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/
Audio Visual
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ayyo I see y'all through these speakers and headphones
Bobbin to the beat, anticipating a poem
In the streets and boulevards or parts unknown
Your office, warehouse, or restricted zone
At your friends place, or comfort of your own home
Whether ya' just arrived or about to get gone
Whether ya' eating breakfast or about to bone
You see me? Not likely, not on TV
Despite that though I show you something in 3D
It's not that hard, but it's not that easy
I paint a picture in your mind with each rhyme
They say my words write a thousand pictures
A thousand scriptures, couldn't prophesize
How the images hit the spot where the best light
In the house be, just to show all y'all what I see
[Chorus] {J-Live}
Some see with the eyes, and
Some see with the hands, I'm
Hoping you see with your ears
If you understand,
From the chosen track down to the vocals on it
It's just live thoughts recorded
So that you can own it
Some see with the eyes, and
Some see with the hands, I'm
Hoping you see with your ears
If you understand
The type of music people frame up on your wall
This is the audio-visual for all of y'all
[Verse 2] {J-Live}
Ayyo I see y'all average, 'C' average rappers
Please, pass the mic', cause you barely passed the class
I was new school late, I be old school early
My classics kicked the head of the class' ass
With all sales final, accepted "as is"
It's no checks written that my rhymes can't cash
Like Cassius Ali, I leave you leaking excuses
Like you wouldn't hit a man with glasses
But despite these four eyes
I still paint a picture with words
That be a sight for sore eyes
Sample a cliché to touché hearts and minds
If you get the point, you see things my way
Not like you need some quote-en-quote Coke bottles
You just be rocking a pair, sweating your role model
The vocab' chump change I maintain
It's what your mind would hope to obtain if it struck lotto
I guess in that way we see things differently
We at the same vantage point seeing different things
Y'all see yourselves as struggling starving artists
I take advantage of the progress the struggle brings
Y'all see yourselves as bubbling pop rock stars
I see so many bubbles popped I never got far
The only stars I know is in the sky, in a child's eye
That's why I just try to describe what I see
[Chorus]
[Verse 3] {J-Live}
Yo, y'all saw bootleggers stealing music killing me
I saw fans keeping the buzz healing me
In fact, I see 'em at the show they feeling me
That's why I'm still in the field, even without a deal
These ain't the last days but they say they soon to be
People's audio-visuals in the name of unity
I see poison pushers in they own community
Saying "Fuck It" that's they only opportunity
I see grown folks acting just like little kids
And little kids thinking that's what they should grow to be
I see herbs outside wishing they were killers
And I see killers inside wishing they were free
I see gods, and we build on how we see degrees in the light
Food for thought like Apple Jacks we eat what we like
But hopefully we like what we need
And the truth is the light
If its right, you could see
[Chorus]
In J-Live's song "Audio Visual," the rapper speaks to his listeners about the power of music and the way it can be seen through the mind's eye. He describes how listeners can see him not on TV but through the singers and headphones. He paints vivid images with his words, saying that his "words write a thousand pictures." J-Live's lyrics challenge the idea that seeing is believing, urging his listeners to see with their ears and understand the power of music beyond the visual. He puts the visualizations in the minds of the listeners through his rhymes.
In the second verse, J-Live addresses the perception of artists and their struggles in the music industry. He critiques those who label themselves as "struggling starving artists" and those who strive to become "bubbling pop rock stars." He sees things differently from what is visible, stating that he takes advantage of the progress that the struggle brings. His experiences have shown him that listening to the music is a form of healing, which contrasts with bootleggers stealing music to make a profit. J-Live discusses issues that go beyond music, touching on the struggle in the community and the perception of society. In this song, J-Live displays his talent for expressing complex ideas through his powerful lyricism.
Line by Line Meaning
Ayyo I see y'all through these speakers and headphones
I understand that you are listening to me through your devices and I appreciate the anticipation of hearing my poetry
In the streets and boulevards or parts unknown
Whether you are in a familiar or unfamiliar place, my music is accessible to you
Your office, warehouse, or restricted zone
My music can be enjoyed even in places where personal freedom is restricted
Whether ya' just arrived or about to get gone
Whether you are just starting your day or ending it, my music is here for you
They say my words write a thousand pictures
My words are powerful in that they can create vivid imagery in the listener's mind
Ayyo I see y'all average, 'C' average rappers
I recognize that some rappers are mediocre at best and I challenge them to do better
My classics kicked the head of the class' ass
My previous works are exemplary and have surpassed the competition
I see so many bubbles popped I never got far
I am aware of the pitfalls in the music industry and understand that success is not guaranteed
These ain't the last days but they say they soon to be
Although people may talk about the end of times, I see hope for the future
And I see killers inside wishing they were free
Even those who commit crimes may desire freedom and a better life
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
gabekx60the2nd
This beat is so sick!!!
Phil Hulbig
This song gets better every time I listen to it
Christian G.
The best in the album
Danielle Miller
OMG the Original is back up!!!!!!!!! Can't thank you enough!! Peace!!
trebor0123
i wish someone would post The Sidewalks song on this album haha but yea this song is dope !
87_classic
this tight!
mack Zardes
Awesome...yaaheeeerrd mee!!!! Dey tore it down, but we still represent knuuuckaah...IVP 4th ward New Orleans....RIP Paul, Mike aka Crazy Frank,Big George Page, Charles Jefferson, Cigar, Mookie, Telley aka Wild Bill aka Telley Bill, Pop,Derrick, Lil Bryon, Pretty, Jenell aka Twin, Cedric Brown aka Ced, Renard aka Nardy, Etlon, Lil Chuck, Oscar aka Duke, Dudu, Melvin aka Melo!!!
Sarothi
fuckin a, this is awesome :)
anttiutoopia
motherfuckin J-Live!
grigurio
❤️