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/
City To City
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Ridin' through the city, bands all on me
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Ridin' through the city, bands all on me
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Everyday, yeah, you know we stay lit
Lob up City, give that boy the assist
Yo girl chose up, I'm the number one pick
Like some dope, I stay up in the mix
Got that strategy, like I play Risk
Only 10 I see's the one in my fist
And a girl who is goin' to Fisk
10 toes down by myself to the end (10!)
Ri-ride through the city
I'm out here screwed up and playin' that Keke (Houston!)
I'm tryna see me with guap in my pocket and all my fam with me (Cash!)
She tryna be Whitley, but I ain't your Dwayne, girl, don't trap me for billies (Nah!)
I'm wavy, ya feel me? Like the ocean, that's cuz I don't play man, like really?
Ridin' through the city, bands all on me
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Ridin' through the city, bands all on me
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Ridin' through the city, bands all on me
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Ridin' through the city, bands all on me
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Ridin' through the city, niggas tryna end me, I ain't stuttin' no beef
Doors gone on the Rubicon, it remind me of my first Jeep, huh
Hardly home, nigga always gone, I ain't slept the past few weeks, huh
I can't let the fam down nigga, everything on me
I'm chasing checks, my nigga
I'm back on they necks, my nigga
We disrespectful, icy Pateks, it's simple as that, my nigga
Your life a wreck, my nigga
We comin' direct, my nigga
Still stunt on my ex, my nigga
I'm petty like that, my nigga
Yuh!
Ridin' through the city, bands all on me
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Ridin' through the city, bands all on me
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Ridin' through the city, bands all on me
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Ridin' through the city, bands all on me
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
The lyrics of J-Live's song "City To City" depict the artist riding through the city with confidence and success. He boasts about the money he has, represented by the "bands all on me," and the woman who desires him, symbolized by "she dancin' on me." The lyrics also highlight his loyalty to his squad, emphasizing their unity and strength as a team. He describes himself as always being in the mix, navigating life strategically like playing the game Risk. He references his determination to stay true to himself till the end, with the line "10 toes down by myself to the end." J-Live also mentions his affiliation with the city of Houston and his ambition to see his family and himself prosper financially.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of self-assuredness, ambition, and dedication in the face of distractions and potential obstacles. J-Live's confident and assertive tone reflects his belief in his abilities to succeed and make a mark.
Line by Line Meaning
Ridin' through the city, bands all on me
Cruising through the urban landscape, carrying a significant amount of money
Got your diamond and she dancin' on me
I have a woman wearing expensive jewelry and she is showing off for me
Ridin' slow, swang and bang through Southeast
Driving leisurely, swinging and making an impact in the southeastern part of the city
With my squad, yeah you know we the team
Accompanied by my group of close friends, known as a strong and united team
Everyday, yeah, you know we stay lit
On a daily basis, we remain lively and full of energy
Lob up City, give that boy the assist
I am elevating the city's status by delivering an assist to empower others
Yo girl chose up, I'm the number one pick
Your girlfriend selected me, considering me the top choice
Like some dope, I stay up in the mix
Similar to a valuable substance, I constantly involve myself in important matters
Got that strategy, like I play Risk
I possess a tactical plan, comparable to playing the board game Risk
Only 10 I see's the one in my fist
The only thing I focus on is the ten dollars in my hand
And a girl who is goin' to Fisk
Also, I have a girlfriend who is attending Fisk University
10 toes down by myself to the end (10!)
I am determined and committed, standing firm by myself until the very end
Ri-ride through the city
Cruising enthusiastically through the city
I'm out here screwed up and playin' that Keke (Houston!)
I am embracing the Houston-style screwed up music and playing it loud
I'm tryna see me with guap in my pocket and all my fam with me (Cash!)
I aspire to have a significant amount of money in my possession while having my family by my side
She tryna be Whitley, but I ain't your Dwayne, girl, don't trap me for billies (Nah!)
She aims to be like a character from A Different World, but I am not Dwayne and she shouldn't manipulate me for money
I'm wavy, ya feel me? Like the ocean, that's cuz I don't play man, like really?
I possess a laid-back and relaxed attitude because, like the ocean, I don't engage in games or foolishness
Ridin' through the city, niggas tryna end me, I ain't stuttin' no beef
While cruising through the city, some individuals are attempting to harm me, but I don't pay attention to their pointless conflicts
Doors gone on the Rubicon, it remind me of my first Jeep, huh
The doors are removed from the Rubicon, evoking memories of my first Jeep
Hardly home, nigga always gone, I ain't slept the past few weeks, huh
I am rarely at home, always on the move, and haven't had much sleep in recent weeks
I can't let the fam down nigga, everything on me
I cannot disappoint my family, as the responsibility rests on my shoulders
I'm chasing checks, my nigga
I am actively pursuing financial gains
I'm back on they necks, my nigga
I have returned to exert dominance and pressure on my competitors
We disrespectful, icy Pateks, it's simple as that, my nigga
We are showing disrespect and flaunting expensive Patek Philippe watches, it's just that straightforward
Your life a wreck, my nigga
Your life is in disarray and chaotic
We comin' direct, my nigga
We are approaching directly and assertively
Still stunt on my ex, my nigga
I am still flaunting and showing off in front of my previous romantic partner
I'm petty like that, my nigga
That's how I am, being intentionally petty
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Jaylen Carr, Laurence Mast
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind