JumpinJack AJ

GROUP THERAPY - East Coast / West Coast Killaz Dr. Dre Presents...The Aftermath (1996)

NICK LACHEY - On Your Own What's Left of Me (2006)

Off Topic With Donell Jones By Ken Gibbs, Jr, AOL Black Voices Despite major transitions in his career for the last several years, Jones has produced one of his finest albums yet with 'Journey of a Gemini.' Even with an award-winning signature style and over a decade of popular R&B songs tucked tightly under his belt, Donell Jones has experienced some drama in his lengthy music career. The balancing act of producing albums while signing to a new record label every year may have slowed the process, but it certainly hasn’t put a stop to Jones’ desire to give fans another album to vibe with. “With these companies, moving from [label to label], it’s like I’m a stepchild. It’s kind of hard to get in there and make that team really yours,” says Jones of his experience in an interview with Black Voices. Despite changing labels not once, but twice mid-production, his fourth release 'Journey of a Gemini' is arguably Jones’ most imaginative effort yet. A sampling of powerhouse production from industry heavies like Jermaine Dupri, combined with Jones' own talented songwriting and production prowess has garnered "one of them albums you can just put on and let it play," as Jones put it. "It’s no different from the stuff I’ve been doing in the past, I just think that musically it's better and vocally it's better," said the singer humbly. Even with all the excitement of Jones' new release, BV decided to go Off Topic with the Chicago native. BV: What would your rap name be? DJ: "Twin." Cause I’m a Gemini. If I can’t be a singer then I have to just cut it off and come with the other guy that’s inside of me. BV: In reference to the Duke rape case, when Jessie Jackson announced that he was going to give the alleged rape victim a full scholarship so she won’t have to strip dance her way through college – what was your reaction? Did Jessie do the right thing? DJ: I think Jessie did the right thing. To be honest with you, the young lady was probably in a situation where, man, I think it’s a lot more than what they say it is. But why not give her money to go to college? If he got it like that, why not? BV: The New York Times ran a story, not that long ago, that broke down how 50% of black American men are either in prison, unemployed or uneducated. What do you think is the best piece of advice that you could give to young black men right now? DJ: I would say education. Make sure you’re well educated, and if you’re trying to get into this business that I’m in, I would say make sure you build a very strong team. Make sure it’s people that you really can trust, and people who generally have your back. It’s a rough business. BV: You’ve been singing for a long time, and you’ve got a lot of albums under your belt. What was your second career choice? Your Plan B? DJ: I never had a Plan B. It would be songwriting and producing. That would be my backup plan. I never really [saw myself] doing anything besides what I’m doing right now. BV: What was it like growing up in church, having to be in church all day? DJ: It was terrible! I was one of those kids that had to be at church at 7:00 in the morning. My father was a pastor. I was very rebellious. I didn’t really want to do anything at the church; I had to be there so long. I tried [singing in the choir] one time. They would teach us a song on Thursday, and sing another song on Sunday. I’d be up there just mouthing [the words], and don’t even know what I’m singing. So I just quit, I never really got into it. BV: Are you familiar with the Gospel of Prosperity? How do you feel about preachers promoting wealth and riches in the church? DJ: I think everybody has a different style and a different method of how they preach. I think you can get something out of a message like that but at the end of the day, for me, I learn from pastors who talk about the Bible itself and not about what you can gain pocket-wise. But I think it’s ok. BV: How does your father feel about you singing secular music? DJ: It was a dream of his. It’s never been a problem. He loves what I do. My mother, she was the kind of person that played a lot of different records. I would definitely say that my musical style came from her. Teddy Pendergrass, Alicia Myers, The Isley Brothers. I think my musical style basically came from my mom, and my [voice came from] my dad, he sings also. BV: X-Box 360 or PS2? DJ: 360! BV: What are your three favorite video games? DJ: 'Ghost Recon.' I can just play online all day with different people. The outcome of the game is always different. There’s just so many different ways to win, depending on whose team you’re on. Also 'NBA Live,' and (but it’s not on X-Box) 'Grand Theft Auto.' BV: You want to share your Xbox Live Screenname? DJ: SikoDino. BV: What’s on your iPod right now? DJ: I listen to a lot of wack rapper #1. I listen to myself. I have a Bible on there. BV: You have a Bible on your iPod? DJ: Yeah. I got it from a lady that I study with. I listen to it when I feel like something might be wrong, or I’m feeling a little crazy. To be honest with you [the narrator’s voice] is great, cause when you’re reading the Bible you have all these words that you can’t pronounce, and you really don’t get a lot out of just reading it. The narrator, he speaks in a powerful voice. It’s exciting to listen to. It has each verse, each chapter, and it’s all broken down – I look at the Bible and I listen to it at the same time.

Well, Jamie Foxx's 1st real success waz on In Living Color...then he released the album Peep This which only R-N-B fans really followed...not pop fans. It's a really good album but i never actually got it (now u can find used copies for really expensive)...then the movies started happening, his own TV show, and then the blockbusters. Music waz always one of the things he did, and his 1st album did come b4 most of his movies.

No offense 2 Beyonce and Ludacris...but they are 2 new 2 this 2 be on that list. Queen Latifah and Mos Def should be higher on the list. And Mark Wahlburg should be near the top of the list.

CASSIE - Long Way 2 Go (self-titled) (2006) Turntable, the album just dropped here in the US. So i assume it's dropping everywhere else soon. Her album reminds me of Amerie with a dash more of pop appeal. And 4 those who are turned off by her being on Bad Boy, don't worry...the Bad Boy crew doesn't produce her or appear on her album.

On the real tho'...i'll just say what i said on the Method Man post...Jay-Z is killing Def Jam. When u think of the ideal Hip-Hop label...u think Def Jam. Legends like LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Slick Rick made their name there. U also think of all the artists who were under the Rush name...like JJ+FP. When i think of the 90's...i think of LL, Slick Rick, Method Man, Warren G, Foxy Brown, Def Squad, DMX, Onyx, etc. Now look at Def Jam. When it comes 2 Hip-Hop, they've lost or are in the process of losing the only things that make the label what it was. Jay-Z is killing it. Without Russell Simmons, there is no Def Jam....PERIOD.

Method Man isn't my favorite emcee...but i like alot of his stuff. Just not 2 the point that i buy much of it. When i see the vacant feild of talented artists in Hip-Hop getting airplay and success...he definitly is one of the only ones playing on it. It's good 2 see Erick Sermon on the boards 2. But let's be real, Jay-Z is killing Def Jam. It's not really the same label anymore.

When i think "bad video"...i think of alot of 80's pop and pop rock videos.

Let me just share my frustration 4 a moment. Some of u may remember that 1991 Interview that Tim posted from some TV show. Well, i waz typing out the interview to post and offer it 2 Tim 2 put it on his site. And after spending an hour or so typing the 5 minute interview (it takes awhile to listen, pause, type, rewind, play, listen, type, etc). I was spell checking it and my computer crashed....grrrr. Anyways, i waz wondering if anyone here has a program where they can alter this interview...to raise the audio and take out some of the distortion. If anyone does, please let me know. I'll type this intervew up again soon.

Happy B-Day!!

Yeah, i love that album. The early 90's are probably my favorite time for Hip-Hop...and this is Run-DMC's early 90's album.

I picked it up...no special features. :(

CASSIE - When Your Body Is Talking (self-titled) (2006) This a good R-N-B radio friendly album!

I actually like that song and the video. I have it on tape from back in the day. And '90's fashion gay?!? Heck no. If any decade had clothing that might be looked upon that way, i think it would be the 80's.

Thanx 4 that newz!! For the most part, Wyclef's music has only gotten better with time. I can't wait 4 the next album. And i'm glad that he's taking on the mainstream with the next one. After he started avoiding the mainstream vibe...he started disappearing. It'll be good 2 see a legit emcee balancing out the crap. What about the Fugees album tho'!?!

Janet Jackson Poses Topless for Vibe AP/Vibe Magazine Two years after her overexposed performance at the Super Bowl, Janet Jackson once again poses on the cover of a major magazine without her top on. Talk About It: Post Your Thoughts NEW YORK (Aug. 7) - Janet Jackson has never been afraid to expose some skin. The 40-year-old singer, newly svelte after losing some 60 pounds, appears on the cover of Vibe magazine wearing a skimpy bikini bottom and a necklace made of large shells. Her right arm covers her breasts. Will she ever stop posing for sexy photos? "Of course. When I'm 80," she tells Vibe. "That's when I'll call it quits." Two years ago, Justin Timberlake pulled off a part of Jackson's bustier, briefly exposing one of her breasts, during the Super Bowl halftime show. In an interview in the magazine's September issue, on newsstands Aug. 15, Jackson says the incident - variously referred to as "Nipplegate" and the "bra-ha-ha" - is history. "It's just over and done with. It's old. It's the past. It's history. I'm onto something new. Everybody got their licks in - those who wanted to - and it's done," she says. Jackson credits her boyfriend, 33-year-old music producer Jermaine Dupri , for giving her self-esteem "a little boost." "I came to realize that younger men had less of a problem with who I am than older men," she says. "With the younger guys, there was less ego. Things were less competitive. They weren't threatened by who made more and who made less." She says that with Dupri, she feels as if she's met her match. "When I look at Jermaine, I see myself," Jackson says. "I feel as if I'm looking in the mirror. The connection I feel with him I have never felt with anybody else." Her new album, "20 Y.O.," is slated for release Sept. 26. Dupri produced a few tracks, and longtime collaborators Jimmy "Jam" Harris and Terry Lewis pitched in on the disc as well. The pop star recently said she had packed on extra weight for a role in the upcoming movie "Tennessee," which she ultimately had to pass on because of her new record. When asked if she'd rather have a hit album or win an Oscar, she says: "Win an Oscar. It's just a passion. But can't I have both? Everybody in my family says I'm spoiled anyway. I want both."

Just listen 2 the song...it explains it all. If i remember correctly, i think it has the TDH posse listed in the He's The DJ... or And In This Corner... cassette/CD insert.

Ahhhh, okay. I apprciate this a lil' bit more.

It's just the name they gave their crew. JJ+FP brought their best friends along with them when they got big. They gave them jobs and 2 this day their are still 2gether. If u go 2 Jazzy's website and check the pictures...there's one with all of them. The pic is 2 or 3 years old. J.L. is FP's business potna for alot fo the things he does. Charlie Mack is well...Charlie Mack, and Omar had a big part in L+F. Ready Rock C of course fell out of the circle, but he waz obviously their beatbox, dancer/hypeman, and co-songwriter. Unlike alot of rap crews that are a bunch of friends...these guys go way back and actually are good at their jobs. They all have a purpose.

JURASSIC 5 - Radio Feedback (2006) This may be the best Hip-Hop album dropped this year. All the real heads looking 4 quality music should give this album a listen!!

I havn't had access 2 my computer...so i'm a lil' late...but Happy B-day!!

Break dancing is one of the hardest kinds of dancin'...i've seen him on the shoot of music videos and other places doing interviews were he jokes about his limited dancing abilities and how the wonders of video ending help him out.

Uhhh....i think wack rapper #1 is everything that wrong with with commerical rap...but what's the story tying him to being a snitch? Unless there's a story behind it, i don't see it as funny!?

Oh lawd!!