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/
Interlude 2
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You said you packed a bag you coming to stay
Baby I think you know that’s okay with me
Tell me what’s on your mind
Wine or Hennessy
Tell me Do you wanna get high
Or do you wanna take it slow give you a chilled night
Baby just let me know
I’d love show you what I can do baby close the door
Before this I should let you know
Oh girl I love your mind it’s beautiful
You connect with me on levels that could turn me on
You know I love you so much I made this 2nd song
And we gone do this interruption we go all day long
She pull my shirt
I pull her skit
We throw em on the floor
We feel the tension
Got in position
We bout to go to war
Then ima eat it baby when I beat it tear my dior
The lyrics to J-Live's song "Interlude 2" depict a conversation between two individuals who have a romantic interest in each other. The singer receives a call from their love interest, who informs them that they are on their way to spend time together. The singer expresses their excitement and willingness to accommodate their love interest's desires, whether it be sharing a drink like wine or Hennessy, getting high, or simply having a relaxed and intimate evening.
The singer appreciates their love interest's beautiful mind and the deep connection they share. This connection is so strong that it inspired the singer to create a second song dedicated to their love interest. The lyrics suggest that their intimate encounters are passionate and intense, with lines like "We feel the tension / Got in position / We bout to go to war." The mention of tearing the singer's designer clothing (dior) during their sexual encounter adds a wild and passionate element to the song.
Overall, the lyrics highlight the singer's adoration for their love interest, their eagerness to please them, and the intense physical and emotional connection they share.
Line by Line Meaning
You called and said you on the way
You phoned me and informed me that you are on your way
You said you packed a bag you coming to stay
You mentioned that you packed a bag and are planning to stay for a while
Baby I think you know that’s okay with me
Darling, I believe you are aware that I have no problem with that
Tell me what’s on your mind
Please share your thoughts and feelings with me
Wine or Hennessy
Do you prefer wine or Hennessy as your drink of choice?
Tell me Do you wanna get high
Inform me if you desire to get intoxicated
Or do you wanna take it slow give you a chilled night
Alternatively, would you prefer a relaxed evening without rushing?
Baby just let me know
Sweetheart, simply notify me of your preference
I’d love to take it slow
I would enjoy a leisurely pace in our activities
I’d love show you what I can do baby close the door
I would love to impress you, my dear, please shut the door
Before this I should let you know
Prior to proceeding further, I feel obligated to inform you
Oh girl I love your mind it’s beautiful
Oh, my dear, I adore your intellect, it is truly captivating
You connect with me on levels that could turn me on
Our connection reaches depths that can arouse me
You know I love you so much I made this 2nd song
You are aware of my profound love for you, which inspired this second song
And we gone do this interruption we go all day long
We are going to engage in this enjoyable interruption for an extended period of time
She pull my shirt
She tugs at my shirt
I pull her skirt
I pull up her skirt
We throw em on the floor
We discard our garments onto the floor
We feel the tension
We sense the excitement and anticipation
Got in position
Assuming the desired stance
We bout to go to war
We are about to engage in intense and passionate lovemaking
Then ima eat it baby when I beat it tear my dior
Subsequently, I will pleasure you orally after I passionately satisfy you, causing my expensive Dior clothing to become disheveled
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Tyler Jeffries
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind