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/
Blackout
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fixin' in the kitchen, but no pork and beans or chicken franks
Spoon of doom, trouble when it would bubble
Subconscious attacks that would later leave 'em befuddled
A family full of thinkers, but drinkers between the blinking
But blinking came as a luxury, bubbly had 'em sinking
As their lids started fading, memories would evade 'em
Then wonder why black and whites had to handcuff and degrade 'em
Mad flippant in haste when that bag of liquor enraged
Skip the patience... or when feds performing searches
Nickels and quarters surged 'cause he couldn't ignore the urges
But who's perfect? Word is not even a nerd
Whose lane was with the D.A.R.E. campaign, could abstain
But a ten-year-old lame with brains just ain't the same
At 20, you French kiss Mary Jane and go insane
How insane... well... try mirages of construction fences
Or arcades with flashing lights are mucking up your senses
You hearing Ben Franklin say, "You got me and you're happy
But coming at you is a Blood, stop your staring at me
Moving train, brain trying to make a prison break
T-top skull, letting the air in, thinking, "This is great
Ate seven half smokes, laugh, joke
Smashed then you crash until two half past, awoke
Months later, your vice morphs into liquid courage
It's the 20th drink and your folks are getting nervous
They try to feed you some pizza to soak the spirits up
You and that slice ain't agreeing, you get to fisticuffs
You take a hit to gut, you can't even stand
So your mans gotta pick you up, made you sicker, spitting up
Your girl caught it on her kicks, still spiffed you up
Sicked your duck, now you sittin' stuck like, "This is love
Let's pick it up, circa June 6th, spliff it up
Game One, NBA Finals: "Wow, the Sixers won
Delayed reaction, stated the day after
You watched the whole game, but was blazed in a daze, captured
It's all vague, piecing the recollection
Ebony shades your brain, can't see it in retrospective
Light bulb flickers, you seeing that late check
And instantly remember, "Dang, I forgot to pay the electric
Thirty-six hours is all it takes
Spend too much time in the dark, no telling if you're awake
Whether you're half baked or toasted
Now you're blinded and debating your approaches
Whether it's Bone Crusher Saturday on empty stomachs, the only one that knows
The way back to the room while all your visitors are simply flummoxed
You give directions, simply rubbish, just another picker upper
Spitting up enough vomit for like fifty drunkards
Your mailbox flooded with late notices
Fine print simply says, "You ain't focused, kid
But you forget 'em, shove 'em off in a corner
Next to the Worker's Testament tucked away in that drawer
You hear Jesus, but listened to Johnny Walker
Only one interaction, too rowdy a talker
Spoke the loudest silence while he covered your eyes
Then you rise and reply, "She said we did it... where was I then
Bachelor party for younger brother
You're four drinks in, but they pouring you up another
While your brain bubble utters, "I get it... when in Rome
I told 'em that I would drive, so how I'ma get him home
Now the liquor gets to thinking for you: "Pick up them keys, Joe
You've done it plenty already? It's a breeze, Joe
But it's different when family fastens the buckle
Their life is now in your hands, if you crash, imagine the trouble
Bruh, you... better hope that that accident snubs you out first
Cause if it doesn't, your mother will cuss you out worse
But in an instant, you're sitting in your Maxima
Scratching up your head, but been a while since you had eczema
"Oh crap, which way did I take him home
295 or the Douglass?" You struggle to make it known
But tucked away in that zone, you see that paper and phone
Get your lights back, even if plans of payments are gone
You're praising God harder than Baptists and Resurrection
Praying that He forgives you for all your dreaded rejections
Could've been dead, could've been messed up, bad batch of the sticky
Involuntarily laughing, you're scratching, but took a bath, dig me
Making all these installments via confession
Your blurred vision's restored, see your reflection
You come to... then you're still kinda perplexed
"Why's this operator so busy tryna to whine bout her ex
This ain't the company you meant to dial, dumb-dumb
You pressed seven-o-three thinking it's nine-one-one
Son... I'm not playing when I tell you I totally blacked out
Like... I drove all the way home that night
And I couldn't remember a thing
I just thank God that everything ain't go black for good
The lyrics to J-Live's song "Blackout" delve into a narrative that explores the consequences and impact of alcohol consumption, particularly within the context of a personal journey filled with moments of blackout drunkenness. The singer of the song navigates through various stages of inebriation and introspection, beginning with a childhood influenced by familial dynamics and struggles with alcoholism. The first paragraph sets the scene with evocative imagery of a troubled past, where substance abuse and familial strife intersect, leading to a sense of disorientation and loss of memories.
As the song progresses, J-Live delves deeper into the singer's experiences with alcohol, highlighting the destructive patterns that emerge as a coping mechanism and a means of escape. The vivid descriptions of drunken episodes, from skipping patience to liquid courage, paint a stark picture of how alcohol can both numb and exacerbate emotional turmoil. The lyrics touch upon themes of regret, blurred lines between reality and illusion, and the toll that excessive drinking takes on relationships and self-perception.
The middle section of the song delves into specific moments of blackout drunkenness, where the singer grapples with escalating levels of intoxication and the ensuing consequences. From physical altercations to moments of confusion and disorientation, the lyrics highlight the disorienting and sometimes dangerous effects of excessive drinking. The singer's internal struggle and attempts to navigate through the haze of alcohol-induced blackout moments serve as a poignant reminder of the fragility of both mind and memory in such states.
J-Live concludes the song with a reflective and introspective tone, as the singer grapples with the aftermath of a blackout episode and the realization of the potential outcomes that could have transpired. The lyrics convey a sense of gratitude and introspection, as the singer comes to terms with the near misses and close calls that come with blackout drinking. Ultimately, the song serves as a cautionary tale that explores the complexities of alcoholism, the impact of blackout moments, and the profound sense of relief and introspection that can follow such experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Eighty-six, too adjacent to the places where his kids would hang
Ignoring or removing from your life things that are too close to where your children spend time
Fixin' in the kitchen, but no pork and beans or chicken franks
Trying to cook in the kitchen but not having typical ingredients
Spoon of doom, trouble when it would bubble
Problems arising when negative things start to surface
Subconscious attacks that would later leave 'em befuddled
Being attacked by thoughts or feelings that confuse you later on
A family full of thinkers, but drinkers between the blinking
A family of intelligent people who struggle with alcoholism
But blinking came as a luxury, bubbly had 'em sinking
Being able to blink is a luxury compared to the effects of alcohol
As their lids started fading, memories would evade 'em
The fading of consciousness leads to the loss of memories
Then wonder why black and whites had to handcuff and degrade 'em
Questioning the reasons behind being arrested and treated poorly
Flip the pages... past stints in the cages
Moving on from past experiences of being in jail
Mad flippant in haste when that bag of liquor enraged
Quickly becoming angry and reckless when consumed alcohol
Skip the patience... or when feds performing searches
Avoiding patience and compliance during police searches
Nickels and quarters surged 'cause he couldn't ignore the urges
Spending money on alcohol due to inability to resist cravings
But who's perfect? Word is not even a nerd
Nobody is perfect, not even someone knowledgeable
Whose lane was with the D.A.R.E. campaign, could abstain
Someone who used to be part of a drug prevention program but still struggled with substances
But a ten-year-old lame with brains just ain't the same
A child with intelligence but lacking in maturity
At 20, you French kiss Mary Jane and go insane
Using drugs at age 20 and experiencing negative effects
How insane... well... try mirages of construction fences
The craziness experienced, resembling hallucinations
Or arcades with flashing lights are mucking up your senses
Being overwhelmed by bright lights in an arcade
You hearing Ben Franklin say, "You got me and you're happy
Imagining a conversation with Ben Franklin and feeling content
But coming at you is a Blood, stop your staring at me
Cautioning someone to stop staring at a gang member
Moving train, brain trying to make a prison break
Feeling like your mind is trying to escape from confinement
T-top skull, letting the air in, thinking, "This is great
Feeling relieved when fresh air enters your skull
Ate seven half smokes, laugh, joke
Eating a lot of food and laughing with friends
Smashed then you crash until two half past, awoke
Drinking heavily then falling asleep and waking up later
Months later, your vice morphs into liquid courage
Over time, alcohol turns into a source of courage for you
It's the 20th drink and your folks are getting nervous
Your family is worried as you consume your 20th drink
They try to feed you some pizza to soak the spirits up
They give you pizza to try to absorb some of the alcohol
You and that slice ain't agreeing, you get to fisticuffs
Disagreeing with pizza and becoming aggressive
You take a hit to gut, you can't even stand
Getting hit in the stomach and being unable to remain standing
So your mans gotta pick you up, made you sicker, spitting up
Your friend has to carry you, causing you to vomit
Your girl caught it on her kicks, still spiffed you up
Your girlfriend's shoes got dirty but she still cleaned you up
Sicked your duck, now you sittin' stuck like, "This is love
Feeling trapped and in love with the situation while being sick
Let's pick it up, circa June 6th, spliff it up
Continuing from June 6th and smoking marijuana
Game One, NBA Finals: "Wow, the Sixers won
Reacting to the NBA Finals with the Sixers winning
Delayed reaction, stated the day after
Having a delayed reaction and realizing the day after
You watched the whole game, but was blazed in a daze, captured
Watching the game high and captured in a daze
It's all vague, piecing the recollection
Trying to remember and understand the vague memories
Ebony shades your brain, can't see it in retrospective
Memories being clouded and unclear in hindsight
Light bulb flickers, you seeing that late check
Having a realization while remembering the late payment
And instantly remember, "Dang, I forgot to pay the electric
Recalling not having paid the electricity bill
Thirty-six hours is all it takes
Just 36 hours can create significant changes
Spend too much time in the dark, no telling if you're awake
Being in a dark place for too long can blur reality
Whether you're half baked or toasted
Regardless if you're partially high or fully intoxicated
Now you're blinded and debating your approaches
Being confused and considering different actions
Whether it's Bone Crusher Saturday on empty stomachs, the only one that knows
Only you know if the consequences of your actions on a certain day were worth it
The way back to the room while all your visitors are simply flummoxed
Finding your way back to a location while your guests are confused
You give directions, simply rubbish, just another picker upper
Providing nonsensical directions and being dismissed by others
Spitting up enough vomit for like fifty drunkards
Vomiting a substantial amount akin to numerous heavy drinkers
Your mailbox flooded with late notices
Receiving an abundance of overdue bills in the mail
Fine print simply says, "You ain't focused, kid
The fine print indicates you haven't been paying attention
But you forget 'em, shove 'em off in a corner
Ignoring the bills and pushing them aside
Next to the Worker's Testament tucked away in that drawer
Placing the bills next to important documents in a drawer
You hear Jesus, but listened to Johnny Walker
Thinking about spiritual matters but following alcohol instead
Only one interaction, too rowdy a talker
Engaging in one conversation but being too loud and drunk
Spoke the loudest silence while he covered your eyes
Speaking loudly while you close your eyes
Then you rise and reply, "She said we did it... where was I then
Getting up and responding to a question about the night before
Bachelor party for younger brother
Attending a celebration for your sibling who is getting married
You're four drinks in, but they pouring you up another
Having had four drinks, but being given another
While your brain bubble utters, "I get it... when in Rome
Realizing things as you consume more alcohol
I told 'em that I would drive, so how I'ma get him home
Promising to be the designated driver but now unsure how to drive someone home
Now the liquor gets to thinking for you: "Pick up them keys, Joe
Alcohol influencing your decision-making to take the car keys
You've done it plenty already? It's a breeze, Joe
Believing driving drunk will be easy because you've done it before
But it's different when family fastens the buckle
Realizing the gravity when loved ones are in the car with you
Their life is now in your hands, if you crash, imagine the trouble
Understanding the responsibility you have towards their safety
Bruh, you... better hope that that accident snubs you out first
Hoping that if an accident happens, you'll be the one who dies
Cause if it doesn't, your mother will cuss you out worse
Knowing your mother will be furious with you if the worst doesn't happen
But in an instant, you're sitting in your Maxima
Suddenly finding yourself back in your car
Scratching up your head, but been a while since you had eczema
Confused and scratching your head, realizing it's been a long time since eczema flared up
"Oh crap, which way did I take him home
Panicking about which route you took to get your passenger home
295 or the Douglass?" You struggle to make it known
Trying to remember the highway you took but struggling to recall
But tucked away in that zone, you see that paper and phone
Noticing a piece of paper and your phone in the car
Get your lights back, even if plans of payments are gone
Regaining your focus, even if you've forgotten about bill payments
You're praising God harder than Baptists and Resurrection
Thanking God fervently for protecting you from harm
Praying that He forgives you for all your dreaded rejections
Asking for forgiveness for all the situations you've ignored
Could've been dead, could've been messed up, bad batch of the sticky
Realizing you could've died or been severely harmed by drug use
Involuntarily laughing, you're scratching, but took a bath, dig me
Laughing uncontrollably, scratching, but managed to take a bath
Making all these installments via confession
Sincerely admitting to your mistakes and seeking forgiveness
Your blurred vision's restored, see your reflection
Your unclear perception becomes clear, allowing you to reflect on yourself
You come to... then you're still kinda perplexed
Regaining consciousness but still feeling confused
"Why's this operator so busy tryna to whine bout her ex
Wondering why the operator is discussing personal matters with you
This ain't the company you meant to dial, dumb-dumb
Realizing you called the wrong number and being self-deprecating
You pressed seven-o-three thinking it's nine-one-one
Accidentally dialing the wrong area code while trying to call emergency services
Son... I'm not playing when I tell you I totally blacked out
Seriously stating that you completely lost consciousness
Like... I drove all the way home that night
Recounting driving home while in a blackout state
And I couldn't remember a thing
Not being able to recall any of the events from that night
I just thank God that everything ain't go black for good
Expressing gratitude that the blackout wasn't permanent and led to harm
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Joseph Goings
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Orbit Snoog's LAG House
Great!!! I've got to see her before I kick the bucket
Marc Maraccini
Please come to Houston, TX. Love ya Josie!!
Willy Banta
That's how ya do it!
Andrew *
Would prefer to see those legs in some pumps but love you Josie!
jamie cooper
Awesomesauce 333k