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/
First Things First
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Kid 1 (Kid 2):]
We...just gonna get our shit together...[?]
(Man, get yo stuff, man c'mon) Yo, don't RUSH me, man!
Man, it's startin man, yo...you heard me, right?
(Nigga, what?!) Don't rush me that's what!
(Yo hurry up, shit!) [smacks lips] What's the rush, man?
Naw, man I need to make sure my shit is dope
(Nigga, the album is startin! Man look, he's right there, look!) [applause]
Aight, aight..
[J-Live (Kid 1) {crowd}:]
PEACE! (Ha ha!)
Ladies and gentlemen {Shhhh!}
Gods and earths
Brothers and sisters
Kings and queens (Yeah, that's right) {SHH!}
(HA HA!)
Players and workers {Quiet, please!}
Pimps and hoes (Word, no doubt)
Reaper and sowers (Dey pimpin, what!)
Cutters and flow-ers
Friends...
New Yorkers and countrymen
True school alumni and children of alllll ages
(He's buggin)
"Bust the Crowd" (I never heard that one)
"Braggin' Writes" (Naw, I ain't like that song)
Hopefully this album reach it's destination on time (uh-huh)
Without any major drama... (Bootleggin' and what-not)
We've got a wonderful program for you this evening
Or this morning (mornin?), or whenever you happen to be listening
We've got a wonderful program for you this NOW (wha?)
Cause it's always now (I get it)
Whether it's live through your walkman, turntable
Car stereo , computer (Oh man, I'ma start stutterin)
Or straight through your own home system (aight)
So just sit back, relax; or stand up and get busy
DO what you feel, (aight) feel what you DO (true)
And enjoy... [applause]
[J-Live proceeds: to cut and scratch]
"Live on the fader" "J-Live on the fader"
"All of the above'll be, caused by me"
(..is what this album is all about...)
"Bust this..."
[J-Live rhymes: while cutting]
"Once upon a time there was a brother named" "J-Live"
"Had a little problem with his" "Record contracts"
"That which the world has never seen before"
"But I didn't care" "I'm never coming back" ("Worrrrrd up!")
"Lookin back on the moment, I'm surprised to find"
"I lay low" "yet still" "I'm gettin' mine"
"Rock shit like this" "just for fun!"
"Because" "two/too" "many" "wack-ass" "records" "get" "done"
[J-Live: x3]
PEACE, Y'ALL! (PEACE Y'ALL)
PEACE, Y'ALL! (PEACE Y'ALL)
PE-DA-DEE-DA-DEE-DA-DEE-DA-DEECE, Y'ALL! (PEACE Y'ALL)
PE, DA-DEE, PE-PE, DA-DEE
PE-DA-DEE-DA-DEE-DA-DEE-DA-DEECE, Y'ALL!
First things first, I just - got through, goin through
This ordeal, dealin with deals, you know the deal
I've dealt with, bein dealt dirty, downsized
And duped, done double-paid my dues, for real
I just - know today's degree, C lesson
Not nowadays, can a record label fool me
So the understanding'll be 'The Best Part'
No need to guess how this rocky road was meant to be
I just - got home from a long tour
Seashore to seashore, J-Live up the party
So, even if I'm unknown back home (say what)
Step out of the time zone, these folks came to see me!
I just - grab the mic, jump on the stage
Soak up the crowd, hittin 'em with page after page of
Blood, sweat, tears, saliva, sperm, snot
Shit, piss, throw-up, everything I GOT!
I just - let it all out, give it all back
Like I got it, why? Cause I got it like that
I've been spotted by those that recognize the fact that
God is still black and bullshit is still wack! (wack!)
[J-Live: x3]
PEACE, Y'ALL! (PEACE Y'ALL)
PEACE, Y'ALL! (PEACE Y'ALL)
PE-DA-DEE-DA-DEE-DA-DEE-DA-DEECE, Y'ALL! (PEACE Y'ALL)
PE, DA-DEE, PE-PE, DA-DEE
PE-DA-DEE-DA-DEE-DA-DEE-DA-DEECE, Y'ALL!
The song "First Things First" by J-Live begins with a snippet of two kids nervously getting ready for something, which sets the stage for J-Live to embark on a journey to deliver a performance that stands out from the rest. J-Live addresses the audience, anyone who might be listening in, and declares that the program/narrative is going to be special. He emphasizes that this program is happening now, regardless of whether you're listening to it in real time or not, and instructs the audience to make the most of their present moment. He then proceeds to cut and scratch, building anticipation for his rhymes.
J-Live's verses set the tone for his no-nonsense approach to his career and his commitment to delivering a performance characterized by hard work and authenticity - two themes present throughout the entire song. His rhymes are introspective, and he reflects on his experiences dealing with record labels and navigating the industry. He alludes to the struggles he has had in the past, such as being duped and downsized, and states that he is past that stage now. He asserts his confidence as an artist, and it's evident that he isn't bothered by the fact that he is not known back home, as long as he can perform for a receptive audience. J-Live's verses are a reminder that the journey to success can be full of obstacles and hardships, but they're the driving force behind building authenticity and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
First things first, I just - got through, goin through
Before anything else, I have just finished dealing with and experiencing
This ordeal, dealin with deals, you know the deal
A difficult and complicated situation, dealing with contracts and negotiations, as you already know
I've dealt with, bein dealt dirty, downsized
I have experienced being treated unfairly and being reduced in size or importance
And duped, done double-paid my dues, for real
And being tricked, having to pay my dues twice, for real
I just - know today's degree, C lesson
I just understand the lesson of today, a lesson that deserves a C grade
Not nowadays, can a record label fool me
These days, a record label cannot deceive or trick me
So the understanding'll be 'The Best Part'
So the understanding will be that the best part of my journey is yet to come
No need to guess how this rocky road was meant to be
There is no need to speculate on the purpose or direction of this difficult and challenging journey
I just - got home from a long tour
I have just returned home after a lengthy tour
Seashore to seashore, J-Live up the party
From one coast to another, J-Live is energizing and entertaining the crowd
So, even if I'm unknown back home (say what)
Therefore, even if I am not widely recognized or famous in my hometown (you know)
Step out of the time zone, these folks came to see me!
I step out of my comfort zone, and these people have come specifically to see me!
I just - grab the mic, jump on the stage
I simply take hold of the microphone and enthusiastically perform on the stage
Soak up the crowd, hittin 'em with page after page of
I absorb the energy from the audience, delivering numerous verses
Blood, sweat, tears, saliva, sperm, snot
Putting my all into the performance, expressing myself physically and emotionally
Shit, piss, throw-up, everything I GOT!
Holding nothing back, giving it my all, including any unpleasant aspects or challenges
I just - let it all out, give it all back
I simply release and express everything within me, giving it all back to the audience
Like I got it, why? Cause I got it like that
Because I possess the talent and ability to do so, just like that
I've been spotted by those that recognize the fact that
I have been noticed and acknowledged by those who understand and acknowledge the fact that
God is still black and bullshit is still wack! (wack!)
The divine power is still represented by blackness and anything of low quality or nonsense is still unappealing!
Contributed by Bella W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
juckinfunkie
j live makes me love hip hop even more,,every track sounds like a classic :)
Blingy98
"... this ordeal, dealing with deals. You know the deal. I've dealt with being dealt dirty, downsized and duped. Done double payed my dues, for real..." Who else uses alliteration like J-Live?? He is the man.
mojoxide
Effing timeless. I love J-live.
nedryarson
Nice, it's a classic!
SKTheKid
"You might recognize me from such songs as..." "Who he think he is, Troy McClure?" LMAO.
twg1212
I remember just hearing that line (slightly altered) on the SPTA album but I forget which song. Except instead of saying a specific name, he says he won't mention them by name.
freedomland11
J-Live is mos def "LIVE"
Ryder Chwartacki
Turn your your bass up it sound's sick as fuck!!!!!!
EK11221122
@DJScallywag Yeah it's worth $18 atm, but I guess in 200 years it might fetch a few bucks :P Excellent record though!
Jcrack514
this is sick as fuck