J-Live Is Releasing The Instrumentals To Some Of His Illest Productions

Image via J-Live

One of my favorite things about the legend J-Live is that he's a triple threat. There are a number of rapper-producers, and DJ-producers, but it's rare that you see a rapper who is just as talented of a producer as he is a DJ; hell, have you seen him perform "Braggin' Writes" live on the decks? Phenomenal.

Live has recently released Actual Tracks Vol. 1, the first in a series of self-produced instrumentals from his previous works. We're talking from his 16-year, nine-release catalog. It's structured like a mixtape, and is a DOPE time capsule of how one of the nicest emcees ever to do it gets busy on the boards.

I think I really got into his work via his All of the Above album, which featured a cut entitled "Whatever." It's a parody of rappers building themselves up to start rhyming, but never getting to the end. Finally, 15 years later, he's dropped "Whatever Revisited." AKA the wait is over!

You can stream Actual Tracks Vol. 1, and grab the full release via Bandcamp.

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J-Live - "Eleven Nine"

I've been a fan of J-Live's for over 15 years, but I have to keep it a buck: this new joint, "Eleven Nine," has me feeling the way I felt about his sophomore album, 2002's The Best Part. Something about J diving deep into his social commentary bag, pouring all of those feelings we've had since Trump won the election on top of the stale cereal made up of America's fuckery into some heat. Deeply poetic, all the way real, "Eleven Nine" is true food for thought.

This track is taken from At The Date Of This Writing (Vol 1), the first in a series of all self-produced cuts from J-Live. It's out via Mortier Music on December 12. "Eleven Nine" is available when you pre-order; stream this serious dose of medicine and cop the project ASAP.

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J-Live - "Feel This"

Damn, is it already new J-Live season?! I actually went through a number of his older cuts a few weeks ago, so getting "Feel This," the new single from his forthcoming album How Much Is Water? has me open. As per usual, Live drenches some fly intellect inside his hypnotic flows.

How Much Is Water? drops via Mortier Music on October 23.

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J-Live - "Pay It Forward"

This feels so summery, which is in direct competition with the actual weather forecast right now. This is taken from His Own Self, which is due out on March 17.

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J-Live - "The Greatest Thing"

Word is J-Live is working on an instrumental album? If it sounds like "The Greatest Thing," I hope it drops soon. This is perfect #hoodieseason early morning vibes.

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J-Live - "I Am A Man (American Justice)"

J-Live penned a track that resonates with many of us who are living "free" in America while still being under the constant fear and struggle of, well, walking while black. Or driving while black. Or whatever the case may be; shit is real out there. I respect him talking about the cops not even knowing the beat they are paid to walk. "We black, and yall cops."

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J-Live ft. Sam London & Tanya Morgan - "City To City"

New J-Live album dropping on April 29 entitled Around The Sun. This cut features Tanya Morgan, and is all kinds of fun hip-hop. Just what I needed. With the sun out, and the weather getting nicer, I might need to start my next few cookouts with this one.

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DJ J-Live - HOTvsDOPE Vol. 1​.​1

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[video] J-Live "As I Start (Over)"

This tracks is available on Bandcamp.

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[video] ILLUS ft. J-Live "Magical"

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[video] J-Live "The Authentic"

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Go Buy J-Zone's Root For The Villain

Out of the few books I have to finish, Root For The Villain by J-Zone was one of them. I got the press copy and due to some good fortune, I was able to knock out this one over the weekend. I'll admit - I'm one of the few who was a big Zone fan years back (still am, but you know what I mean), so I went into this trying to get a glimpse at the man behind the Old Maid Billionaires empire. What I ended up getting was a statement on old trends making the man. The same reasons I fuck with Dallas Penn (attention to great detail, humor, dedication to history) are the same reasons why J-Zone wins, and this book lays it all out there. From backstory on his family and how their ways raised him, to his many tales on discovering Hip-Hop and how it shaped him, as well as his hard work and stories about the industry, he brings out a lot in what might seem like small, quick shots. I wish I could write more like him, and I appreciate his releases even more when I read these tales. If you grew up copping CDs with the long cardboard cases... or you had a stack of cassettes on deck, this is for you. Don't sleep on this. Don't even buy it for anyone else - cop it for delphia.

PURCHASE J-Zone Root For The Villain in the following formats: Kindle , Paperback or order a personalized edition from Zone's website.

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J-Live "A Day In The Life"

It's not even been a week since J-Live dropped The Live Identity, and he hits us with something free. This jawn is a cover of a classic Diamond D & Brand Nubian track, and taken from the second mixtape of The Live Trilogy series, The Live Supremacy, which I imagine will be dropping very soon. Constantly playing off his Triple Threat status of being a tough producer, DJ and MC, the "day in the life (of three black men)" is about, well, the triumverate that lives inside his own mental. And you niggas wonder why he's my favorite MC. Hell, he even flips his delivery to mimic each MC he's paying homage to. J-Live FTW. Said Person of That Ability, 27th September.

DOWNLOAD J-Live "A Day In The Life"

A Day In The Life (Diamond D & Brand Nubian Cover) by J-Live

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J-Live - The Live Identity

I love how J-Live plays up the fact that he's a Triple Threat. Literally. His imprint is called Triple Threat, he's a talented DJ, ill producer and he's a phenomenal MC. It makes sense that for the run up to the release of his next album, Said Person Of that Ability, he'd sort out "The Live Trilogy" (which is a play on the "Bourne" films), a collection of mixtapes that featuring old, new, rare, hot and classic J-Live material, from the mid-'90s through jawns from the new LP (which drops September 27th). Shit, the nigga hosted and mixed the tape, even! Come on. Your favorite artist doing that? Personal favorites on this tape include "Braggin Writes", "Walkman Music", ""The Way That I Rhyme" and more. If you're not a fan, better become a fan. Wordup.

DOWNLOAD J-Live - The Live Identity

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DJ Solo ft. J-Live "Parts Unknown"

DJ Solo ft. J-Live "Parts Unknown": I almost had a heart attack when this e-mail came through – I thought this was the Hip-Hop/Dubstep DJ SOLO out of Chitown, but this Solo hails from across the pond. DJ Solo is said to be influential in the Middle Eastern Hip-Hop scene, but it’s really not where you’re from. This sounds like Hip-Hop, no nationality. J-Live is perfect. You could give that nigga any kind of heat and he’ll throw you a gem, as he’s done here. Feels like the perfect track to help usher in the proper Spring weather, right? Solo’s Who Is Wriggly Scott? album is on the way...

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J-Live At Triumph (1/29/2011)

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[video] J-Live "Braggin' Writes" LIVE

This was taken during Von Pea's Pea's Gotta Have It LP release at SOB's last month. Kind of upset that the crowd didn't get wild when this instrumental dropped. Via Ka5p.

If you wanna see him perform the full track, check this video:

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[video] J-Live ft. Boog Brown "The Way That I Rhyme"

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DJ J-Live First Things First, Vol. 3

This is the latest installment of the mixtape series "First Things First". Like the previous two, Volume 3 is a mix of quality hip hop, both old and new. All of the songs are the first real song on their respective albums. As always, "skits and interludes not included". First Things First Vol 3 is both mixed and hosted by DJ J-Live, with assistance and guest drops from super producer J-Live, and emcee extraordinaire J-live. While they were busy plugging their new 6 song EP "Undivided Attention" (on vinyl and digital November 2nd) they also took time out to correct a mistake made on Volume 2.

DOWNLOAD DJ J-Live First Things First, Vol. 3

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"Real DJs Don't Take Requests"

J-Live channels Kid Capri with this tee; available now for $15.

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