Written by Written by @bryce
How I Discovered J-Live
If you’re a huge hip-hop head like I am you probably enjoy exploring all the different works of some of your favorite artists. I know that I do at least. Around this time last year (January 2023) I found myself doing that with one of my favorite rappers, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien. I wanted to learn more about him and his work. I loved albums like Deltron 3030, and his features on tracks by the Gorillaz, but other than that I didn’t know much about him.
So, I went on a bit of a deep dive. And I found an album called “So… how’s your girl?“. It’s by the hip-hop producer duo “Handsome Boy Modeling School” comprised of two producer legends, Dan The Automator and Prince Paul. I was very very excited when I discovered this album. I was always a fan of Prince Paul, mostly with his work with De La Soul. Dan The Automator was someone I knew from the before-mentioned Deltron 3030, as well as the work he did with the Gorillaz. So I gave it a listen.
From there it quickly became one of my favorite albums! Every track impressed me with some amazing production from the duo and featured verses from a ton of different artists that I loved. But I think that the standout track for me was the 7th track, titled “The Truth” featuring vocals from Róisín Murphy and a verse from J-Live.
About J-Live
If you’ve ever thought to yourself that rappers should teach English class, I hope that today I’m introducing you to someone who actually did that. Jean Jacques Cadet, or J-Live, is a rapper, DJ, producer, and of all things a teacher and educator at heart. He’s from New York and has been in the game since around 1995. J-Live had begun gaining some notice with his released single “Longevity” and its B side “Braggin Writes“, but after graduating from SUNY in Albany, he would teach language arts in Brooklyn during the day. Once his rap career took off, he left his language arts teaching gig, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t a teacher anymore. J-Live still actively involves himself in running workshops, classes, and speaking engagements.
J-Live has been a staple of the underground hip-hop scene and has several of his own full projects and plenty of guest appearances. He’s worked and toured with many icons of hip-hop including The Roots, Black Star, Wu-Tang Clan, DJ Premier, and DJ Jazzy Jeff among others.
Them That’s Not
I first heard J-Live with one of his most popular tracks being suggested to me from the r/listentothis subreddit, his track “Them That’s Not” off his debut album “The Best Part“. I remember listening to this for the first time, being impressed, and enjoying the track a lot. It features production from himself, and a pretty speedy flow telling the story of someone named Castro. Castro, portrayed as a struggling artist, takes a chance by selling out to a record label. The lyrics convey Castro’s aspirations, his desire for financial stability, and the allure of fame. J-Live’s storytelling skills shine as he paints a picture of Castro’s dilemma, skillfully integrating wordplay and vivid imagery.
The song’s structure mirrors Castro’s trajectory, with an energetic and fast-paced start reflecting his initial rise to fame. As the narrative unfolds, the tempo gradually slows, mirroring Castro’s decline and struggles. This synchronization of lyrics and musical elements enhances the storytelling experience, emphasizing the highs and lows of the character’s journey. The beat and his lyricism really just complement each other so well. It helps tell a more full feeling and impressive narrative in a way I really wish was more common.
The Truth
This track has easily become one of my favorites of his. But, it’s not really the one that got me hooked on his stuff. As I mentioned before, the track that had that honor is “The Truth” off of the album “So… How’s your girl?”. The Truth is a song that features J-Live as well as Irish singer-songwriter Róisín Murphy. The contrast between J-Live’s rap verse and the soulful vocals from Róisín Murphy creates a very dynamic and engaging composition. It’s a song that tackles the challenges of facing the truth, both in relationships and in ways the pursuit of achieving excellence as an artist.
I personally believe this to be one of J-Live’s most impressive verses. His verse operates as a court proceeding in the realm of hip-hop. He assumes the roles of judge, jury, bailiff, and even prosecuting D.A. He uses plenty of legal and court-related terms. This builds metaphorical structure and also creates a layer of intellectual depth, displaying his ability as a wordsmith. Terms like “Ceteris paribus” and “modus operandi,” that I can’t really think of many other rappers using. (Except maybe MF DOOM, the only rapper I’ve ever heard casually pull out “Eyjafjallajökull”. You can click here to see our ranking of his albums)
He also uses this court setting as a way to critique others who exercise a style of wordplay that he finds to be rather weak and asserts his dominance in the game. The imagery of the “long arm of the law” grabbing the mic and delivering dope lines contributes to the thematic connection he’s built. He concludes the verse with a declaration of delivering the truth, emphasizing its potency and the consequences of challenging him. He repeatedly reinforces his commitment to honing his craft. All of this wordplay and the metaphor he’s built come together to make one of my favorite verses. I hope it’s clear why. With the combination of the verse, Róisín Murphy’s vocals, and the incredible beat put together by Dan and Prince Paul, I was almost instantly hooked on this song.
Conclusion
And that’s it! J-Live’s multifaceted career as a rapper, DJ, producer, and educator shines through in his intricate storytelling and unparalleled lyricism. From his early works like “Them That’s Not,” to tracks like “The Truth”, he showcases his prowess near effortlessly. The synergy between J-Live’s lyricism and the accompanying beats is a testament to his artistry. And we only talked about two songs. Two Songs! This guy has got so much more to explore and I hope that I’ve convinced you it’s worth diving into. You can learn more about him on his website, realjlive.com. And hopefully, you wanna give him a listen! I’d recommend starting with his debut, “The Best Part“. Don’t think J-Live is for you? Try checking out some other artists Under 1 million.
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