J-Live was born and raised in Uptown Manhattan, New York City. After making… Read Full Bio ↴J-Live was born and raised in Uptown Manhattan, New York City. After making a home for himself in Brooklyn upon graduating from SUNY at Albany, J relocated to Philadelphia in 2003. "Moving to Philly was more for the family than any kind of career move. But the whole music scene here and the hip hop community here have embraced me with open arms since I arrived. I've gotten a lot of support from so many different artists and dee jays. This city is jam packed with talented and beautiful people."

J-Live started his career by releasing solid 12" such as "Longevity", "Braggin' Writes", and "Hush the Crowd", which earned him a spot in The Source's "Unsigned Hype" column.

Recorded mostly at J's own Triple Threat Studios in Philadelphia, The Hear After actually seems to have taken on a life of its own. Guest vocalist on the album, include up and coming artist, Kola Rock, Cvees, and the soulful sounds of Virgin recording artist, Dwele. The album features production by Floyd the Locsmif (Atl), Hezekiah, James Poysner (Philly), Probe DMS, Fire Dept., (NYC), Oddisee (DC), and J-Live himself. "The title is a play on words. People think of the here after as the after life or somewhere you go when you die. Like heaven or hell. Me personally, I see heaven as being at peace with yourself while you're alive. I see hell as the path you choose in life as opposed to a place you go after death. The album is called The Hear After because I'm at peace with myself musically, and I've been through hell to get that way. This is what you "hear after" all that has transpired so far. This is what I've been working to accomplish since the last album."

Like J's last two full length records, The Best Part and All of the Above, The Hear After covers a wide range of thoughts and emotions both musically and with its subject matter. "If you were to look at the whole thing, you would see a story line about an artist trying to maintain and expand his career and still be there for his family. That was the biggest struggle while making the record, and its no coincidence that it's a theme that becomes obvious listening to it. But there are songs about almost every aspect of my life from growing up in the city, to raising kids, touring heavy, building and teaching, politics, party and bullshit. I can't just spit about one thing for a whole record. That's not my style."

J-Live has been rhyming and mixing since the age of 12 but he has made much more of a name for himself as an MC than as a DJ. "I definitely focus on rhyming more. Growing up doing both it was easier on the pockets to be an MC. Records and equipment can get expensive. But I love spinning." One of the highlights of his entertaining live show is when he rhymes and beat juggles on the turntables simultaneously, performing his classic, "Braggin' Writes." J-Live is also known to produce beats.

J-Live has always used music to get his messages across. He explains, "I grew up listening to everything from BDP to NWA, to PE [[artist]Public Enemy], Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Nice and Smooth. Whether the music was pimped out, gangsta, militant or whatever, rappers had something important to say to kids like me. And I listened intently. As a 5%er, I can't imagine how much of an influence hip hop had on the way I see the world."

Case in point, J's favorite song on the album, "Audio Visual" is so descriptive it's a song "in 3-D". From the quirky, key accents to the thick-ass bottom running throughout the song, J-Live paints a colorful, picture of his life on and off the mic. "Brooklyn Public" is his ode to his days as an educator. Earlier in his career, J-Live taught middle school English/Language Arts in Brooklyn for a few years.

Making music for the walkmans as well as the Jeeps, J-Live made a mature, sonically sophisticated album. "I feel like I represent hip hop's middle class. Seems like everybody's either crying broke or screaming rich or both. I try to speak to the people in between. The everyday hard working fun loving hip hop heads."

Year Formed: 1995
Official Site: http://www.j-livemusic.com/

After
J-Live Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

After midnight
We're gonna let it all hang out
After midnight
We're gonna chug-a-lug and shout
We're gonna 'cause talk and suspicion
Give an exhibition
Find out what it is all about

After midnight
We're gonna let it all hang out
After midnight
Gonna shake your tambourine
After midnight it's gonna be peaches and cream, hmm
We're gonna cause talk and suspicion
Give an exhibition
Find out what it is all about

After midnight
We're gonna let it all hang out

We're gonna 'cause talk and suspicion
Give an exhibition
Find out what it is all about

After midnight
We're gonna let it all hang out

After midnight
We're gonna let it all hang out

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to J-Live's song "After" are fairly straightforward and have a playful tone. The song is essentially about the freedom and excitement that comes after midnight, when inhibitions are let go and people can truly be themselves. The repeated phrase "we're gonna let it all hang out" symbolizes the idea of letting go of societal expectations and expressing oneself freely.

The first verse talks about chugging and shouting, indicating a sense of indulgence and unrestrained behavior. The singer also mentions causing talk and suspicion, suggesting that their actions may be seen as unconventional or even controversial. However, they embrace this and are determined to put on a show, to give an exhibition of their true selves.

The chorus emphasizes the idea of letting loose after midnight, using the metaphor of shaking a tambourine, which represents making some noise and celebrating. The line "it's gonna be peaches and cream" adds a touch of sensuality, suggesting that after midnight, everything will be smooth and delightful.

The second verse repeats the sentiment of the first, highlighting the desire to let it all hang out and find out what it's all about. It's an invitation to explore and embrace the unknown, to break free from societal constraints and discover one's authentic self.

Line by Line Meaning

After midnight
Once the clock strikes midnight

We're gonna let it all hang out
We're going to express ourselves freely and without inhibition

After midnight
Once the clock strikes midnight

We're gonna chug-a-lug and shout
We're going to drink and make loud noises

We're gonna 'cause talk and suspicion
We're going to provoke conversations and create doubts

Give an exhibition
Display ourselves for others to see

Find out what it is all about
Discover the true essence of the situation

We're gonna let it all hang out
We're going to express ourselves freely and without inhibition

After midnight
Once the clock strikes midnight

Gonna shake your tambourine
Going to have a lively and joyful celebration

After midnight it's gonna be peaches and cream, hmm
Once it's past midnight, everything will be perfect and delightful