J-Zone

J-Zone is a rapper, producer, DJ and CEO of Old Maid Entertainment. He lives in Queens, New York. J-Zone has enjoyed a large following of underground hip hop aficionados and a sizable European fan base, which continues to grow.

At a young age, he developed and honed his musical abilities by listening to records and playing bass guitar. He later learned the basics of production under the tutelage of DJ Vance Wright (Slick Rick's DJ) in 1994. In 1999, he released his college senior project, "Music for Tu Madre", garnering critical acclaim in the hip hop underground, but it was not enough to propel him into the mainstream spotlight. He has since released four albums, a group album with longtime collaborator Celph Titled and many remix, instrumental and limited edition projects. He has also worked with and produced beats for artists such as Biz Markie, Devin The Dude, Masta Ace, King T, Celph Titled, Gnarls Barkley, Pete Rock, Large Professor, Prince Paul, Esham, Cage, Danger Mouse, High and Mighty, Sadat X, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Casual, R.A. the Rugged Man, Tame 1, MF Grimm, and Tha Liks.

J-Zone's music could be described as somewhat unconventional. He typically uses lots of offbeat samples and attention to detail. While generally praised for his comedic storytelling, clever punch lines, acerbic wit, and stellar production work, some critics have claimed that his music is crude, juvenile, and misogynistic. He has recently shifted his focus away from rapping to concentrate full time on production, DJing, his Gator$-n-Fur$ mixshow podcast, TV Commercials and behind the scenes work. J-Zone also serves as an adjunct Professor at the State University of New York and is a freelance sports journalist. He covers New York High School basketball and does NBA Blogging as a regular contributor for SLAM Magazine and slamonline.com as well as France-based Reverse Magazine.

J-Zone has sizable following in the UK due to collaborations with UK Hip-Hop artists Jehst and the Diversion Tactics.

[http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t237/zoneloc12/munich.jpg]

Discography

Albums

*"Music for Tu Madre" - 1999
*"A Bottle of Whup Ass EP" - 2000
*"Pimps Don't Pay Taxes" - 2001
*"$ick of Bein' Rich" - 2003
*"A Job Ain't Nuthin' But Work" - 2004
*"To Love A Hooker: The Motion Picture Soundtrack (Instrumental)" - 2006

Other Projects and Guest Appearances

*"Ghetto Pop Life" - 2003
*"Gimme Dat Beat Fool: The J-Zone Remix Project" - 2005
*"J-Zone & Celph Titled are The Bo$$ Hog Barbarian$ - Every Hog Has Its Day" - 2006
*"J-Zone & Celph Titled are The Bo$$ Hog Barbarian$ - The Hogs Sing the Hits EP" - 2006
*"Experienced EP - 2006
*"The Analog Catalog:2001-2007" (iTunes only)- 2007
*"J-Zone Remixes Vol. 1: Hi-Top Fade Not Included" - 2008
*"J-Zone Presents...Chief Chinchilla: Live @ The Liqua Sto" - 2008

Production Credits

*1995 - Preacher Earl - Fool I Got You Back
*2001 - High & Mighty - Artillery
*2002 - Tame One - Tame As It Ever Was, Slick Talkin & Heat
*2002 - Al-Shid - Ignant b/w Fight Club ("12 single)
*2002 - Cage - Stoney Lodge
*2002 - H.U.G. - F**kin Wit Hug b/w Rebel Radio ("12 single)
*2002 - Al-Shid - The Big Hit b/w M.A.T.H ("12 single)
*2003 - Wordsworth - Not Me
*2003 - MF Grimm - Taken b/w Dancing ("12 single)
*2003 - Cage - Too Much (Remix)
*2003 - Biz Markie - Chinese Food
*2004 - Akinyele - Ak-Nel & In The Zone
*2004 - R.A. the Rugged Man - Brawl
*2004 - Leak Bros. - G.O.D.
*2004 - 7L & Esoteric - Neverending Saga
*2004 - Prince Po - Its Going Down & Meet Me At The Bar
*2005 - Access Immortal - Monday Night Raw
*2005 - Casual - Say That Then & Hieroller
*2005 - Copywrite - Happy Hour
*2006 - Sadat X - X Is A Machine
*2006 - Outerspace - Altered Beasts
*2006 - The Juggaknots - Crazy 8's
*2007 - A-Plus - What's Hannin'
*2008 - Mighty Joseph - Rock-It Science
*2008 - Akrobatik - Absolute Value
*2008 - Del tha Funkee Homosapien - Funkyhomosapien

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/jzoneoldmaid J-Zone's official myspace page]
* [http://www.zonesite.net/ Official Site]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwCJQFXWgQ0/ Stealth Magazine J-Zone video interview 2000]
* [http://www.platform8470.com/artists/ai_jzone.asp Interview]
* [http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2006_06_experienced.html Experienced Review]
* [http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2006_05_everyhog.html Bo$$ Hog Barbarian$ Review]
* [http://halftimeonline.com/sickwidit/j-zone/ Interview Source: Halftimeonline.com]