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.
We Are
DJ Jazzy Jeff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hope lives on, if not through me through song
I'm getting the long, take deep breaths and hold on
I write like I realize I could be gone
I'm here, is the true meaning of love clear?
If love is pain, is love really fair?
Is the meaning of life just to breed?
Some think men don't cry, well, here's tears
Been told all these lives for these years
It's unclear why truth is untold
But hold fast and truth will unfold
I know but it's kinda hard to believe
That a whole generation will die over greed
And that most of our young will die overseas
But it all remains to go unseen
We are living for today not the past, trying to hold on
Cause the trouble won't last
We are showing that the roots run deep
And the hope won't cease 'cause everyday we believe
We will, hold on and hold out, put it together
And make it work somehow
This is, this for Malcolm and music
My story, my movement, never forgetting the children
Keep your head to the sky
The only way that you fail is if you never ever try
Where I come from, I'm there for you, care for you
You don't have to worry I'm gonna always be there for you
Doing what, laying the foundation 'cause we gonna make it
But it's gonna take dedication
And what and hope and love and peace
I hope one day you'll see and then you can join us
Listen if you love me say the words to me
I'm surrounded by so many things that hurt to me
You know you'll always come first to me
This is music, it ain't nothing but a verse to me
Remember after the pain there's sunshine
It's not in vain we all feel it sometimes
Stay strong, hold on, we gonna make good
Every member [Incomprehensible]
We are living for today not the past, trying to hold on
Cause the trouble won't last
We are showing that the roots run deep
And the hope won't cease 'cause everyday we believe
We will, hold on and hold out, put it together
And make it work somehow
This is, this for Malcolm and music
My story, my movement, never forgetting the children
This is for the mothers single handed
For all the ghettos way to dammit
Hey, the world, don't you panic
Let courage lead you right
Darkness is temporary
Even though the future's looking scary, yeah it is
The most I don't make mistakes
When your chosen us the light
I know we're a long way from home
On this land that they stole, took it all
Gave us drugs after gold
Incarceration to a fold
To raise the murder toll
What else, to divide communities
Do away with unity
Where the strength is human beings
We are living for today not the past, trying to hold on
Cause the trouble won't last
We are showing that the roots run deep
And the hope won't cease 'cause everyday we believe
We will, hold on and hold out, put it together
And make it work somehow
This is, this for Malcolm and music
My story, my movement, never forgetting the children
We are living for today not the past, trying to hold on
Cause the trouble won't last
We are showing that the roots run deep
And the hope won't cease 'cause everyday we believe
We will, hold on and hold out, put it together
And make it work somehow
This is, this for Malcolm and music
My story, my movement, never forgetting the children
The lyrics of DJ Jazzy Jeff's "We Are" are a powerful commentary on the state of the world and the human condition. The first verse sets the tone, acknowledging the uncertainty and fragility of life, but also the power of hope and music in sustaining us through difficult times. The second verse challenges traditional notions of love, life, and death, questioning whether love is fair, whether the meaning of life is simply procreation, and whether death means losing everything we hold dear. The third and fourth verses address broader societal issues, including the impact of greed, war, and systemic inequality, as well as the need for unity, strength, and courage.
Throughout the song, DJ Jazzy Jeff emphasizes the importance of holding on to hope, holding out for a better future, and staying committed to one's beliefs and values. He also pays tribute to Malcolm X and his legacy of activism and social justice, reminding listeners of the need to never forget the struggles of the past or the children who will inherit the world we leave behind.
Overall, "We Are" is a call to action and a plea for unity in the face of adversity. It is a reminder that despite the challenges we face, we have the power to create a better future for ourselves and for the generations that come after us.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, just feeling the way that I do
I am expressing my emotions and thoughts through my music.
Hope lives on, if not through me through song
Even if I lose hope, I can always find it again through creating music.
I'm getting the long, take deep breaths and hold on
I am enduring hardships and staying strong while taking deep breaths to remain calm.
I write like I realize I could be gone
I write my music as if it could be my last, understanding the fleetingness of life.
I'm here, is the true meaning of love clear?
Being present in the moment may bring clarity to what love really means.
If love is pain, is love really fair?
Wondering if the pain associated with love makes it an unfair emotion.
Is the meaning of life just to breed?
Questioning if the sole purpose of life is to reproduce.
Is death losing all of your precious things?
Wondering if death means losing everything that is important to us.
Some think men don't cry, well, here's tears
Some people believe that men should not show emotion, but I am shedding tears to express my feelings.
Been told all these lives for these years
I have been told certain things my entire life, but I am learning to think for myself.
It's unclear why truth is untold
It's difficult to understand why the truth is not always spoken.
But hold fast and truth will unfold
Despite the uncertainty, holding onto the belief that the truth will eventually be revealed.
I know but it's kinda hard to believe
I understand something, but it's difficult to fully comprehend or accept.
That a whole generation will die over greed
It's hard to believe that an entire generation of people will die due to greed and selfishness.
And that most of our young will die overseas
It's disheartening that many of our youth will die while serving overseas.
But it all remains to go unseen
Despite knowing these things, it seems to go unnoticed and unacknowledged by many.
We are living for today not the past, trying to hold on
We are focusing on the present and staying strong amidst the struggles.
Cause the trouble won't last
Believing that the difficulties we're facing won't last forever.
We are showing that the roots run deep
Through our actions and words, we are demonstrating that our beliefs and values are deeply ingrained.
And the hope won't cease 'cause everyday we believe
We hold onto hope because we believe in it every single day.
We will, hold on and hold out, put it together
We will persevere and continue to work towards our goals, even when it gets tough.
And make it work somehow
We will find a way to make things work, even if it seems impossible.
This is, this for Malcolm and music
This music is dedicated to Malcolm X and the power of music.
My story, my movement, never forgetting the children
My music tells a personal story and is part of a larger movement that never forgets the importance of the future generations.
Keep your head to the sky
Stay hopeful and always look up for inspiration.
The only way that you fail is if you never ever try
The only true failure is giving up altogether without even trying.
Where I come from, I'm there for you, care for you
In my community, I am there to support and care for those around me.
You don't have to worry I'm gonna always be there for you
Assuring someone that they don't have to worry because I will always be there for them.
Doing what, laying the foundation 'cause we gonna make it
Working hard and building a foundation to ensure that we succeed in our goals.
But it's gonna take dedication
Acknowledging that it won't be easy, but it will take dedication and hard work to achieve our goals.
And what and hope and love and peace
Emphasizing the importance of hope, love, and peace in achieving success.
I hope one day you'll see and then you can join us
Expressing the hope that others will see the value of our cause and join us in making a positive change.
Remember after the pain there's sunshine
Reminding others that even in the midst of pain, brighter days are ahead.
It's not in vain we all feel it sometimes
Acknowledging that we all experience pain at times, but it is not without purpose.
Stay strong, hold on, we gonna make good
Encouraging others to stay strong and hold on, knowing that we will ultimately achieve success.
Every member [Incomprehensible]
Unknown or unclear meaning.
This is for the mothers single handed
This music is dedicated to the strong mothers who have raised their children on their own.
For all the ghettos way to dammit
This music is for all the people living in impoverished areas and facing adversity every day.
Hey, the world, don't you panic
Encouraging the world not to panic and to remain calm in the midst of chaos.
Let courage lead you right
Encouraging others to be courageous and let it guide them towards their goals.
Darkness is temporary
Reminding others that even in the darkest times, it is only temporary.
Even though the future's looking scary, yeah it is
Acknowledging that the future may seem daunting and uncertain.
The most I don't make mistakes
Believing that a higher power does not make mistakes in our lives.
When your chosen us the light
Believing that when we choose to follow the path of the light, we are making the right choice.
I know we're a long way from home
Feeling disconnected and far away from where one considers 'home.'
On this land that they stole, took it all
Referring to the history of colonization and theft of land from indigenous peoples.
Gave us drugs after gold
Referencing the exploitation and distribution of drugs to communities to gain economic power.
Incarceration to a fold
Referring to the disproportionate incarceration rates of marginalized communities, and how it keeps them oppressed.
To raise the murder toll
Speculating that there may be a motive for raising murder rates in certain communities.
What else, to divide communities
Acknowledging that there may be a reason for wanting to intentionally divide communities.
Do away with unity
There may be a motive for wanting to get rid of the unity and collectivism in a community.
Where the strength is human beings
Emphasizing the power and strength of human beings, and how that can overcome adversity.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jason Boyd, Justin Bieber, Andre Harris, Donovan Knight, Nasir Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cyrilhuet21
One of the best
@Strijder123
Smooth track Cy Young is a great mc!
@realness1997
The beat and the lyrics are so unappreciated on this track by many.
@ryancarnahiba1619
Jazzy JEFF you are A NICE DJ
@t.castro4493
This is awesome, I'm glad I found this. Jazzy Jeff is a legend
@kendonaldson3341
This album is boom had it from it come out play it regular big up jazzy Jeff