J-Live has built a reputation as one of hip-hop’s shining stars. The New York-born, Philadelphia-based MC has been wowing fans with his immaculate flow and intelligent lyrics since 1995, dropping classic singles and albums on the regular while establishing himself as one of the independent hip-hop scene’s true talents. The former school teacher and current Islamic 5%’er has kept this track record of creating quality hip-hop intact with the release of his third LP The Hear After, an album that follows on from J’s past work by delivering the killer combination of witty word play and bangin’ beats like only he can. Now on the eve of his upcoming Australian tour, J took some time out to talk to In The Mix about The Hear After, his inspirations, and his status in the Hip Hop community.
When did you become interested in Hip Hop?
Late! I was born and raised in New York but I spent so many summers with my grandparents in Indiana away from the scene that it wasn’t until I was old enough to come home and be home alone that I really got into it. So [I got into hip-hop] around 7th grade I’d say, [through] watching video shows and having Marly Marl and Red Alert compete for my attention on the radio. [And also from] going to house parties and jams, and listening to [DJs like] Kid Capri, Ron G, S &S, Double R, Showtime, Chill Will, Doo Wop, and the E Brothers.
You’ve just released a new album, The Hear After. How does it differ from your other albums? What kinds of subject matter are you dealing with?
[It differs from my other albums] just as I differ from the J-Live of my other albums. I’ve grown since [releasing my other albums] – It’s been 3 years between each full length [LP]. I went from student to teacher to father, so there’s a growth in the maturity of my content, and how comfortable I am with my style, [and] how familiar I am with my listeners. Plus [with my last album] All of the Above, as proud as I am of it, [it] left some things undone. I wanted to try some different styles of beats. Not so much jazz this time around. I don’t want people to feel like they can know what to expect from my choice of beat. The subject matter differs slightly from one record to the next, but it’s primarily introspective. I’m talking mostly about different aspects and times of my life: From growing up in Harlem to teaching in Brooklyn; from being a kid to raising a family; [and] from being on tour and [being in the] underground to just observing what life is like as a black man in the USA in 2005
What are your favourite tracks off the album?
It’s hard to say. It changes from time to time. Right now I’d have to say ‘Brooklyn Public’. Not only [because] it’s the most important record topic-wise, but [because] I never thought it would be the most enjoyable to perform, [which it is]. I can see the words reaching people in their faces as I’m kicking it. I’m pretty proud of that song. The understated beat was a good approach production-wise; it’s just a simple drum program and me on the keys. I think it came off rather well.
You are one of a small group of artists to enjoy success without major television exposure or radio airplay. Why do you feel you have been successful without the real push that television and radio exposure provides?
I don’t feel I’m successful just yet. I feel like I’m on the verge. No one has spent the kind of money on me to generate the kind of radio and video buzz that you speak of. I would spend it but I don’t have it. [More] marketing dollars are necessary to compete with those [artists] who do [have money in order to] gain exposure to people that aren’t die-hard hip hop heads, but would still enjoy my music if they had a chance to hear it. I am very proud of my fan base as it is today and continues to grow. I wouldn’t trade my path for anyone else’s out there. But honestly, I have a ways to go before I am able to reach as many people as I’d like to. Fortunately I have a lot of music left in me. I’m still very young in the game.
You are constantly referred to as an ‘underground legend’. What are your feelings on firstly being referred to as a legend, and secondly, always being referred to as underground?
If it weren’t for the underground, no one would consider me a legend at all. So I can’t do anything but appreciate it. I know there are artists out there and fans coming up that have been influenced by my music the same way I was influenced by the groups and emcees I grew up listening to. So that’s the greatest compliment to me. I want to grow bigger than the underground. But I don’t want to grow away from the underground. It’s a part of me. The problem to me is, it used to be you were underground until you blew up. Now it seems like you’re either underground, or you blow up. It’s an unfortunate position at times. But what my fans lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. And I love them for their feedback and inspiration
You are a trained teacher. What made you get into teaching?
Being a 5%’er influenced me to want to teach. Being an emcee influenced me to study English in school. So I teach English. I love the everyday interaction with the kids. I am very patient with large loud groups. I notice my influence on them even when they don’t.
What can the fans expect to see from your live show?
[The fans can expect] clarity, energy, and synergy between the MC and DJ. [My DJ] Flo Fader and I work very hard on tweaking the show to get the most out of the crowd. We feed off of their energy. And my show is a true representation of my whole career – we do songs from all my albums.
Finally, what are you most looking forward too about your upcoming tour of Australia?
[I’m looking forward to just] being in Australia, setting foot on the continent! [I want to take] in the sights and sounds of the culture and see hip hop’s influence on it – just everything about the trip really. I’m amped!
J-Live visits Australia this December:
Thu Dec 8 – Earth, Adelaide w/ Blackalicious
Fri Dec 9 – Meredith Festival, Victoria
Sat Dec 10 – The Espy, Melbourne (BUY TICKETS)
Sun Dec 11 – The Basement, Sydney (BUY TICKETS)
