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As an emcee, dee-jay, producer and CEO of his aptly named company Triple Threat Productions, J-Live's music has been a staple of inspiration for listeners of hip hop from New York to Cali and around the world. His discography spans over 10 years and includes four full-length albums, two EPs, a collection of earlier singles, as well as countless guest appearances and features. His last two projects “Reveal the Secret EP” and the full length “Then What Happened” were released by BBE in May 2008.
While J-Live is all but a household name to those who collect their knowledge of hip hop music via mainstream radio, he has worked with his share of icons in the industry. Producers such as DJ Premiere, Pete Rock, DJ Spinna, Prince Paul, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spooky, Numark, Da Beatminerz, Dan the Automater to name a few. Recording artists the likes of Mos Def, El Da Sensei, Wordsworth, Talib Kweli, Chali Tuna and several others have all shared song credits with JLive. World renown for a stage show that lives up to his name, J has toured around the country as well as Canada, the UK, Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. J-Live shared stages with artists such as The Roots, Wyclef Jean, Fabolous, Soulive, Ozomatli, Soundtribe Sector 9, Blackalicious, Sister Nancy, Wu Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, MF Doom, KRS One, and many others.
Born Jean-Jacques Cadet (Jon Joc Ka-Day) and raised by his Mother in Spanish Harlem on the east side of Manhattan off First Ave, J-Live reps NY in more ways than one. While working towards his bachelors degree in English from State University of New York at Albany, J-live was already touring the world and learning the ropes of the industry. Introduced to the 5% Nation (or Nation of Gods & Earths) during his college years, Jean-Jacques would eventually change his name to Justice Allah.
For better or worse, J-Live has developed a reputation for going against the grain of an industry dominated by flavor of the month pigeon holed made up characters. J’s subject matter is as eclectic as his taste in music. His most popular tracks show that he is more than just a boastful wordsmith that can rock a party. Often times an introspective philosopher of life, love, music, and people, J delivers hard hitting well thought out social commentary on issues ranging from US Foreign policy to the environment, black on black crime to police brutality. However, he is very deliberate in maintaining balance on each of his albums. Humorous, sometimes hilarious narratives like One for the Griot or Car Trouble are filled with vivid imagery. There are the traditionally devastating battle verses on songs like Whoever and Always Will Be. Party and show anthems like Adda Cipher, Harder, and Don’t Play. As his reputation and following continue to grow with his catalogue, the one common and constant theme in J-Live’s ever evolving style of music, is the use of original styles, and imaginative concepts, to stay fresh relevant and timeless.
J-Live Interview by comprojects While J-Live is all but a household name to those who collect their knowledge of hip hop music via mainstream radio, he has worked with his share of icons in the industry. Producers such as DJ Premiere, Pete Rock, DJ Spinna, Prince Paul, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spooky, Numark, Da Beatminerz, Dan the Automater to name a few. Recording artists the likes of Mos Def, El Da Sensei, Wordsworth, Talib Kweli, Chali Tuna and several others have all shared song credits with JLive. World renown for a stage show that lives up to his name, J has toured around the country as well as Canada, the UK, Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. J-Live shared stages with artists such as The Roots, Wyclef Jean, Fabolous, Soulive, Ozomatli, Soundtribe Sector 9, Blackalicious, Sister Nancy, Wu Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, MF Doom, KRS One, and many others.
Born Jean-Jacques Cadet (Jon Joc Ka-Day) and raised by his Mother in Spanish Harlem on the east side of Manhattan off First Ave, J-Live reps NY in more ways than one. While working towards his bachelors degree in English from State University of New York at Albany, J-live was already touring the world and learning the ropes of the industry. Introduced to the 5% Nation (or Nation of Gods & Earths) during his college years, Jean-Jacques would eventually change his name to Justice Allah.
For better or worse, J-Live has developed a reputation for going against the grain of an industry dominated by flavor of the month pigeon holed made up characters. J’s subject matter is as eclectic as his taste in music. His most popular tracks show that he is more than just a boastful wordsmith that can rock a party. Often times an introspective philosopher of life, love, music, and people, J delivers hard hitting well thought out social commentary on issues ranging from US Foreign policy to the environment, black on black crime to police brutality. However, he is very deliberate in maintaining balance on each of his albums. Humorous, sometimes hilarious narratives like One for the Griot or Car Trouble are filled with vivid imagery. There are the traditionally devastating battle verses on songs like Whoever and Always Will Be. Party and show anthems like Adda Cipher, Harder, and Don’t Play. As his reputation and following continue to grow with his catalogue, the one common and constant theme in J-Live’s ever evolving style of music, is the use of original styles, and imaginative concepts, to stay fresh relevant and timeless.
The fundamentals of foundational Hip-Hop pulsate vibrantly through the veins of the multi-dimensional artist, John Robinson. Born in the South Bronx and raised in Far Rockaway, Queens, this native New Yorker has sojourned through the underground scenes of New York, New Jersey, Atlanta and Los Angeles with the result of creating a sound that is universally magnetic to hip-hop audiences of various backgrounds. With his Nas-like vocal tone and calm demeanor akin to C.L Smooth, Robinson AKA Lil Sci of the world-renowned east coast group Scienz of Life, rekindles his alter ego to autobiographically introduce to his new chiseled personality that spits nothing less than lyrical perfection. Now is the time for the world to be faced with the question “Who is this man? As Robinson embarks upon introducing his biggest record to date, Executive produced and overseen by none other than the Super Villain MF DOOM.
Inspired by Hip-Hop legends such as KRS-1, Slick Rick, Brand Nubian and KMD to name a few, JR has been rocking mics since before his first chin hair. These same legends helped Robinson to mold himself to a scientific sort of political advisor that enjoys speaking to audiences both en masse and one person at a time. And having performed with the likes of The Roots, Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Dead Prez, Run DMC, MF DOOM and many others nationally and internationally (i.e. Rome, Switzerland, Germany and Paris) John Robinson is a proven performance aficionado. If that weren’t enough this super energetic emcee, well seasoned in the marketing side and the creative side of urban music has elevated to the executive level. Currently the President of Shaman Work Recordings, John is currently manning the release of the new solo albums of hip-hop veteran C.L. Smooth of the historical Pete Rock and CL Smooth and Wise Intelligent of the Legendary Poor Righteous Teachers.
Disguised as an All-American entertainer John Robinson is truly crouching rapper hidden freedom fighter and this is clever interwoven in his music. Written in the character of his alter ego “Lil Sci”(introducing John Robinson to the audible world) his music speaks to every true hip-hop fan. His lyrics are scribed with sheer poetic acumen and his beats pound manhole covers off of city streets.
In a world of rancidly stale excuses for music, this Shaman Work president reps the name of his label by bringing forth a musical healing that is probably one of the reasons hip-hop hasn’t plunged into the bottom of the sea. And with a catalogue that dates back to 1996 it’s a definite blessing to the world that John Robinson rhymes.
Creating adeptly with stealth and panache, John Robinson proves to not only be a gem to every studio he graces, he also composes music that is regarded as crown jewels to his cohorts. Upon indulging in his music, listeners will be swept away by the soulfully rich tracks, stitched to Robinson’s warm and melodic utterances of messages as down to earth as Studio One style reggae music but cutting edge and ahead of it’s time. The ultimate performer, this Aries dragon isn’t just a lyricist but a producer and music business mogul as well. And he uses each of these talents to concoct a musical package that stands to be heralded as a top-flight hip-hop classic.
John Robinson Interview by cipharadio
I wrote and recorded my first EP, "Nourishment" in 3 months and started doing shows. I was pretty unusually nice so it didn't take much time for cats to recognize. Big shout to End of the Weak for really allowing me to gain my initial strong foothold. I dropped my first album soon after "Nourishment. (Second Helpings)." It was slamming and everybody that heard it could tell that something was up. I work very hard so things have pretty much been smooth sailing. I picked up Unsigned Hype in The Source that first summer after one of the writers wound up at a show I did at the Bowery Poetry Club, (When cats see my live show it's pretty much a done deal. I have fun), and that really got the ball rolling.