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/
music
J-Live Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I dig grooves and rhyme tracks like the art of form
The rain might stop but that don't mean the water's gone
It's kind of deep huh? well this is that sort of song
The kind of shit that will make your whole life mind toss
To recognize you ain't that small or that large
To make you understate, humble, yet headstrong
Enough to tell a motherfucker when he dead wrong
I put the pen to the pad and I procreate
To put the rhyme to your mind in a sullen state
and intoxicate... here let me demonstrate
Page one
Chapter one
Game one
Live one
Win some
Lose some
Game from
Live from
Lands bid
Fans get
Open when a man spit
Friends get
Gotten from the verses that I transmit
Damn kid
Fought by
Elders that
Walk by
Young jake
Mind state
So fly
Thought high
Whatnot
Cause my
In a mind's eye make
Me able to bring the rain, hail, (where you coming from?)
snow every day and night
Worldwide, nationwide, statewide, citywide
Live state traveling
Turning' up the living wide
From the New Museum to the Guggenheim
You could set the time to a J-live rhyme
Without a phone, 50/50, or a life line
Ask the audience whose music you incline
Cause from the Adirondacks to the Himalayas
I cross landslides varying my naysayers
Ask Buffy who the real vampire slayer
The ten percent advocates never had a prayer
Well every Euphrates river or the Harlem river
Every song your spine shiver blue spark giver
Every liver got to live here for my rhyme quiver
You set the pace here have another taste
Page two
Chapter nine
Game seven
Live still
Maintain titles like ?demanay? refills
Drop that science like cartoon anvils
Bring the competition to a motherfucking standstill
And will
Never chill
Even when I top bill
Think, use change
Cause the saws higher range
Got range like rovers over lands
Be a man, woman, and child
Recognize, extra large (where you coming from?) types, size
Worldwide, nationwide, statewide, citywide
Live state traveling
Turning up the (where you coming from?) living wide
^
2x
The song "Travelling Music" by J-Live is a lyrical masterpiece embedded with insight and introspection. In this song, J-Live expresses his fervent passion for hip-hop music and his journey as a rapper. The opening verse sets the scene for the song by J-Live referencing his many travels from the I-95 to the Autobahn, portraying his music's worldwide appeal. He boasts of his ability to create rhymes that dig grooves and rhyme tracks. The following verse is steeped in metaphors about life's complexities, where he compares the heaviness of living to a never-ending rain. The song's general theme revolves around self-discovery, understanding one's place in life, and the importance of being headstrong while still being humble.
The second verse of the song depicts J-Live's storytelling abilities, where he makes references to various landmarks across the world, such as the Marizano Bridge and the Golden Gate. He depicts his lyrical prowess as one that can intoxicate, with the ability to set time to his rhymes. The last part of the verse, where he talks about the Euphrates and the Harlem river, is symbolic of how his music reaches every corner of the world. He references a ten percent advocate, which could be interpreted as someone who does not appreciate his art form or someone who downplays the significance of hip-hop. However, J-Live is not dissuaded and continues to create music for his loyal followers.
Overall, "Travelling Music" is a captivating song filled with metaphors and insights into the artist's life, journey, and passion for music. It is a song about self-realization, understanding one's place in the world, and being true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
From the I-95 to the Autobahn
I travel across the world and take on the challenge of making music repeatedly without fear.
I dig grooves and rhyme tracks like the art of form
I create music with the same precision and care as a sculptor carving out a masterpiece.
The rain might stop but that don't mean the water's gone
Just because bad times might seemingly end or lose their intensity, their damage cannot be undone entirely, still leaving a mark.
It's kind of deep huh? well this is that sort of song
This is a thought-provoking song that goes deeper than surface-level lyrics.
The kind of shit that will make your whole life mind toss
This is the kind of music that will make you rethink your entire worldview and reconsider your actions and attitudes.
To recognize you ain't that small or that large
This music is intended to help you understand that you are not insignificant nor too important, but rather that you fit in somewhere in between.
To make you understate, humble, yet headstrong
The goal of this music is to encourage you to lower your ego, but not at the cost of your self-worth, and still be confident in your abilities.
Enough to tell a motherfucker when he dead wrong
This music should give you the self-assurance to call out those who are in the wrong, regardless of who they may be.
From the Marizano Bridge to the Golden Gate
I travel from one end of America to the other, spreading my music and message far and wide.
I put the pen to the pad and I procreate
I create new music through the power of writing and putting my ideas on paper.
To put the rhyme to your mind in a sullen state
Using my lyrics, I want to impact and bring joy to those who may be feeling down or depressed.
and intoxicate... here let me demonstrate
My music has the power to intoxicate you and make you feel like you are on top of the world. Let me show you how.
Worldwide, nationwide, statewide, citywide
My music is universal and resonates with people all over the world, no matter where they are from.
Live state traveling
I am constantly on the move, performing and creating music as I go.
Turning' up the living wide
My music encourages people to live their lives to the fullest, without constraints or limitations.
You could set the time to a J-live rhyme
My music has such a steady rhythm and flow that one could use it to keep time or pace themselves.
Without a phone, 50/50, or a life line
My music is so reliable and consistent that it doesn't require any external help or assistance to stay on track.
Ask the audience whose music you incline
My music is so good that you can ask anyone who listens to find out how great it is.
Cause from the Adirondacks to the Himalayas
Just as I travel across America, I also travel across the world, reaching everywhere from mountain ranges in the US to those in Asia.
I cross landslides varying my naysayers
Despite any hardship or negativity thrown my way, I continue to push on and cross rough terrain to make my music heard.
Ask Buffy who the real vampire slayer
Music listeners can ask anyone who's a fan of good music, and they'll know who the real deal is.
The ten percent advocates never had a prayer
Those who only deal in half-truths or inaccurate information will never have a say in how great my music is.
Well every Euphrates river or the Harlem river
From beautiful and historic rivers thousands of miles apart, my music still has an impact and reaches everyone who hears it.
Every song your spine shiver blue spark giver
My music has the power to give you chills and electrify your entire body with its brilliance.
Every liver got to live here for my rhyme quiver
Everyone deserves to listen to and enjoy my music, no matter who they are or where they're from.
You set the pace here have another taste
I am always pushing forward and trying new things in my music while still maintaining my signature sound. Try another sample and see for yourself!
Worldwide, nationwide, statewide, citywide
My music can be heard and enjoyed anywhere in the world, across every state and city.
Live state traveling
I am always moving and making music on the go, traveling to different states to share it with others.
Turning up the (where you coming from?) living wide
My music is all about making the most of life and living it to the fullest, no matter who you are or where you come from.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RockShoxLoon
J is a genius.
@ShitWrangler
i've always been down on his production and felt like his straying from outsourcing other producers to be a major downfall but this beat is probably my favourite of his and this album.
@danizm78
word! this and nights like this are both his and my favourites.
@reccct
just wanted to ask is it his beat? Sick!
@prose00
this song puts me in a muhfuckin ZONE!!!
@kiball09
i remember this shit dropping..album was raw baby
@Goetia544
2022 and still underrated asf
@prodegycruz
love this joint
@leettis
maximum respect from helsinki!
@hmlone
respect from Finland!!!