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/
Kick it to the Beat
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh snap! Yo who that? yeah
That’ll work right there
She got a raspy voice too, word?
I bet everybody try to push up on that one
It’s alright though
It goes one for the treble
It was love at first sound when
I walked in the place
I’m saying one for the trouble
And two for the time
I’m a kick it to the beat
’cause she sure is fine
I kick it to your snare, whisper in her ear
Make it sound crisper wit a twist of air
Smack her on the rear then make her
Disappear off the track
And have a love affair with the
Hi hat then bring them right back so yo
If you pound my heart with a hammer
It would probably sound like
And leave a mad smoky cloud of boom see
I’m not the type of emcee to play a beat out
Take a drum loop or shake it
And break the hell out
Well that’s not the way I get
Down i’m loving your sound
You’re running through my mind like
The board playing them chords
On the Rhodes i met you in
Rouge i had you on hold
And now I can’t afford to play
So you ready to J?
I know our love will pass the threshold
And never decay don’t ever give a dub away
On any formats of data
Microcassettes, 8 tracks, DATs, or BETA
You’re too fresh god bless the
Creator that made ya one
It goes one for the treble
And two for the bass
It was love at first sound when
I walked in the place
I’m saying one for the trouble
And two for the time
I’m a kick it to the beat
’cause she sure is fine
Hey boo, how you? My name is Asheru
I’m glad that we can finally link
Up and do the One Two
I know, brothers be hawking
Running game and double talking
You to death, until there’s very little left
So let me not half-step and
Tell you off the top
Why you can uhh uhh get it get it
And don’t stop
I love your voice it’s like music to my ears
Love the way that you feel
Enough to bring a man to tears
I love your body
Your booty banging like BOOM
Love to see you at parties the
Way you captivate the room
When we first met, I had to do a double take
Got caught up in the moment
With no plan to escape
Now I’m getting it together so
What do you say to me and you parlaying
That old-fashioned way
So when we step out of the party
I’ll take your hand and me and you can go
Travelling across the land
It’s like you floating on air
Above beyond and abroad
Love the way you hold me when you
I throw you up on the board
So when we step out of the
Lab girl I take your hand
And me and you can go
Travelling across the land
It goes one for the treble
And two for the bass
It was love at first sound when
I walked in the place
I’m saying one for the trouble
And two for the time
I’m a kick it to the beat
’cause she sure is fine
Peace queen, don’t stop for me
Let me walk with you
Just to talk with you, open up your mind
Let me paint a picture
You and me sipping on a
Freshly squeezed flow in a
Soundproof chateau, letting royalties grow
No disrespect
But you got a whole lot of bottom
And I’m curious as to how we sound in the mix
(No tricks)
See I ain't looking for no one-hit-wonder
But I think you ought to know
What I do for kicks
If we could get the first third
To work then we could flirt
’Til you’re slipping out your tight
Fit Pro Tools skirt
I want to lay you down with nothing
But your two inch reels on
To make a strong song that’ll last REAL long
We could pan from side to side, no automation
Let my fingers do the walking
Through your knobs and faders
So what’s up? We could meet
For drinks at Bar 16
I could drop you off now
And pick you up later
If you don’t know who I am
I’m a friend of your fam
I know your mom a SP
Your pop’s a soul brother
So chill with the echo ’cause
There won’t be no delaying
If you still don’t believe me you
Can ask your uncle lover
So can I get a hug goodbye?
You smell fly like a
Rose that must be Electric P by Rhodes
Better yet don’t say goodbye
Say until tonight
I can’t wait to give you play
In my humble abode it goes
It goes one for the treble
And two for the bass
It was love at first sound when
I walked in the place
I’m saying one for the trouble
And two for the time
I’m a kick it to the beat
’cause she sure is fine
The song "Kick it to the Beat" by J-Live starts with a remix of his original song. J-Live reflects on knowing his worth and not letting his past haunt him. He has impeccable words of affirmation and speaks a language that everyone needs. He talks about living like they are the last breed and fighting against the strife by throwing it overseas. J-Live highlights that they see everything and that they know better, so they won't sleep. He believes that they are true redemption and urges everyone to focus on their mental health first. He's trying to show his worth and rise up in life.
In the second verse, J-Live compares himself to Noah and explains that they are building their ark for the great flood that is coming. It's like a panic at the disco and they are planning on a fast forward. He talks about how it rains and pours and shakes the floors, but he's using the force and praying to the source. J-Live doesn't want it to break him or shake his core, but he believes the earth will prevail like a plot twist at the end of a film. He concludes by saying that they are repping the brain earth and are the minds of one collective genius.
The final verse talks about leaving the past behind and moving forward, accompanied by every struggle that got them to where they are now. They didn't go to war a lot, but they struggled and tried to make something of themselves. J-Live reflects on the importance of facts over opinions and living hotter than the sun. He's like a politician with his wordplay and highlights the importance of livelihood, family, and change. J-Live concludes the song by promoting MOCG (Minds of One Collective Genius) and urging people to check them out.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea
Starting the song with affirmation and energy
This is the
Introducing the song and bringing attention to it
How do they
Questioning how others perceive things
How do they say that
Continuing the inquiry on the perception of things
This is the remix
Announcing that this is a different version of a previously released song
Check it out
Encouraging the audience to pay attention to the song
Check it out
Repeating the encouragement to pay attention
These days
Being aware of current time and situation
I know what my worth is
Being confident in one's value and worth
Telling my story
Sharing personal experience and history
I wrote these writtens in cursive
Writing the lyrics with elaboration and style
Emerged with guts and the glory that's kinda godly
Coming out bravely and proudly with divine-like talent
Murder my enemies
Overcoming the competition or people who doubt and hate
Wish 'em well
Wishing the best for the enemies despite the challenges
Wish 'em godspeed
Wishing the enemies a safe journey in life
I feel incredible
Experiencing great emotion and feeling good
Won't let the past haunt me
Not letting previous mistakes or negative experiences affect current life
Impeccable words of affirmation are on me
Receiving positive words and reinforcement
That is priceless
Highlighting the value of the support received
Speak the language we all need
Communicating in a way that is clear and understandable to everyone
We gotta live like we are only the last breed
Living fully and without reservation because life is finite
Everything in life is the air we breathe
Acknowledging the importance of what surrounds and sustains us
Bottle all the strife
Holding on to and containing the struggles and difficulties of life
Throw it overseas
Letting go and getting rid of the struggles and difficulties
There is nothing that you can oversee
Seeing everything clearly and not missing anything
We see it all
Being aware of everything happening around us
We know better
Having a better understanding of things because of experience or knowledge
We won't sleep
Refusing to be unaware or uninformed
This is true redemption
Finding and achieving redemption genuinely
Working smart to become an honorable mention
Working hard to get recognition and be respected
Gotta do what's necessary
Doing what needs to be done to reach goals
Mental health first
Prioritizing mental well-being before anything else
L.Y.F.E. On The Rise
Living Your Fullest Everyday and improving one's life every day
I'mma show my worth
Demonstrating one's value and worth
Whoo
Expressing excitement or energy
Come on and check it out now
Impelling the listener to investigate and hear the song
We from the north east traveling southbound
Coming from a particular place and moving toward another
To spread the word
Sharing the music and the message
That we done wrote first
Indicating that the music and lyrics come from originality
The word the beats birthed
The music is the result of the lyrics or message
We repping that brain earth
Representing the collective intelligence and creativity of the group
We the minds of one collective genius
Being part of a group of intelligent or creative people
Even if you haven’t heard us yet
Even if people are not yet familiar with the group's music or talent
You probly seen us
The group has been seen or heard in other contexts
We in your favorite rappers videos
Appearing in music videos of popular artists
Stickers all over the city yo
Advertising and promoting the music and message through stickers all around the city
Peep the logo on our nifty clothes
Noticing the logo on the fashionable clothes the group members are wearing
Think I’ve worn this to like 50 shows
Wearing the same cool clothes to different shows
Know my team got my back
Having trust and support from the group members
Yeah and they my bros
Indicating a close relationship and bond with the group members
Everybody raise a glass
Celebrating with a toast
They deserve a toast
Recognizing the group members' effort, hard work, and success
I wouldn't be here if it wasn’t for them
Acknowledging the contribution and importance of the group
Thats fa’sho
Confirming or affirming the previous statement
Swear to god man without a doubt
Saying that this is an absolute truth and promising as if under oath
We only building
Continuing to progress and improve the work or music output
From the ever growing word of mouth
Getting more attention, respect, and recognition from the people talking about the group
So I recommend you check it out
Encouraging the listener to look up and follow the group
It’s the eye of the storm
Being in the most exciting or dangerous part of a situation
It’s a feast for the crows
Being in something or somewhere that is appealing to certain groups, but unappealing or dangerous to someone else
Why did God make thorns as a part of the rose?
Wondering why even the beautiful things in life have some negative aspects
A great flood coming like 2.0
Anticipating or experiencing a powerful or massive event that happened before and is now recurring
I been feeling like Noah
Identifying with the biblical figure who built an ark before a flood
The path I chose
The direction or decision made that led to current situations
Panic at the disco
Feeling anxious or overwhelmed
Panic at the park
Feeling nervous or uneasy even in a calm setting
Planet in fiasco
A chaotic or disastrous event happening globally
I’ma build a ark
Coming up with a solution or plan to handle or survive the coming event
We been on crash course
Heading intentionally or unintentionally towards a direct collision or conflict
Get me out the car
Wanting to exit or get away from a situation
Planning on a fast forward
Seeking to skip through or speed up a period of time
When it gonna start
Asking when something will begin or take place
It rains it pours
Meaning that when bad things happen, they seem to happen all at once
It shakes the floors, and I been using the force
Being brave and strong during difficult times, taking control, and overcoming obstacles
And praying to the source, and they won’t
Asking or hoping for guidance or help from a higher power, and not being let down
Block my doors I’m staying the course
Resisting the obstacles and staying on track no matter what
I won’t let it break me and shake my core
Not allowing the difficulties or negative experiences to affect one's core values or beliefs
It’s time bomb but the earth will prevail
The situation may be difficult or dangerous, but things will eventually work out
Like a plot twist at the end of a film
Like a sudden unexpected event, even though things seemed predictable
I don’t know much but I do know the deal
Not having much knowledge or information, but understanding the situation
Stay on the path, be yourself
Staying true to oneself and following the right direction and actions
Keep it real
Being genuine and honest in one's actions and attitudes
Livelihood family and of course the change
The most important things in life that need to be taken care of and the progress and growth that is needed
If you hit the trifecta
If one is successful in three different areas or aspects of life
Then there’s something to change
There is still room or opportunity for more improvement, progress, or experiences
MOCG
Acronym for the group's name
Pump it intravenous
Emphasizing the energy and intensity of the music
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind