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.

Made You Look
DJ Jazzy Jeff Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bravehearts

Uh, uh, uh, now let's get it all in perspective
For all y'all enjoyment, a song y'all can step wit'
Y'all appointed me to bring rap justice
But I ain't Five-O, y'all know it's Nas-Yo
Grey goose and a whole lotta hydro
Only describe us as soldier survivors

Stay laced in the best, well dressed with finesse
In a white tee lookin' for wifey
Thug girl who fly and talks so nicely
Put her in the coupe so she can feel the nice breeze
We can drive through the city no doubt
But don't say my car's topless, say the titties is out
Newness here's the Anthem
Put your hand up that you shoot with, count your loot wit'
Push the pool stick in your new crib, same hand that you hoop with
Swing around like you stupid, king o'the town, yeah I been that
You know I click-clack where you and your mens at?
Do the Smurf, do the Wop, Baseball Bat
Rooftop like we bringing '88 back

They shootin', Aw made you look
You a slave to a page in my rhyme book
Gettin' Big money, playboy your time's up
Where them gangstas? Where them dimes at?

They shootin', Aw made you look
You a slave to a page in my rhyme book
Gettin' Big money, playboy your time's up
Where them gangstas? Where them dimes at?

This ain't rappin', this is Street-Hop
Now get up off your ass like your seat's hot
My live niggas lit up the reefer
Trunk o'the car, we got the street sweeper
Don't start none, won't be none
No reason for your mans to panic
You don't want to see no ambulances
Knock a pimp's drink down in his pimp cup
That's the way you get Timberland'd up
Let the music diffuse all the tension
Baller convention, free admission
Hustlers, dealers and killers can move swift
Girls get close, you can feel where the tool's kept
All my just comin' homeys, parolees
Get money, leave the beef alone slowly
Get out my face, you people so phoney
Pull out my waist, the eagle fo-forty

They shootin', Aw made you look
You a slave to a page in my rhyme book
Gettin' Big money, playboy your time's up
Where them gangstas? Where them dimes at?

They shootin', Aw made you look
You a slave to a page in my rhyme book
Gettin' Big money, playboy your time's up
Where them gangstas? Where them dimes at?

Bravehearts

I see niggas runnin', yo my mood is real rude
I lay you out, show you what steel do
Mobsters don't box, my pump shot obliges
Every invitation to fight you punk hazas
Like Pun said, "You ain't even en mi clasa!"
Maybach Benz, back seat, T.V. plasma
Ladies lookin' for athletes or rappers
Whatever you choose, whatever you do
Make sure he a thug and intelligent too
Like a real thoroughbred is, show me love
Lemme feel how the head is
Females whose the sexiest is always the nastiest

And I like a little sassiness, a lotta class
Mommy reach in your bag, pass the fifth

I'm a leader, at last this a don you wit'
My nines'll spit, niggas loose consciousness

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of DJ Jazzy Jeff's song "Made You Look" featuring Bravehearts are packed with vivid imagery that captures the essence of street culture. The song is a celebration of the urban lifestyle and the resilience and toughness of the people who live it. It offers a fresh take on the traditional themes of rap music, such as violence, sex, and power, and elevates them to a poetic level. The lyrics are full of metaphors and allusions that help to convey the message of the song and make it more relatable to the people who listen to it.

The song begins with a call for perspective and an acknowledgment of the importance of the art of rap. Nas, the rapper behind the Bravehearts, declares that he has been appointed to bring rap justice, but he is not a police officer or Five-O. He identifies himself as an artist who tells stories about his experiences and observations, using the urban landscape as his canvas. He paints a picture of his life, where he drinks Grey Goose and smokes hydro, and is always well-dressed and fashionable. He boasts of his success, his wealth, and his status as a king of the town.

The chorus of the song, "They shootin', Aw made you look, You a slave to a page in my rhyme book, Gettin' Big money, playboy your time's up, Where them gangstas? Where them dimes at?" encapsulates the core themes of the song. Nas is asserting his power and influence over his listeners, making them his "slave" by entrancing them with his rhymes. He is also calling out to his enemies, challenging them to come out and face him. The lyrics convey a sense of danger and risk, as if Nas is always on the brink of a shootout or a fight.

Line by Line Meaning

Uh, uh, uh, now let's get it all in perspective
Let's put everything in the right context

For all y'all enjoyment, a song y'all can step wit'
This song is going to be enjoyable and easy to dance to for everyone

Y'all appointed me to bring rap justice
You all have chosen me to represent true rap music

But I ain't Five-O, y'all know it's Nas-Yo
I'm not a police officer, you know it's me, Nas

Grey goose and a whole lotta hydro
Drinking Grey Goose vodka and smoking weed

Only describe us as soldier survivors
We are like soldiers that have survived tough battles

Stay laced in the best, well dressed with finesse
We always dress our best and have a lot of style

In a white tee lookin' for wifey
Looking for a potential girlfriend while wearing a white t-shirt

Thug girl who fly and talks so nicely
Looking for a girl who is tough but also beautiful and kind

Put her in the coupe so she can feel the nice breeze
Putting her in the car so she can feel the fresh air

We can drive through the city no doubt
We can drive through the city with no problems

But don't say my car's topless, say the titties is out
Don't say my car has no roof, say that the passengers are showing off their bodies

Newness here's the Anthem
This is a new song that everyone should know

Put your hand up that you shoot with, count your loot wit'
Raise your shooting hand and count your money

Push the pool stick in your new crib, same hand that you hoop with
Pushing the pool stick in your new house with the same hand used for basketball

Swing around like you stupid, king o'the town, yeah I been that
Acting foolish but also being the king of the city

You know I click-clack where you and your mens at?
I carry a gun, do you and your friends do?

Do the Smurf, do the Wop, Baseball Bat
Do popular dance moves like The Smurf, The Wop, and using a baseball bat as a prop

Rooftop like we bringing '88 back
On the rooftop like it's the 80s again

They shootin', Aw made you look
Gunfire, made you turn your head and look towards it

You a slave to a page in my rhyme book
My lyrics have control over you

Gettin' Big money, playboy your time's up
Making lots of money, and it's time for others to step up

Where them gangstas? Where them dimes at?
Where are the tough guys? Where are the beautiful women?

This ain't rappin', this is Street-Hop
This isn't just music, it's a representation of the streets

Now get up off your ass like your seat's hot
Get up and start moving to the music

My live niggas lit up the reefer
My friends are smoking marijuana

Trunk o'the car, we got the street sweeper
Our car has a shotgun in the trunk

Don't start none, won't be none
Don't cause any problems, and there won't be any problems

No reason for your mans to panic
There is no need for your friends to be afraid

You don't want to see no ambulances
You don't want to get hurt and see ambulances

Knock a pimp's drink down in his pimp cup
Spilling a pimp's drink in his decorative cup

That's the way you get Timberland'd up
That's how you get into a fight and need new Timberland boots

Let the music diffuse all the tension
Let the music calm everyone down

Baller convention, free admission
Everyone is invited to this gathering of successful people

Hustlers, dealers and killers can move swift
These types of people can move quickly and effectively

Girls get close, you can feel where the tool's kept
Girls get close to us and can feel our guns

All my just comin' homeys, parolees
Friends who have just gotten out of jail or are on parole

Get money, leave the beef alone slowly
Focus on making money instead of starting fights

Get out my face, you people so phoney
Leave me alone, you're so fake

Pull out my waist, the eagle fo-forty
Pull out my gun, the eagle 44

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEREMIAH PATRICK LORDAN, NASIR JONES, SALAAM REMI GIBBS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS