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/
Do My Thing
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Imma do it right right
Imma get up inside side
No wasting time time
Took some time off and away
There's much to be said said
Imma beat the pussy up up
Imma show you hella love love
At times I feel like you're just not there
Mentally you have me lost like where where
Are we going, half the time I just don't be knowing
There's a lot of feelings you ain't showing
You got me lost like I'm lost in the ocean motion
You should know I care whoaaa
I know you're hurt, I care whoa girl
Imma dig in good good
Imma make you gush gush
Imma make you scream scream
And by all means, if you ever need to take a break
Have breakfast in bed bed
Imma beat that pussy up
Imma show you hella love
It's not right, sometimes I feel like you just don't get it
Sometimes I feel like you just ain't wit it
But you always telling me to come get it get it
It's okay, trust me I'm on my way
Ain't shit much else to say
You got me lost like I'm lost in the ocean motion
You should know I care whoaaa
I know you're hurt, I care whoa girl
You should know I care whoaaa
I know you're hurt, I care
The lyrics to J-Live's song "Do My Thing" convey themes of self-empowerment, emotional vulnerability, and the desire for reciprocated love and understanding within a relationship. The repeated refrain of "Imma do my thing thing, Imma do it right right" suggests a determination to stay true to oneself and live authentically. The singer acknowledges that they have taken some time off and away, possibly referring to a break or hiatus in the relationship, and now they are ready to fully engage and invest their time and energy.
The lyrics contain references to intimacy and sexual pleasure, using vivid language like "beat the pussy up" and "make you scream." However, these lines can also be interpreted metaphorically, representing a deep desire to emotionally connect and please their partner in every way possible. The singer reflects on the challenges they face in the relationship, feeling at times that their partner doesn't care or isn't mentally present. This lack of communication and understanding is compared to being lost in the vastness of the ocean, emphasizing the confusion and uncertainty in their emotions.
Despite the difficulties, the singer reassures their partner of their care and concern, expressing a willingness to work through the issues and be there for them. The repetition of "You should know I care" underscores the importance of emotional support and reassurance in the relationship. Overall, the lyrics of "Do My Thing" delve into the complexities of love, highlighting the need for open communication, emotional reciprocity, and a commitment to staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Imma do my thing thing
I am going to pursue my own path and do what makes me happy
Imma do it right right
I am going to do it in the correct and proper way
Imma get up inside side
I am going to deeply understand and engage with the situation
No wasting time time
I will not waste any time, I will be efficient and focused
Took some time off and away
I took some time for myself and stepped away from everything
There's much to be said said
There are many things that need to be expressed
Imma beat the pussy up up
I am going to pleasure you intensely
Imma show you hella love love
I am going to show you a lot of affection
It's not fair, at times I feel like you just don't care
Sometimes I feel like you are not considerate of my feelings
At times I feel like you're just not there
Sometimes I feel like you are emotionally unavailable
Mentally you have me lost like where where
You have confused me mentally and I don't know where we stand
Are we going, half the time I just don't be knowing
I am unsure about the direction of our relationship
There's a lot of feelings you ain't showing
You are not expressing your true emotions
You got me lost like I'm lost in the ocean motion
Your actions and behavior have left me feeling disoriented and confused
You should know I care whoaaa
I want you to understand that I genuinely care for you
I know you're hurt, I care whoa girl
I am aware that you are in pain and I truly care about you, girl
Imma dig in good good
I am going to explore and satisfy you in a satisfying way
Imma make you gush gush
I am going to stimulate you to the point of intense pleasure
Imma make you scream scream
I am going to make you experience pleasure so intense that you will scream
And by all means, if you ever need to take a break
And if you ever need a break or some time off
Have breakfast in bed bed
Let's have a relaxing and enjoyable morning together
Imma beat that pussy up
I am going to satisfy you sexually
Imma show you hella love
I am going to shower you with a lot of love and affection
It's not right, sometimes I feel like you just don't get it
It is not fair, sometimes I feel like you don't understand my perspective
Sometimes I feel like you just ain't wit it
Sometimes I feel like you are not fully engaged or interested
But you always telling me to come get it get it
But you always tell me to come and pursue you
It's okay, trust me I'm on my way
It's fine, trust me, I am making progress and taking action
Ain't shit much else to say
There is not much else to be said
You got me lost like I'm lost in the ocean motion
You have left me feeling confused and uncertain, like drifting in the unpredictable ocean
You should know I care whoaaa
You should know that I genuinely care about you
I know you're hurt, I care whoa girl
I am aware that you are hurting and I truly care about you, girl
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Justin Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind