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/
Here
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will you save me if I crash (crash)?
How about love? (how about love?)
Would you love me if I ran (ran)?
Because I hate that I fall
I hate that I crash
I hate when I run
I hate this victim mentality (victim mentality)
Somebody save me
Somebody save me from myself
I feel like I'm in a loop sometimes
Would somebody catch me if I, if I fell?
(Somebody catch me if I, if I fell)
If I fell, if I fell will you catch me?
If I fell, if I fell
Will somebody catch me?
Will you catch me?
Will you catch me?
Will you catch me if I
Will you?
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo oh oh
Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo oh oh Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, here we go, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Here goes nothing, Geronimo
The lyrics of the song "Here" by J-Live express a complex range of emotions that are centered around the theme of vulnerability. The singer is asking if someone would be there for them if they fell or crashed, and if someone would love them if they ran. The tone of the song is characterized by a sense of desperation, with the singer expressing their dislike for falling, crashing, and running, and a general feeling of being trapped in a cycle of victimization.
The singer also expresses a dissatisfaction with their own victim mentality and wishes to be saved from themselves. The use of the repeated phrase "somebody save me" seems to be indicative of a desire for external help, which could be interpreted as the singer feeling alone in their struggles.
The chorus of the song features the repeated phrase "Geronimo," which can be interpreted as a rally cry or a call for support. The song's lyrics and tone paint a picture of someone who feels helpless and trapped, but who also has a desire to be saved and helped.
Line by Line Meaning
So will you save me if I fell (fell)?
Do you care enough to help me if I stumble or make a mistake?
Will you save me if I crash (crash)?
Are you willing to support me if I fail or suffer a setback?
How about love? (how about love?)
Would you express your affection and care towards me if I choose a different path?
Would you love me if I ran (ran)?
Would you still show me love and support if I pursued a different life direction?
Because I hate that I fall
I hate that I crash
I hate when I run
I dislike how my mistakes, failures, and avoidance affects my life and those around me.
I hate this victim mentality (victim mentality)
I despise thinking and behaving like I am powerless and someone else is responsible for my life outcomes.
Somebody save me
Somebody save me from myself
I need someone to rescue me from my own self-destructive tendencies and habits.
I feel like I'm in a loop sometimes
Would somebody catch me if I, if I fell?
I experience a sense of repetition and stagnation, and I wonder if anyone would come to my aid if I faltered.
(Somebody catch me if I, if I fell)
If I fell, if I fell will you catch me?
If I make a misstep, are you going to be there for me to prevent further harm?
Will somebody catch me if I fell?
Will you catch me?
Will you catch me?
Will you catch me if I
Will you?
Will anyone give me a safety net if I take a risk and fail? Specifically, will you be that support?
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo oh oh
Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo oh oh Geronimo, Geronimo
A nonsensical chant that possibly signifies taking a leap of faith or starting a new adventure.
Geronimo, here we go, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo
Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
Here goes nothing, Geronimo
Reinforcing the idea of taking a risk, start something new, and facing uncertainty with courage.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Ba Rom Yu, Da Bin Hong, Gyeong Mo Kim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind