J-Live was born and raised in Uptown Manhattan, New York City. After making… Read Full Bio ↴J-Live was born and raised in Uptown Manhattan, New York City. After making a home for himself in Brooklyn upon graduating from SUNY at Albany, J relocated to Philadelphia in 2003. "Moving to Philly was more for the family than any kind of career move. But the whole music scene here and the hip hop community here have embraced me with open arms since I arrived. I've gotten a lot of support from so many different artists and dee jays. This city is jam packed with talented and beautiful people."

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/

You Out There
J-Live Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

힘껏 안은 두 팔이 느슨해 질 때
더 힘껏 내게로 안기는

애타게 아프게 흐르는 벅찬 영화야
비워도 가득 채워지는 눈물은

그건 사랑이라 부르는
오직 한사람 너야

오우 넌 내안 가득히

다시 오늘이 내 마지막처럼
너를 사랑해
오우 넌 내안 가득히 오오우

자신없는 발걸음 느려질 때면
더 크게 들리는 멜로디

이 세상 하나밖에 없는 슬픈 노래야
끝까지 부르고 불러도 끝없는

그건 사랑이라 부르는
오직 한 사람 너야
오우 넌 내안 가득히

다시 오늘이 내 마지막처럼
너를 사랑해
오우 넌 내안 가득히 오우

가끔 겁이 나서 내일이 두려워서
혼자 말없이 헤매곤 하지만

사랑해 널 사랑해 조용히 외쳐본다
오우 난 너를 사랑해
그래 오늘이 내 마지막처럼
너를 사랑해

오우 난 너를 사랑해
그건 사랑이라 부르는
오직 한 사람 너야
오우 넌 내안 가득히
다시 오늘이 내 마지막처럼

너를 사랑해 (너를 사랑해)
내안 가득히 오우

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to J-Live's song "You Out There" convey a deep sense of love and longing for someone special. The singer describes the feeling of being embraced by that person when their own arms are weak, and how their tears are filled with love, even when they try to empty themselves. It is a powerful and emotional connection that is referred to as love, and it is clear that the singer sees this person as the one and only love in their life. They express their love for this person with all their heart, as if every day is their last, and despite moments of self-doubt and fear, they declare their love quietly and wholeheartedly.

Overall, the lyrics of "You Out There" depict a profound love that fills the singer's being, where they find solace and comfort in the embrace of their loved one. It is a passionate and emotional love that transcends words and is felt deeply within their soul. Despite the uncertainties of life, the singer remains committed to this love, shouting their love quietly, and cherishing each day as if it were their last.

Line by Line Meaning

힘껏 안은 두 팔이 느슨해 질 때
When the arms that embraced me tightly become weak

더 힘껏 내게로 안기는
You embrace me even more tightly

애타게 아프게 흐르는 벅찬 영화야
You are a passionate, painful, and overflowing movie

비워도 가득 채워지는 눈물은
The tears that fill up even when emptied

그건 사랑이라 부르는
That is called love

오직 한사람 너야
Only you, the one

오우 넌 내안 가득히
Oh, you fill me up inside

다시 오늘이 내 마지막처럼
Again, today feels like my last day

너를 사랑해
I love you

오우 넌 내안 가득히 오오우
Oh, you fill me up inside, oh

자신없는 발걸음 느려질 때면
When uncertain steps slow down