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/
All In Together Now
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, with all due respect, not trynna toot my own horn or nothing
But, I'm pretty good at this shit man
Yo, even with a half assed style knowimsayin
Even with a half assed style matter fact, for all y'all niggas
I'm a do this shit real slow are you read?
Yo
Every now and then you... see it on the menu
Grab that shit kid... everybody else did
J-Live records... stay respected
That's that old shit... now its just hot kid
Save it for the flavor... do your self a favor
Don't hold back now... ain't it just wack how
So hard to come by... and the sound done fly
Heads used to slay that... I dare you not to play that
Bring it back
Every now and then you, save it for the flavor
See it on the menu, do your self a favor
Grab that shit kid, don't hold back now
Everybody else did, ain't it just wack how
J-Live records, so hard to come by
Stay respected, and the sound done fly
That's that old shit, heads used to slay that
Now its just hot kid, dare you not to play that
[Chorus]
All in together now (no, not yet) (X8)
[Verse Two]
there's so many of these... wack ass emcees
Try as they might... they just can't get it right
Family traditions... require me to diss'em
Don't even really miss'em... they keep me in they system
'cause I got the true school rhyme style... shouldn't even speak on it
The way that I freak it... is kinda top secret
Handed down to me... the microphones and crowds
After they gone... J-Live rocks on
Yaknowimsayin
'cause there's so many of these, true school rhyme style
Wack ass emcees, shouldn't even speak on it
Try as they might, the way that I freak it
They just can't get it right, its kinda top secret
Family traditions, handed down to me
Require me to diss'em, the microphones and crowds
Don't even really miss'em, After they gone
They keep me in they system, J-Live rocks on
[chorus]
All in together now (no, not yet) (X8)
The song "All In Together Now" by J-Live is a declaration of his skills as an emcee and an assertion of his place in the hip-hop tradition. In the first verse, J-Live speaks about his music being on the menu and how everyone else has already grabbed it. He emphasizes the importance of not holding back and saving nothing for later. J-Live then talks about how his old school style used to be appreciated and respected but now it's just considered hot. He dares the listener not to play his music and brings it back to the chorus.
In the second verse, J-Live asserts himself as a true school emcee and disses those who are not up to par. He emphasizes his unique style and how it has been handed down to him. He talks about how he keeps doing what he does even though others may have stopped. The chorus is repeated again to emphasize the unity in hip-hop culture.
The song "All In Together Now" is a reflection of the times when hip-hop culture was still based on respect and unity. J-Live emphasizes the importance of carrying on the tradition while acknowledging the current state of hip-hop where everyone is trying to stand out. The song can be interpreted as a call for all emcees to come together and value the hip-hop culture that brought them to where they are today.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna, gonna, gonna-gonna-gonna blaze the cold rock stuff
I am going to perform exceptionally well with my music.
Yo, with all due respect, not trynna toot my own horn or nothing
I'm not trying to brag, but I'm good at what I do.
But, I'm pretty good at this shit man
I am highly skilled at my craft.
Yo, even with a half assed style knowimsayin
Even if I'm not putting in max effort, I'm still better than most.
Even with a half assed style matter fact, for all y'all niggas
In fact, my mediocre work is still better than most other rappers' best.
I'm a do this shit real slow are you read?
I'm going to perform this song at a slower pace, do you understand?
Every now and then you, save it for the flavor
Sometimes you have to hold back and wait for the right moment to truly enjoy something.
See it on the menu, do your self a favor
When you see something that you know you'll enjoy, go ahead and get it.
Grab that shit kid, don't hold back now
When you find something you love, dive in.
Everybody else did, ain't it just wack how
It's stupid to skip out on something you love just because others are already into it.
J-Live records, so hard to come by
My music may be hard to find or obtain, but it's worth it when you do.
Stay respected, and the sound done fly
I am a respected artist, and my music is great.
That's that old shit, heads used to slay that
My earlier music was amazing and people loved it.
Now its just hot kid, dare you not to play that
My newer music is even better, and you'd be crazy not to listen to it.
there's so many of these, true school rhyme style
There are many rappers trying to do what I do, but they can't compare.
Wack ass emcees, shouldn't even speak on it
These bad rappers shouldn't even bother trying to match my skill.
Try as they might, the way that I freak it
They can try, but they will never be able to match my unique style.
They just can't get it right, its kinda top secret
My style is so original and unique, no one else can fully replicate it.
Family traditions, handed down to me
I have an important legacy behind me that influences my art.
Require me to diss'em, the microphones and crowds
Part of my background requires me to rap lyrically and confidently against my peers.
Don't even really miss'em, After they gone
I don't miss these other rappers when they leave the scene.
They keep me in they system, J-Live rocks on
Despite any criticism or negativity, I will continue to create music and perform.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind