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/
Timeless
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My style has no birth record
You might know when my record was born
And how I played my favorite classics till the needles was gone
And truth say, you might know how my moms pushed in '76
Turned my world view inside out and one day
But this goes back further than that, further than rap
Before that first hospital slap
Further than pride and shame
Older than the foundation of the food chain
To bore the understanding of an equal cypher
With the consistency of daylight, I shine so bright
I check 1,2 but I ain't talking about no mic
I check 1,2 and calculate the science of life
To add things right and take care of my business
Allowing me to handle my pleasure like a pirate does treasure
My rhymes are burried too deep to measure by the sands of the hourglass
In otherwords built to last
(Hook)
I keep it timeless because I take my time with it
Respect goes out to civilized and committed
Cuz once you hear the capital J, rap it'll stay
With you for awhile and it won't go away
I keep it timeless because I do my thing
Regardless of the stress that your life might bring
Cuz once you hear the capital J, rap it'll stay
With you for awhile and it won't go away
(Verse 2)
What do you do when you got 22 things to task
And 10 minutes to deal with it
And for the first 5 you bullshitted
The scenario really best describes our folks
Its like devils got plans and niggaz got jokes
Like an underdog team got hopes, but
Hoop dream buzzer-beaters choke when y'all triple team pointguards go nuts
Power corrupts
And its a shame cuz the hardest working squad gets left with the donut
The front runners say "so what?"
They can't back their home team cuz they got no guts
And high scorers check stats but they still have yet to win
Plus tomorrow they'll be riding the bench once again, you see
In this game I'm not trying to be the M.V.P
Cuz the enemy's the clock and the referee
Because its obvious the world is out of order
I hope you wake up cuz we in the forth quarter y'all..Timeless
(Hook)
(Verse 3)
Who pays dues plus sales tax
Just to paint a picture with a thousand words
Only to find out your visions is blurred
Its absurd but still I observe
How the brilliance of Blackness is missed when a sights unheard
As old rhyme styles fester like dreams deferred
New styles just might shine at God's speed indeed
But some still wear the mask that grins and lies
Hides cheeks and shades eyes but I'm not suprised
It's no disguise cuz my five eyes remain all wise
No excuse cuz the innocent is still down south, no escape
We remain robbed, killed and raped
Till you take back your mind and extract the lies
But until then, I still utilize my pen
To lead the land from the slaughter and a horse to the water
Continuing the face the stress of lifes test
With rhymes that impress the best cuz my mind is timeless
(Hook)
The J-Live song Timeless explores the concept of time and how it relates to the rapper's lyrical style and his approach to life. In the first verse, J-Live reflects on his origins, explaining that his style has no birth record, and you might know when his record was born, and how he played his favorite classics until the needles were gone. He goes on to say that his worldview was turned inside out by his mother, further back than his birth, beyond joy and pain, beyond the foundation of the food chain. J-Live portrays himself as a timeless entity, having existed before his birth and transcending the human experience.
In the second verse, J-Live uses the metaphor of a basketball game to describe the struggles of everyday life. He describes how we are given a limited amount of time to accomplish all the tasks on our to-do list and how easy it is to get sidetracked. He goes on to criticize the powers that be for corrupting the system and leaving hard-working people behind. He contrasts the underdogs with the front runners and illustrates how the world is out of order, getting worse as time goes on.
In the third verse, J-live addresses the lack of representation and recognition of black brilliance in the world. He discusses the way old rhyme styles fester like dreams deferred and explains that new styles might shine at God's speed, but some still wear a mask that grins and lies. J-Live reminds the listener that the innocent are still suffering in the south, leaving no excuse for anyone to turn a blind eye. He pledges to continue using his platform to lead the land from the slaughter and face life's stress with rhymes that impress the best, utilizing his timeless mind.
Overall, the song presents a timeless message about the importance of taking one's time and persevering despite the difficulties of life. J-Live uses his lyrical skill to convey a sense of timelessness, reminding the listener that our experiences are all interconnected and that we must remain vigilant in the face of injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
My style has no birth record
The origin of my style cannot be traced back to a specific moment in time.
You might know when my record was born
Although the birth of my style is not known, the release date of my record is documented.
And how I played my favorite classics till the needles was gone
I have a great appreciation for classic music and often play it until the needles on the record player wear out.
And truth say, you might know how my moms pushed in '76
If you know me well, you might know that my mother gave birth to me in 1976.
Turned my world view inside out and one day
My mother had a profound impact on me and changed the way I viewed the world.
But this goes back further than that, further than rap
The influence on my life goes back much further than just my mother and even the genre of rap music.
Before that first hospital slap
Before my birth, my life had already begun to take shape.
Way beyond the confines of joy and pain
My existence extends beyond just feeling pleasure or suffering.
Further than pride and shame
My life is not defined by feelings of pride or shame.
Older than the foundation of the food chain
My existence predates even the basic concept of the food chain.
To bore the understanding of an equal cypher
My life is about promoting an understanding of equality and unity.
With the consistency of daylight, I shine so bright
I consistently promote positivity and optimism.
I check 1,2 but I ain't talking about no mic
I am assessing my life and surroundings, not just what I present on a musical stage.
I check 1,2 and calculate the science of life
I am constantly analyzing and reflecting on the world around me.
To add things right and take care of my business
I am diligent in my endeavors and take care of my responsibilities.
Allowing me to handle my pleasure like a pirate does treasure
Being responsible frees me to enjoy life's pleasures to the fullest extent.
My rhymes are burried too deep to measure by the sands of the hourglass
The depth and impact of my words are immeasurable.
In otherwords built to last
My legacy will endure and remain influential for generations to come.
I keep it timeless because I take my time with it
I am deliberate and thoughtful in my approach to life and music.
Respect goes out to civilized and committed
I show respect to those who value and prioritize living intentionally and conscientiously.
Cuz once you hear the capital J, rap it'll stay
My music and message will have a lasting impact on those who hear it.
With you for awhile and it won't go away
My music will remain with you and continue to resonate, even after hearing it just once.
What do you do when you got 22 things to task
When faced with multiple obligations, what is the best course of action?
And 10 minutes to deal with it
Time is limited and requires efficient use.
And for the first 5 you bullshitted
Wasting time on unproductive efforts only exacerbates the situation.
The scenario really best describes our folks
This situation is emblematic of broader societal issues.
Its like devils got plans and niggaz got jokes
The system is set up for failure, and marginalized people are often treated as a joke.
Like an underdog team got hopes, but
Despite the odds, there is still hope for success.
Hoop dream buzzer-beaters choke when y'all triple team pointguards go nuts
Even with hard work and dedication, success can be hindered by outside forces and opposition.
Power corrupts
Having power often leads to unethical and immoral behavior.
And its a shame cuz the hardest working squad gets left with the donut
It is unfortunate that those who put in the most effort often do not reap the rewards.
The front runners say "so what?"
Those in positions of power often benefit from the status quo and are indifferent to the struggles of others.
They can't back their home team cuz they got no guts
The powerful lack the courage and integrity to support those who need it most.
And high scorers check stats but they still have yet to win
Those who excel materially still lack true success and fulfillment.
Plus tomorrow they'll be riding the bench once again, you see
Material success is fleeting and temporary.
In this game I'm not trying to be the M.V.P
I am not looking for individual success or recognition.
Cuz the enemy's the clock and the referee
Time is constantly working against us, and systems of power can be unjust and biased.
Because its obvious the world is out of order
The current state of the world is chaotic and not working for most people.
I hope you wake up cuz we in the forth quarter y'all..Timeless
I hope people become aware of the dire situation we are in, because time is running out.
Who pays dues plus sales tax
Who is truly paying the price for success and progress?
Just to paint a picture with a thousand words
Creating quality art and music requires significant effort and investment.
Only to find out your visions is blurred
Even with the best intentions, it can be difficult to create art that accurately reflects reality.
Its absurd but still I observe
Despite the obstacles and challenges, I am still committed to creating and observing quality art.
How the brilliance of Blackness is missed when a sights unheard
Black excellence and creativity is often overlooked or ignored by mainstream society.
As old rhyme styles fester like dreams deferred
Outdated approaches to music and art can harm creativity and progress.
New styles just might shine at God's speed indeed
Innovation and progress can happen, but only in due time and with patience.
But some still wear the mask that grins and lies
Despite progress and change, some still cling to outdated and harmful attitudes and behaviors.
Hides cheeks and shades eyes but I'm not suprised
I am not surprised by people's resistance to change and progress.
It's no disguise cuz my five eyes remain all wise
My perspective and insight remain honest and true, despite others' resistance to change.
No excuse cuz the innocent is still down south, no escape
The innocent and marginalized still suffer from systemic oppression and violence, with no clear solution or relief.
We remain robbed, killed and raped
The violence and systemic oppression against marginalized groups is ongoing and continuous.
Till you take back your mind and extract the lies
Ending systemic oppression requires taking back control of one's own thoughts and beliefs, and challenging oppressive systems and structures.
But until then, I still utilize my pen
Until change happens, I will continue to use my platform and art to speak truth to power.
To lead the land from the slaughter and a horse to the water
I am using my art to try to help society overcome violence, oppression, and ignorance.
Continuing the face the stress of lifes test
Despite the challenges, I am still committed to making positive change and speaking truth.
With rhymes that impress the best cuz my mind is timeless
My art and perspective are enduring and will stand the test of time.
Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.