Today we are kicking it with an R and B crooner from Harlem. As a matter of fact we first heard him on a few of Tha Advocate's records like "Maybe U Should Kill Me", "The N.E.W Pt 2", and 9678 (to name a few).
In 2009 we started hearing his music on a bunch of the Digital Dynasty mixtapes. You heard records like Top Down, Streets Of Harlem (featuring Killah Priest) and most recently heard Missing Me (Featuring Tha Advocate) on DDRNB1 Hosted by Mike Bivins. Now as 2011 approaches J.D. is getting ready to drop his debut album, "Story Of My Life".
This album ranges from various concepts and often crosses the boundaries between adult comtemporary RnB and even some new school club records. Enough of the intro .. lets get in this interview..
You have a soulfoul voice. Hearing you on 9678 and then re-singing the Maxwell record was a great example of a musical diversity. Where does JD feel more at home ..on the hooks of hiphop records or singing ballads? Well, I grew up on gospel , R&B , and soul music. I like a lot of artists from the 60’s and 70’s (Al Green, Marvin Gaye, and Teddy Pendergrass). I also was a fan of the Temptations and four tops as well. Then Hip Hop came along and everybody wanted to rhyme (including me) so I guess I am just a fan of all music. I am most at home singing the songs that I write because with each song there is an emotion attached that only I know about.
Who were your influences to get into music? Well, like I said Marvin, Teddy P., Tempt and Tops, Al Green and Barry White.
When did you start in the music business? One of my first projects way back with Dice sound productions was actually Kid Rock's first album (Grits and Sandwiches for Breakfast), it was a hip hop album and I helped my boy Dice produce and mix two tracks. "On The Upside" and "Pimp Of the Nation". But way before then I was spittin rhymes with my brother Ding and our Dj Dice.
Is it true you had a rooftop battle back in the day with Jay Z and Jaz-o? Actually it was at Broadway International on 147st between bway and Amsterdam ave. This was just as Rooftop was getting big. Jay z was the Dj for Jazz back then. And I must give it to em, Jazz was nice back then. There were a lot of people in that battle. Jay z & Jazz, Danna Dane, The C Connection, Just Ice, Davy Dmx, and a few others. It was one hell of a Mc Contest.
On "Story Of My Life" you have a song called "Missing Me". It is a cocky way to say goodbye .. instead of missing her .. you are bragging that in due time she will be missing you ... what made you want to flip it like that? I just got tired of that same old song about how she caught her man cheating and he was sorry. Truth is women cheat as much as men, they just keep it to themselves. Men tend to wanna brag which will get back eventually.
Are you disapointed in RnB nower days or impressed with it? I think RnB has its moments of light, but most of the time it seems to need help from hip hop. Very seldom do we see a true RnB hit that can stand on its own. I would like to see more stand alone RnB hits and ballads. Boyz to Men Did RnB justice as far as stand alone hit go.
We heard the club record you did called "Shake Your Hips" on DD4 (Hosted by Chamillionaire). What made you want to write a record like that? Once Advo sent me the track I was challenged by it. How do u get an RnB artist to write a club track? So I took a look at an average club night. There is always that one guy and girl tearing up the dance floor and making others wanna get up and get moving. Well that was me and my crew back in the day. So I put my life experience on paper to the track and we came up wit "Shake Your Hips".
When you release this album what is your long time goal for it? As I said before I am a true fan of music. I would love to make millions off it, But if I just get people to hear it and like what I do I will be happy.
How do you feel about singers using Auto tune to get by? I tried it once on "Shake Your Hips", but I’m not a big fan of it. I see a lot of people using it and it has its place I’m sure, but true talent will trump a machine anyday!
Can you give us a sneak peak and tell us about some of the records on "Story Of My Life"? Well you know about "Shake Your Hips", and "Streets of Harlem". I have the title track , "Story of My Life", and quite a few others. Cant give it all away (laughs).
Out of all the music you ever recorded ..which is your favorite track ..and why? "Taking My Love Away" by far. When I write a song it comes from the heart, I am actually writing what I feel at that time. This track features a female artist with a great voice named TreJae from Pennsylvania, and just gives a look into how a lot of relationships end.
Name 1 song you've done that will have the Hiphop.org viewers hooked? Wow, I think "Streets of Harlem" or "Taking My Love Away" one is more Hip Hop and The Other is more RnB.
Thanks for hollering at us and in closing give any shoutouts..links to your websites ... let us know where we can check you on the web..give us any F.U.'S or whatevers clever? Shouts to My Biggest fans Snowie, Jonai and Chyna my kids, Advo for bringing me back into the lab and support, Jeff Burna my engineer, My brothers Ding , Anthony and Terrence for having my back at all times, Tiny, Blayze, Killah Priest, CoDizzle, and Big Rome.
Today we are kicking it with an R and B crooner from Harlem. As a matter of fact we first heard him on a few of Tha Advocate's records like "Maybe U Should Kill Me", "The N.E.W Pt 2", and 9678 (to name a few). 
Subscribe to this comment's feed
