J-Live, one of underground hip hop’s rising stars, is coming to The Historic Ashland Armory on Friday night June 27 at 8:30. He is extraordinarily unique as he is both an Mcee and DJ at the same time. What does it take to be a great MCee? Lyrics? Cadence? Vocal tenacity? Craftsmanship? Or perhaps that all-encompassing umbrella term for rhyme proficiency we simply refer to as "skills"? For J-Live (a/k/a Jean-Jacques Cadet), the answer is All of the Above, the title of his latest release.
Having worked as a 10th grade English teacher in Bushwick, Brooklyn, J-Live is a masterful wordsmith with keen style and grace. As a testament to his belief in the effective power of booty-shakin’, All of the Above features production from DJ Spinna, Use Dinero, DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Touch of Jazz, and the illustrious J-Live himself. One quick listen to All of the Above, and you’ll hear how J’s got more in common with John Coltrane than Jay-Z.
J-Live has been exemplifying greatness on the mic since 1995 when he was recognized by The Source magazine in its prestigious "Unsigned Hype" column while still a freshman English major attending SUNY-Albany. Such accolades would prove more than warranted later that year, when J’s independently released debut track, "Braggin’ Writes," became an immediate underground hit that sold an impressive 13,000 vinyl copies. Sales figures for "Braggin’ Writes" were doubled in 1996 by J’s follow-up, "Can I Get It," which landed him his debut label deal on PayDay/London Records. Because of major label consolidation, J’s "first" full-length album - the now-classic, bootleg-plagued The Best Part - was never officially released. As a result, All of the Above, is one of the most anticipated hip-hop records of the past few years.
Along with J-Live will be Ashland favorite’s and home town heroes, Eastern Sunz and
The 12" Associates. The doors will open at 8:30. Ticket prices have been lowered to
$10 in advance to give everyone an opportunity to attend this all ages event. Tickets are available at Music Coop and Low Down Boardshop in Ashland, Pro Audio in Medford, and Listen Here in Grants Pass
For more info contact Beach Avenue Productions-541-488-3495
