beautifully capture the essence of old-school hip hop while encouraging listeners to go back to that period and appreciate it. The overall message of the song is to rebuild and bring back the true essence of hip hop. The use of "not" in the lyrics is an explicit rejection of the negative aspects of hip hop culture that have emerged over the years. Jazzy Jeff, who is well-known for his DJing skills, is featured on the track, and the song concludes on a positive note, with Cy Young and Jazzy Jeff reminding listeners that "Yes yes y'all, you don't stop."
Line by Line Meaning
A one two, a one two
Introducing oneself
A one two, a one two
Continuing to introduce oneself
I'd like to introduce myself..
Formally introducing oneself
Many people think this style is terrific
Acknowledging the uniqueness of one's style
It is kinda different, but lets be specific
Clarifying the uniqueness of one's style
Let's pay respects, dig it
Honoring those who came before
Peace to KRS-ONE & Scott La Rock for the way that they did it
Giving respect to KRS-ONE & Scott La Rock for their contributions to hip-hop
Peace to N.Y., not forgettin'
Recognizing the importance of New York City in hip-hop
Rakim and Kane the list is too long to mention, all of yall
Acknowledging the many greats in hip-hop
But since we here, put your hands up and enjoy yourselves
Encouraging the audience to have a good time
Cuz we just feelin it on the mic
Expressing the joy of performing
And I'ma live hiphop for the rest of my life
Committing to hip-hop as a way of life
And I'ma represent for the rest of my life
Committing to representing hip-hop
This is the life back when limits was ice
Reflecting on the good old days of hip-hop
And niggas would bust, bust with the lyrics on mics
Remembering freestyle battles
And you could start a house party just by killin the lights
Remembering the power of music to start a party
DJ's was the life of the party
Recognizing the importance of DJs in hip-hop
Back when everybody's favorite song was la di da di
Remembering a popular hip-hop song
That was love, perfect climax in the club
Describing the joys of a good party
Then they pump LL cuz they needed the love
Remembering when LL Cool J was popular
Pumas and Nikes, fat laces and shell toes
Describing popular hip-hop fashion
MC Lyte's voice alone used to steal the show
Recognizing MC Lyte's talent
Everybody used to build and flow
Remembering the creative process of hip-hop
We took turns with the beat box and watched the cypher grow
Remembering freestyle sessions in a group
Words was dope and fly clothes was fresh
Describing the coolness of hip-hop culture
Plus everybody paid respect to Jazzy Jeff
Recognizing DJ Jazzy Jeff's contribution to hip-hop
That was dope
Reaffirming the greatness of hip-hop culture
NOT ectasy
Expressing disapproval of drug use
NOT coke
Expressing disapproval of drug use
NOT killin' young kids for coats
Expressing disapproval of violence
NOT teachin' young girls how to sell their souls
Expressing disapproval of exploitation
NOT runnin' in homes or car jackers
Expressing disapproval of crime
NOT leavin' your own
Encouraging loyalty to one's community
I wanna go back to flows
Expressing a desire to return to old school hip-hop style
Back to beats, breakers and shows
Describing the elements of old school hip-hop
Back to sweats and (?)
Describing old school hip-hop fashion
Start re-buildin', let me know if you feel it
Encouraging the audience to help rebuild hip-hop culture
And I know all yall gon' feel it
Believing that the audience will support the effort
And I know it hurts, but I swear you got to hear it
Acknowledging that change is difficult, but necessary
It's been a long time so you probably fear it
Recognizing that change can be scary
Any misconceptions killed it
Rejecting any negative ideas about old school hip-hop culture
Anytime my mics turned on and I'm anywhere near it
Expressing a commitment to hip-hop culture
Ohhhh
Ad-lib
Yes yes yall, you don't stop
Encouraging the audience to keep the party going
Right about now we got DJ Jazzy Jeff on the wheels of steeeel
Introducing DJ Jazzy Jeff as the DJ for the night
Contributed by Christopher M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.