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/
Don't Get It Backwords
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where’s the world at today
It’s your will and your way
(I don’t get, don’t you get it)
Is it worth asking why (I don’t get it)
Its our earth and our sky (I don’t get it)
From our birth ‘til we die (I don’t get, don’t you get it)
Like the sound of a bell
Cause it shines when it rings
And its mine when it sings
(I don’t get, don’t you get it)
Why don’t you get it now
Why don’t you get it now
The lyrics to J-Live's song "Don't Get It Backwords" address the frustration and confusion that arises from the lack of control and understanding individuals have in the world. The opening lines reflect this sentiment, questioning why people don't have a say and expressing concern about the current state of the world. It highlights the idea that decisions are often made without considering the will and desires of the people.
The repetition of "I don't get it" throughout the lyrics emphasizes the singer's bewilderment and longing for answers. They question whether it is worth asking why things are the way they are, asserting that it is our earth and our sky, from birth until death.
In the second part of the lyrics, the mention of a light that shines and rings like a bell suggests the presence of hope and a glimmer of understanding. The lyrics imply that this light is personal and unique, as it becomes "mine" when it sings. There is a plea for others to grasp this understanding, asking why they don't get it now.
Line by Line Meaning
Why don’t we have a say
Why don't we have the ability to express our opinions and make decisions?
Where’s the world at today
What is the current state and condition of the world?
It’s your will and your way
Everything is being controlled and dictated by your desires and preferences.
(I don’t get, don’t you get it)
(I don't understand, don't you understand it)
Is it worth asking why (I don’t get it)
Is it valuable to question and seek the reason behind things that are incomprehensible?
Its our earth and our sky (I don’t get it)
We all share ownership of the Earth and the sky, yet I still don't understand.
From our birth 'til we die (I don’t get, don’t you get it)
From the moment we are born to the moment we die, I still can't comprehend it, can't you?
There’s a light I can tell
There is a shining and illuminating presence that I can perceive.
Like the sound of a bell
Similar to the resonating sound produced by a bell.
Cause it shines when it rings
Because it radiates light at the moment it creates a ringing sound.
And its mine when it sings
And it becomes personal and exclusive to me when it emits its melodic tune.
Why don’t you get it now
Why don't you understand and comprehend it at this very moment?
Why don’t you get it now
Why don't you understand and comprehend it at this very moment?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind