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/
What You Holdin'
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you hear what I hear?
Do you see what I see?
Do you see what I see?
Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky little lamb
A star, a star
Dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb to the Shepard boy
Do you hear what I hear?
Ringing through the sky Shepard boy
Do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song
High above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Do you hear what I hear?
Do you hear what I hear?
Do you see what I see?
Do you see what I see?
Said the Shepard boy to the mighty King
Do you know what I know?
In your palace all mighty King
Do you know what I know?
A child, a child
Shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Silver and gold, all mighty King, all mighty King, ah ah
A child shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold, silver and gold
Said the King to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere,
Listen to what I say
A child, a child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
Do you hear what I hear?
Do you hear what I hear?
Do you hear what I hear?
Do you hear what I hear?
Do you hear what I hear?
The song "What You Holdin'" by J-Live is a reflective and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of perception, communication, and social responsibility. The lyrics use a series of rhetorical questions, inviting listeners to consider whether they truly see and hear the things happening around them.
The repetition of the questions "Do you hear what I hear?" and "Do you see what I see?" emphasizes the importance of paying attention to one's surroundings and being aware of the deeper meanings behind them. It suggests that there is more to the world than meets the eye and that true understanding requires active observation and listening.
The conversation between the night wind and the little lamb introduces the idea of seeing something remarkable in the sky. The star with a tail as big as a kite represents an extraordinary phenomenon that catches their attention. This imagery could symbolize a moment of inspiration or enlightenment that captures the imagination and invites further exploration.
The interaction between the little lamb and the shepherd boy adds another layer to the song. The shepherd boy asks the lamb if it hears what he hears, perhaps alluding to a profound insight or revelation he has come across. The "song high above the trees with a voice as big as the sea" signifies a powerful message that resonates deeply. This passage highlights the importance of actively listening to the world around us and being receptive to the wisdom and guidance it offers.
The conversation between the shepherd boy and the mighty king focuses on the significance of a child in need. The child symbolizes vulnerability and innocence, suffering in the cold. The shepherd boy suggests bringing the child silver and gold, emphasizing the collective responsibility of society to address the needs of the less fortunate. This verse underscores the idea that true power lies in compassion and the willingness to extend a helping hand to those in need.
Finally, the king addresses the people and urges them to pay attention and listen. He calls for prayers for peace, emphasizing the significance of collective action and empathy. The child mentioned earlier is likened to a beacon of hope, bringing goodness and light into the world. The repetition of the question "Do you hear what I hear?" at the end reinforces the message of active engagement with the world and the importance of understanding and communication in fostering a better society.
Overall, "What You Holdin'" prompts listeners to reflect on their ability to perceive and empathize with others, promoting a message of introspection, social responsibility, and the power of collective action.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you hear what I hear?
Are you listening to the same message that I am hearing?
Do you see what I see?
Are you observing the same thing that I am observing?
Said the night wind to the little lamb
The wind spoke to the innocent and vulnerable lamb
Do you see what I see?
Are you perceiving the same thing that I perceive?
Way up in the sky little lamb
Up high in the sky, little lamb
Do you see what I see?
Do you notice the same thing that I notice?
A star, a star
A luminous celestial body
Dancing in the night
Moving gracefully in the darkness
With a tail as big as a kite
Having a tail of considerable size
With a tail as big as a kite
Having a tail of considerable size
Said the little lamb to the Shepard boy
The lamb spoke to the boy who tends to the sheep
Do you hear what I hear?
Can you perceive the same sound that I am hearing?
Ringing through the sky Shepard boy
Resonating throughout the vast sky, Shepard boy
Do you hear what I hear?
Can you hear the same sound that I am hearing?
A song, a song
A melodic composition
High above the trees
At a great height surpassing the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
Having a voice as powerful as the vast ocean
With a voice as big as the sea
Having a voice as powerful as the vast ocean
Do you hear what I hear?
Are you able to hear the same thing that I am hearing?
Do you hear what I hear?
Are you able to perceive the same sound that I am perceiving?
Do you see what I see?
Are you able to observe the same thing that I am observing?
Do you see what I see?
Are you able to notice the same thing that I am noticing?
Said the Shepard boy to the mighty King
The Shepard boy spoke to the powerful King
Do you know what I know?
Do you possess the same knowledge that I possess?
In your palace all mighty King
Inside your grand palace, mighty King
Do you know what I know?
Do you have the same understanding that I have?
A child, a child
An innocent and young human being
Shivers in the cold
Trembles due to the low temperature
Let us bring him silver and gold
We should offer him valuable items made of silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and gold
We should present him with items of worth, specifically silver and gold
Silver and gold, all mighty King, all mighty King, ah ah
Precious metals, oh great King, oh great King, ah ah
A child shivers in the cold
An innocent and young human being trembles due to the low temperature
Let us bring him silver and gold, silver and gold
We should bring valuable items made of silver and gold, silver and gold
Said the King to the people everywhere
The King spoke to the individuals in all locations
Listen to what I say
Pay attention to my words
Pray for peace, people everywhere
Invoke prayers for peace, all people in every place
Listen to what I say
Pay attention to my message
A child, a child
An innocent and young human being
Sleeping in the night
Resting during the nighttime
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us positive qualities and illumination
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us positive qualities and illumination
Do you hear what I hear?
Are you able to listen to the same sound that I am hearing?
Do you hear what I hear?
Are you able to perceive the same sound that I am perceiving?
Do you hear what I hear?
Can you hear the same sound that I am hearing?
Do you hear what I hear?
Can you perceive the same sound that I am perceiving?
Do you hear what I hear?
Are you able to listen to the same message that I am hearing?
Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Written by: Noel Regney, Gloria Shayne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind