Props out to my boy J-Live for his recent visit to the Bay Area.. In case folks aren't familiar with him...He's the guy that started making a lot of noise with his independent release.. 'Hush The Crowd'. In this song flips some nice rhymes about the frustration new artists entering into the rap game may experience especially if they don't conform to the crowd's expectations... Here he talks about the creativity within hip hop being stifled by the commercialization of the music.. Hence J-Live pays tribute to those who continuously try to take the music and culture to the next level..

As a song.. I have to give it up to J-Live 'cause its definitely saucy.. His producer George..after an extended on air interview and a contest that lasted well over an hour finally revealed that the sample they use for this xylophone laced beat comes from a song first done by the old school group known as the Soul Children. Actually George didn't really give up the information.. Instead it was Boots, lead rapper for the group The Coup who called in and guessed correctly.. Just so folks know J-Live was definitely one of the bright spots for '96.. This Bronx based rapper has hit the mark by delivering nice tracks that'll have the most critical of fans boppin' his/her head.. While 'Hush The Crowd' continues to be the jam of choice for many... His other joint entitled 'Longevity' is not to be slept on....Here J flows over a dope beat that samples from reggae artist Sister Nancy...

During J-Live's visit we had a chance to sit down a chop it up a bit...The conversation centered on the 'realness' of hip hop's current crop of artist... J contended that it's hard to respect an artist when he/she doesn't write her own material.. I maintained the point that it's ok for an artist not to write each and every song that's performed.. Because hip hop has become such a big business..I feel its important that an artist have a great delivery and ideally a good stage show.. There are lots of artist who write their stuff.. but then do sloppy and even wack ass shows.. I rather have a Treach from Naughty By Nature or a Kool G Rap pen some of Queen Latifah's or Roxanne Shante's rhymes... as long as what she says is hyped and her delivery is on point.. Not everyone is gifted like J-Live to be a good song writer... and not everyone who writes can rap...

I recall recent interviews with old school pioneers Mele-Mel and Kurtis Blow.. where they spoke on how they would rehearse and make sure that what they presented to the public was 'all dat'. Mele explained that most of his raps were pre-written...and that it was hard for folks to be critical of him since his on stage performance and delivery were top of the line. Kurtis Blow echoed that point by explaining the importance of performance.. Once upon a time there was a premium for good stage shows... but nowadays many artist have gotten lazy... and while they may sound good on vinyl.. They unfortunately leave a lot to be desired for fans when they come to a concert... Hence I don't care who writes the rhymes as long as they deliver them nicely... J-Live was like they're not true emcees if they don't write their own material...

We debated this point for quite some time while we slammed down some chicken and waffles at Oakland's Roscoe's restaurant. I'll have to leave this nagging question up to you the reader... Is an emcee not an emcee if he doesn't write all his material..? Get back at me regarding that point...

Back To Hip Hop News Directory

Back to Davey D's Main Home Page