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/
The Zone
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Let me know, if you know)
(Where's my safe zone? Yeah)
내 20대를 바치며 무궁무진한 삶을 살고 있어
다 보란 듯 응답하지만, 날 돌아보란 듯 커지는 이명
세상은 빠르게 변하고 그 순간 다르게 외로워
괴로워, 아군은 없듯 내 삶이 적, 적 해져가
Oh, my gosh
발맞춰 살아가지만 삐걱대 (oh)
애써 나를 위해 외치는 듯해 'Break a leg'
In my zone 도심 속 잘 맞춰 사람도 만나지만
교통정리가 안 된 차들처럼 이리 치이고 저리 치이곤 해 (ah-oh)
난 왜 없는데? 어디 가면 있는데?
게임마저 잘 보면 안전지대가 있던데
그래, 의미 없이 발만 구르지
이건 마치 깡통 Porsche
나도 가고 싶은데 where is that mindset?
내 심리 속에서도 있기는 한 걸까?
그 누군가는 나에게 아낌없이 줬을 터인데
잠시 돌이켜보기 위한 내 그루터기는 어딨나?
어둠 속 안도의 한줄기 빛은 어디일까?
고즈넉한 home? 아니면 저 먼 blue일까?
Where's my safe zone?
왼쪽, 오른쪽, go straight?
What's my safe zone?
이곳? 저곳? Or x?
어둠 속 안도의 한줄기 빛은 어디일까?
고즈넉한 home? 아니면 저 먼 blue일까?
Where's my safe zone?
왼쪽, 오른쪽, go straight?
What's my safe zone?
이곳? 저곳? Or x?
믿어주는 사람들의 응원?
(그들도 등을 돌리면 차갑고)
날 이끈 people?
(잘 생각해 보면 두려워)
피를 나눈 사람도 털어놓을 순 없는 사명감
요즘은 사람보다 동물이 좋더라 but 느껴 자멸감
임종을 앞둔 노을 같아
(Shine, goes dark)
밤과 새벽을 달래줄 light
(Right, for mine)
Where's that zone?
큰 재해도 피해 가는 나의 green zone
But 이 길을 선택하는 순간
있기는 할까? 나의 safe zone
어둠 속 안도의 한줄기 빛은 어디일까?
고즈넉한 home? 아니면 저 먼 blue일까?
Where's my safe zone?
왼쪽, 오른쪽, go straight?
What's my safe zone?
이곳? 저곳? Or x?
어둠 속 안도의 한줄기 빛은 어디일까? (Ooh-yeah)
고즈넉한 home? 아니면 저 먼 blue일까?
Where's my safe zone?
왼쪽, 오른쪽, go straight?
What's my safe zone?
이곳? 저곳? Or x?
Where's my safe zone?
Where's my safe zone?
Where's my safe zone?
Tell me if you know
Where's my safe zone?
Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo (hah-hah-hah)
Where's my safe zone?
What's my safe zone? (Where's my, what's my safe zone)
"The Zone" by J-Live explores the internal struggle of searching for a safe and secure space amidst the complexities and uncertainties of life. The lyrics reflect a sense of confusion and longing for a place of comfort and peace. The singer contemplates the changing nature of the world, feeling increasingly alone and vulnerable. Despite trying to conform and adapt, there is a constant battle within, represented by the line "In my zone 도심 속 잘 맞춰 사람도 만나지만 교통정리가 안 된 차들처럼 이리 치이고 저리 치이곤 해" which translates to "In my zone, even though I navigate the city well and meet people, it's like cars crashing into each other without proper traffic control."
The song also delves into the concept of finding one's true mindset and inner sanctuary. The search for a safe zone becomes metaphorical as the singer questions the existence and location of this mental refuge. They wonder if someone else possesses the key to this safe zone, having generously shared it with them. This introspective journey is intensified by the haunting question of where that temporary solace lies in their own consciousness.
Through introspective reflections and questioning, the song addresses the human desire for a safe haven, both physically and mentally. It highlights the challenges of navigating a rapidly changing world and the complexities of finding inner peace and contentment.
Line by Line Meaning
(Where's my safe zone?)
I'm searching for a place where I feel secure and at peace.
(Let me know, if you know)
If you have any information about my safe zone, please share it with me.
(Where's my safe zone? Yeah)
I'm still questioning and seeking my safe zone.
As I dedicate my 20s to living an infinite life
I live my life as if it's all figured out, but there's a growing confusion as I look back at myself
The world changes rapidly, and in those moments, I feel different and lonely
I feel restless and alone, as if there are no allies in my life, and it keeps decreasing
Oh, my gosh
I am astonished and overwhelmed by the challenges I face
I try to keep up, but I hesitate
I try to adapt to the urban setting but find myself hesitant and unsure
It seems like I'm shouting for myself, 'Break a leg'
I forcefully encourage myself, even if it's for my own benefit
In my zone, I skillfully navigate through the city, meeting people
While in my own world, I encounter various individuals, but it's chaotic like unruly traffic
I wonder why it's not there when I'm somewhere else
I wonder why my safe zone is absent when I go to different places
If I observe the game carefully, there used to be a safe zone
Yes, there used to be a secure and meaningful place, but now, I keep rolling forward without purpose
It's like an empty Porsche
My life feels like an empty shell of a luxurious car
I also want to go there, where is that mindset?
I desire to have that mindset, but I'm unsure of where it exists
Is it even present within my own psyche?
Could it be that I possess it within my own thoughts and emotions?
Someone must have generously given it to me
Someone must have selflessly provided it to me
Where are my roots for momentarily looking back?
Where can I find the remnants of my past for a brief introspection?
Where is that glimmer of light, a sense of relief in the darkness?
Where can I find that flicker of hope and comfort in the midst of darkness?
A tranquil home or in the distant blue?
Is it in a calm and peaceful home or in the far-reaching unknown?
Where's my safe zone?
Where can I find my place of security?
Left, right, go straight?
Should I turn left, right, or continue in a straight line?
What's my safe zone?
What is the specific location that provides safety for me?
Here? There? Or none?
Is it here, there, or perhaps it doesn't exist?
Trust from the people who support me
Do they also become cold when they turn away?
The people who led me
Upon reflection, I realize I feel fearful of them
The sense of duty that I can't reveal even to those who shed blood with me
I am burdened with a responsibility that I cannot confess, even to those closest to me
These days, animals seem to be better than humans, but I feel a sense of self-destruction
Lately, I find solace in animals more than in people, but it leaves me feeling a sense of decay and self-destruction
It's like the sunset approaching its end
Everything is becoming dark, just like the sunset reaching its conclusion
Shine, goes dark
The light that soothes the night and dawn disappears
A light that will calm the night and dawn
I search for a light that will bring peace during the darkest hours and the beginning of a new day
Right, for mine
It is the light that is meant for me and my journey
Where's that zone?
Where can I find that specific place?
A green zone where I can escape even major disasters
A place where I can be safe and avoid significant calamities
But at the moment of choosing this path
However, at the moment of making this decision
Does it even exist? My safe zone
I question if my safe zone truly exists
Where is that glimmer of light, a sense of relief in the darkness?
Where can I find that flicker of hope and comfort in the midst of darkness?
A tranquil home or in the distant blue?
Is it in a calm and peaceful home or in the far-reaching unknown?
Where's my safe zone?
Where can I find my place of security?
Left, right, go straight?
Should I turn left, right, or continue in a straight line?
What's my safe zone?
What is the specific location that provides safety for me?
Here? There? Or none?
Is it here, there, or perhaps it doesn't exist?
Where's my safe zone?
Where can I find my place of security?
Where's my safe zone?
Where can I find my place of security?
Where's my safe zone?
Where can I find my place of security?
Tell me if you know
Please inform me if you have the answer
Where's my safe zone?
Where can I find my place of security?
Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo (hah-hah-hah)
Vocalizations expressing frustration and longing for the safe zone
Where's my safe zone?
Where can I find my place of security?
What's my safe zone? (Where's my, what's my safe zone)
What is the specific location that provides safety for me? I want to know.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ho Seok Jung, Hyo Won Kang
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@th3rd3arplan3tradio
J live & chali 2na slept on
@caczone
liebe diemusik einfach zum relaxe,zuhören,abschalten
@rhymesgalore81
is that Sly and the family??