Jneiro Jarel

Jneiro Jarel
Background information
Birth name	O. Jarel Gilyard
Also known as	Dr. Who Dat? Panama Black Rocque Wun Mel Owens Capital Peoples
Origin	United States
Genres	Experimental Music Pop music Hip hop Wonky (music) Brazilian Music Electronic Alternative rock Acid Jazz
Occupations	Producer, Rapper, DJ, Multi-Instrumentalist
Years active	1989 – Present
Labels	Label Who Lex Records Kindred Spirits
Associated acts	Shape of Broad Minds, Willie Isz, Khujo Goodie, DOOM, Count Bass D
Website	Official Website = Official MySpace Page

Jneiro Jarel (born O. Jarel Gilyard) is a United States-based music producer. For over a decade he has provided listeners with an eclectic mix of sounds ranging from hip hop, to electronica, to electro-pop, to Brazilian funk, to bass music. Noted for his abstract style, he is also known for his beat-making alias Dr. Who Dat? and his group Shape of Broad Minds who've shared the stage with artists ranging from Jay-Z to Radiohead. He has collaborated with artists such as Damon Albarn (as DRC Music), Khujo Goodie (as Willie Isz), MF DOOM, Massive Attack, TV on the Radio, and David Andrew Sitek, among others.

Early Life and career

Jneiro Jarel was Born in Brooklyn, New York, spending the first few years of his life in the Brownsville neighborhood. His family would later relocate from Brooklyn to Atlanta when he was five years old. Being that his mother was in the military, Jarel lived in a number of places (Georgia, Maryland, Arizona, etc.), before finally touching down in Houston, TX in 1983.

The Houston years 1983–1998

In 1989 Jarel, his cousin Tarek Gibbs, and best friend Anton Bennett formed a group called Top Gauge Posse, later changing the name to Aliens From the Planet Brooklyn (APB). The trio went by the monikers MC Jarel G, Just Chill, and KCL and quickly landed gigs with established artists like, Hi Five, YZ and Special Ed.

In the early 1990s APB disbanded and Jarel (now going by Gwizzo) started a new collective called The Ozarkians (aka The OZ's, pronounced Oh-zees), which included many of his friends, as well as former APB members Tarek Gibbs (now Seveno 007) and Anton Bennett (now Quipto). Other members included brother and sister Michael Thomas (Kwezzo) and Candis Thomas (Kyzzo), Dashaunda Baldwin (Dizzo), Greg Alix (Cereo), and a few others.

In 1992 Jarel formed the spin off group The Pslum Kedz (pronounced The Slum Kids) (aka Rhythmic Crew). This group consisted of Jarel (now going by both Gwizzo and Phish Bone), Anton Bennett (now going by Egg head), Michael Thomas (now Alley Cat), Greg Alix (Aahtue), and Nahuma Holiday (Nahuma). Initially more of an emcee, Jarel eventually became the primary producer for the group in '93. Although the group was doing shows and even performing with prominent acts such as The Pharcyde, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, and The Geto Boys, various circumstances caused them to disband. The most significant being the incarceration of Anton Bennett, who's been in prison for over a decade. This was especially difficult for Jarel and caused him to take a "spiritual hiatus" to reevaluate his life.

The New York years 1998–2004

After The Pslum Kedz' breakup, Jarel decided to move back to New York in 1998. Upon his return he officially changed his name to 'Jneiro Jarel' and quickly became a fixture in Okayplayer's "Black Lily" gigs at The Wetlands and Butterfly Cafe. In 2000 he started his own label Orienj Recordings (now Label Who), releasing his first EP as a solo artist, Section A.^[1] Public Enemy producer Hank Shocklee of The Bomb Squad later discovered JJ through MP3.com and instantly had him opening up for Julie Dexter, Lord Finesse and others. It was during this time that JJ honed his production skills and started to build a buzz behind the board. In 2003 he signed to indie label Kindred Spirits. Later that year he was the sole representative from New York to participate and perform at Red Bull Music Academy in Cape Town, South Africa .

The Philly years 2004–2009

2004 saw Jarel relocating once again; this time to Phillidelphia. Through his success in the indie-music scene he was able to work with some of the city's most influential hip-hop artists Rich Medina and King Britt. He also began to develop himself more as a producer, collaborating with Jazzanova, Count Bass D, Dego, Lizz Fields, Tiombe Lockhart, Fertile Ground, & Vinia Mojica. From 2004 on forward Jarel has released a number of albums; Timeless Vol. 1 (Label Who,2004), Three Piece Puzzle (Kindred Spirits / Label Who, 2004, which also re-released a U.S. version in collaboration with Rope-a-Dope). In 2006 he signed a new deal with Lex Records and shortly thereafter released Beat Journey and later Beyond 2morrow, under the alias Dr. Who Dat? Eventually Jarel linked with old time friend Jawwaad to feature him in the fictitious group Shape of Broad Minds', later releasing the album Craft of the Lost Art ( Lex Records / Label Who,2007). Following Craft... was Amazonica (2001–2004) with his fictitious group Capital Peoples (Label Who 2009), and Georgiavania with his Atlanta based, space crunk group Willie Isz in 2009.

The Los Angeles years 2009-Present

Jneiro Jarel's music has been cited as having been a major influence on a, relatively new, genre that has so many complexities it's difficult to define. Having been dubbed as Wonky (music), this progressive, futuristic sound fuses hip hop with electronica, and has gained traction and popularity in recent years on the Low End Theory/Brainfeeder scene. Though Jneiro's sound is often being described as "experimental" and "psychedelic", he simply calls it "The Viberian Experience", where various musical styles and influences have beautifully coalesced to become something all its own. The sound is ever changing because Jneiro himself is constantly evolving. Add the extra element of a deliberate attempt to weave visual art into his work and one could easily call this "conceptual music". This artistic approach has garnered him respect and adoration among fans and peers alike (as noted on Pitchfork.com), and has served as a conduit for notable creative ventures with labels such as Lex Records and ""Kindred Spirits"".

2010 found Jneiro with two releases; Android Love Mayhem EP (released April 13, 2010 on Label Who) and the Brazilian beat project Fauna (released September 30, 2010 on Kindred Spirits / Label Who).

Discography

Albums

As Jneiro Jarel

• Timeless Vol. 1 (2004) Label Who
• Three Piece Puzzle (2004) Kindred Spirits/Label Who
• Android Love Mayhem (2010) Label Who
• Beyond 2morrow - Re-release (2010) Label Who
• Fauna (2010) Kindred Spirits/Label Who

As Dr. Who Dat?

• Beat Journey (2006) Lex
• Rhyme Cycle EP (2006) Lex
• Beyond 2morrow (2009) Lex

As Capital Peoples

• Amazonica (2001 - 2004) (2009) Label Who

With Shape of Broad Minds

• The Blue Experience EP (2007) Lex
• Craft of the Lost Art (2007) Lex

With Willie Isz

• Georgiavania (2009), Lex

EPs

• Dr Who Dat? - Rhyme Cycle (2006) Lex
• Shape of Broad Minds - Blue Experience (2007) Lex
• Jneiro Jarel - Android Love Mayhem (2010) Label Who

Singles/ 7"

• Jneiro Jarel - Big Bounce Theory/ Quantum Leap (2005) Kindred Spirits
• Amazonica / See Them Cry ft. Cilla K 7" (2010) Kindred Spirits/Label Who

Production

Note: excluding Jneiro Jarel project releases

• Stacy Epps - Ruff Drafts Volume 1 (CDr, Ltd) Rhyme Cycle (Ageless Daisy) (2006)
• John Robinson - The Experiment (2008) Fat City
• John Robinson - Vocal Overload (2008) Fat City

Remix Production

• Maximum Balloon - Groove Me (feat. Theophilus London) (Jneiro Jarel Remix) (2010) Interscope
• Arthur Verocai – “Balada 45″ (Like A Brazilian Girl Remix) (2010) Mochilla
• Bjork - My Juvenile (Jneiro Jarel's Minimal Animal Remix) (2009)
• Massive Attack - Atlas Air (Jneiro Jarel's Lavender Jungle Remix) (2009)
• Maxwell-Pretty WIngs (Jneiro Jarel's Willie Isz Remix) (2009)
• DOOM -Gazzilion Ear (Dr Who Dat? Remix) (2009) Lex
• DOOM -Gazzilion Ear (Jneiro Jarel feat Dave Sitek Remix) (2009) Lex
• Steven Wilson -Harmony Korine (David A. Sitek and Jneiro Jarel Magnetized Nebula Mix) (2009) Kscope
• TV On The Radio - Shout Me Out Remix (2009) Interscope
• Fertile Ground - Remixes 01 (12") Yellow Daisies (Jneiro Jarel Remix) (2005) P-Vine Records
• Champion Souls -Holdin' On (Dr Who Dat? Remix By Jneiro Jarel) (2005) Sunshine Enterprise
• Build An Ark -Vibes From The Tribe (12", EP) Vibes From The Tribe (2005) Plug Research
• Sonar Kollektiv 4 - (CD) Crush On You (Dr. Who Dat? Remix) (2005) Sonar Kollektiv
• Sweet City - (12") Crush On You (Dr. Who Dat? Remix) (2005) Sonar Kollektiv
• Recloose - Dust (Remixes) (12") Dust (Rocque Wun Mix) (2005) Kindred Spirits
• Vassy - My Affection (CD) My Affection Fly Music (Australia) (2005) Warner Music (Australia)

Co-production

• Rich Medina - Connecting The Dots (2xLP) Choklit Ninja Kindred Spirits 2005

Mix

Note: excluding Jneiro Jarel project releases

• Rich Medina - Steppin' Again / Mindgames (Sneaky Pete Edit) (2004) Blue Note, Ropeadope Records

DJ Mixes

• Houston We Got A Solution (File, MP3) (2005)
• Someday Afternoon (File, MP3) (2005)
• Andrew Meza's BTS Radio (File, MP3) (2007)
• Return of The Shoegaze (File, MP3) (2008)

Appears On

• Kid Sublime - Basement Soul (CD) Lookin' At Me (2005) Kindred Spirits
• Breakthrough - Breakthrough (CD) Not Tomorrow But, No Game (2005) Pantone
• Rich Medina - Connecting The Dots (2xLP) Blues Baby (2005) Kindred Spirits
• Rich Medina -Connecting The Dots (2xLP) Choklit Ninja (2005) Kindred Spirits
• Rich Medina - Connecting The Dots (2xLP) Weight (2005) Kindred Spirits
• King Britt Presents Jazzmental (CD) Chea Chea (2005) Slip 'n' Slide
• Ohmega Watts - Watts Happening (2xCD, Album) Eyes And Ears (2007) Ubiquity Records

Compilations

• Soul Purpose Is To Move You: Kindred Spirits Collection (CD) Sun Walkers, Eeee Love... (2004) P-Vine Records
• Witness Future Vintage (Vol. 1) (CD, Comp) Sun Walkers, Doinis!! (2004) Kindred Spirits
• Habitat Collection: Fireside (2xCD) Lookin' At Me (2005) Kinkysweet Recordings
• Rush Hour Mixed Series Vol.01 - Red Knows (CD) Soul Starr, Big Bounce Theory (2005) Rush Hour Recordings
• Undercover Cuts 21 (CD, Enh, Promo) Doinis!! (2005) Undercover Mag
• Jimmy Woo One (CD, Dig) Lookin' At Me (2006) United Recordings
• Witness Future Vintage (Vol. 2) (CD, Comp) Big Bounce Theory Part 2 (2007) Kindred Spirits
• Shape of Broad Minds - Picante Unique Uncut Records (2007)

References

1. ^ Brown, Marisa. "Biography: Jneiro Jarel". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p743137. Retrieved 28 July 2010. 

External links

• Dr. Who Dat? - at Lex Records
• Jneiro Jarel aka Dr Who Dat? - Twitter
• Jneiro Jarel aka Dr Who Dat? - Official Facebook Fan Page
• Jneiro Jarel/Dr. Who Dat? - MySpace
• Shape of Broad Minds - MySpace
• Jneiro Jarel at Discogs
• Jneiro Jarel on Andrew Meza's BTS Radio

Persondata
Name	Jarel, Jneiro
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