J-Live
J-Live | |
---|---|
Birth name | Jean-Jacques Cadet |
Also known as | Justice Allah |
Born |
[1] New York, U.S.A. | February 22, 1976
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupations | rapper |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels | Triple Threat Productions |
Website | www.j-livemusic.net |
Jean-Jacques Cadet, better known by his stage name J-Live, is a rapper, DJ and producer from New York.
Early career and The Best Part
J-Live first appeared on the underground hip-hop scene in 1995, when he was a freshman English major at the University at Albany, The State University of New York. His first single "Longevity" appeared on Mark Farina's Mushroom Jazz CD, and follow-up singles "Braggin' Writes" and "Hush the Crowd" garnered widespread attention, getting him printed in the "Unsigned Hype" section of The Source. This led to a record contract with Raw Shack Records. His first album, The Best Part, recorded from 1995 to 1999, featured production by Prince Paul, DJ Premier, and Pete Rock. Due to problems with his record label, J-Live left the label and the album was shelved. He moved to Payday Records, but when Payday's parent company London Records was bought from Universal Music Group by WEA, the album was again shelved. In 2001, copies surfaced as bootlegs and several were of such high quality it was rumored that J-Live himself was behind them. By the fall of 2001, The Best Part was finally officially released after five years of label problems. It was released on Triple Threat Productions, J-Live's own record label.
All of the Above to Then What Happened?
In 2002 his second album, All of the Above was released on the label, Coup D'état. It featured production by DJ Spinna, Usef Dinero, P Smoova and J-Live himself. In 2003 J-Live simultaneously released two EPs, Always Has Been and Always Will Be. Always Has Been was a collection of J-Live's six early singles which did not appear on any of his albums. Always Will Be consisted of 8 new songs. Both EPs were released on the label, Triple Threat Productions. His third LP, The Hear After was released in 2005 on the label, Penalty (Ryko), and was followed in 2007 with another EP, Reveal the Secret, and in 2008 with an LP entitled Then What Happened?, both from BBE Records.
Personal life
After completion of his English degree from SUNY Albany, J-Live became a middle school English teacher in Brownsville and Bushwick, Brooklyn. He later left teaching for the full time pursuit of his hip-hop career. J-Live is currently living in Philadelphia, PA. He is married and has three children. He is of Haitian descent. J-Live is a member of The Nation of Gods and Earths.
Discography
Albums
- The Best Part (2001)
- All of the Above (2002)
- Always Has Been [EP] (2003)
- Always Will Be [EP] (2003)
- The Hear After (2005)
- Reveal The Secret [EP] (2007)
- Then What Happened? (May 2008)
- Undivided Attention [EP] (Nov 2010)
- S.P.T.A. (Said Person of That Ability) (2011)
Appearances
- 31 February by The Nextmen
- Azucar (Remix) by Soulive
- Boogie by Oddisee, also featuring Asheru
- Bosoms by Wordsworth, also featuring Soulive
- Brand Nu Live by DJ Nu-Mark
- Break It Down by DJ Jazzy Jeff
- Get It, Got It by DJ Jazzy Jeff
- Give It Up with R.A. the Rugged Man on Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture
- Great Live Caper by J. Rawls
- Hip Hop Romper Room Pt. 1 by Vakill
- Hip Hop Romper Room Pt. 2 by Vakill
- I Say Peace by Dela
- O! (9.11) by Da Beatminerz
- Practice by DJ Jazzy Jeff
- Rules of Engagement by 7L & Esoteric
- Selector by the Lifesavas
- She Said What? by Quantic Soul Orchestra
- Sub-Level by Rob Swift
- The City by Dela, also featuring Surreal
- The Last Sunshine by Pigeon John
- The Truth by Handsome Boy Modeling School
- The Formula by Apathy (rapper)
- Time Difference by Homecut
- Trackrunners by Asheru & Blue Black of Unspoken Heard
- Vacation by Jazz Liberatorz
- What's crazy? by Oddisee, also featuring Stik Figa
- Whatyawando? by El Da Sensei
- Observe the sound by Apathy (rapper)
References
- ↑ [{{http://www.allmusic.com/artist/j-live-mn0000105308}} allmusic Biography]
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to J-Live. |
- Official website
- J-Live discography at Discogs
- J-Live - Reveal The Secret EP review