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/
Lyricist
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But not journals and memoirs, lines and bars
I stretch my hands out to reach for the stars
I'm makin' plans now to live on Mars
Cause I got Earth on lock
See my mind is like a muse to a paper
Cause I'm used to a paper-drawn blank
Till it's got me to think
Fill it with anger and
Run straight through the lines cause I can't be stopped
And pose my will on words even if they won't
For example I make words rhyme even when they don't
With the ample vocabulary even with the quote
I make it mind on mind till I'm done with it
Cause I had fun with it
Pick it up and run with it
Score it and spike it and
Don't take a second to figure out you like it
And if you think you can find a match then strike it
It won't ignite, cause it can't fill my Nikes
With the man made lake and the dam and the dyke
And the canal it still can't float quite like
This natural feel brake your move make it night
Cause my mic sound right even when I write like this
[Verse 2]
I get up in the zone like a super saiyan
Sayin' sayin' sayin' sayin' super humans
Wan to say them over drunk n' sober
Mere mortals make a mission out of mixin' me
With masterpieces just so they can bring them home and play them over
I dip into theory till I catch their theory, it's scarier then waiting to exhale
In the first verse of "The Lyricist," J-Live and Tom Caruana begin by acknowledging their prowess as lyricists, utilizing wordplay and clever metaphors to express their skill. They compare their lyrical output to a diary, but instead of personal reflections, their words are filled with lines and bars that stretch out like their hands reaching for the stars. The metaphorical journey continues as they plan to live on Mars, emphasizing their ambitious nature and their desire to transcend earthly limitations.
They highlight the power of their minds, comparing it to a muse that inspires them to write on a blank paper. Their thoughts and emotions flow onto the paper as they dip it into their "think tank" filled with anger and passion. They declare their determination to continue writing and refuse to be stopped by anyone or anything. They impose their will on words, even making them rhyme when they don't naturally, showcasing their ample vocabulary and skill in manipulating language. The joy they experience from their craft is evident, having fun with it and urging others to pick up the baton and run with it.
In the second verse, the intensity of their lyricism reaches a new level. They compare themselves to super saiyan warriors from the anime Dragon Ball Z, emphasizing their heightened state of focus and creativity. They repeat the word "sayin'," emphasizing the power of their vocalization and expression. They dismiss those who try to mix their verses with other songs, asserting their uniqueness and refusing to be diluted. They delve into theoretical concepts, capturing the attention and fear of their audience by implying that their understanding and utilization of these concepts are scarier than waiting to exhale.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Lyricist" portray J-Live and Tom Caruana as highly skilled and confident artists. Through vivid metaphors and wordplay, they convey their passion for their craft and their ability to dominate the world of rap. They assert their unique style, refusing to conform to conventional norms and constantly pushing boundaries. The lyrics also contain a sense of empowerment, inspiring others to embrace their own creativity and find their own unique voices.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear diary, here I be droppin' some shit
I'm expressing myself through my music, sharing my thoughts and experiences
But not journals and memoirs, lines and bars
I'm not writing personal diaries or autobiographies, I'm crafting rhymes and verses
I stretch my hands out to reach for the stars
I aim high and set ambitious goals for myself
I'm makin' plans now to live on Mars
I'm envisioning a future where I achieve extraordinary things
Cause I got Earth on lock
I have full control and domination over the music scene
See my mind is like a muse to a paper
My thoughts and creativity flow effortlessly onto the page
Cause I'm used to a paper-drawn blank
I'm accustomed to starting with a blank slate and filling it with my ideas
Till it's got me to think
Until the process of writing stimulates my thinking
And I just dip it in my think tank
I immerse my thoughts into a deep reservoir of creativity
Fill it with anger and
Infuse it with intensity and passion
Run straight through the lines cause I can't be stopped
I effortlessly flow through the rhymes with unstoppable momentum
And pose my will on words even if they won't
I exert my control over the words, making them conform to my intentions
For example I make words rhyme even when they don't
I find ways to make words sound similar in spite of their differences
With the ample vocabulary even with the quote
I utilize my extensive vocabulary to create impactful and memorable lines
I make it mind on mind till I'm done with it
I engage in a battle of wits through my lyrics until I feel satisfied
Cause I had fun with it
I enjoy the process of writing and creating music
Pick it up and run with it
I take my ideas and inspiration and fully embrace them
Score it and spike it and
I celebrate my successes and achievements with enthusiasm
Don't take a second to figure out you like it
My music instantly resonates with listeners, without hesitation
And if you think you can find a match then strike it
If you believe you can find someone as talented or skilled as me, go ahead and try
It won't ignite, cause it can't fill my Nikes
You won't succeed because you can't match up to my level of talent
With the man-made lake and the dam and the dyke
Even with artificial attempts to replicate my style, they can't compare
And the canal it still can't float quite like
Even with efforts to mimic my artistry, they fall short
This natural feel brake your move make it night
My authentic style disrupts and overpowers any competition, making them insignificant
Cause my mic sound right even when I write like this
Even in my unconventional style of writing, my music still sounds great
I get up in the zone like a super saiyan
I enter a state of focused creativity and performance like a powerful anime character
Sayin' sayin' sayin' sayin' super humans
I'm emphasizing the extraordinary abilities and talents I possess
Wan to say them over drunk n' sober
I want to express my abilities and thoughts whether in a state of intoxication or sobriety
Mere mortals make a mission out of mixin' me
Ordinary people are eager to collaborate and combine their talents with mine
With masterpieces just so they can bring them home and play them over
They hope to create exceptional music together to proudly listen to and enjoy repeatedly
I dip into theory till I catch their theory, it's scarier than waiting to exhale
I delve into complex concepts and ideas until I grasp their understanding, which can be more nerve-wracking than holding one's breath
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind