J. Wells

Last updated
J. Wells
Birth nameJon Wells [1]
Also known asJ Roc
Born1983 (age 4041)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Origin Los Angeles, California
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • rapper
  • record executive
  • businessman
Years active 1999–present
Labels
Website http://bonzirecords.com

Jon Wells (born 1983) is an American record producer, record executive, and rapper. He is a member of the Likwit Crew. [2]

Contents

Biography

Wells was born and raised in Chicago but moved to California, then later to Atlanta, Georgia when he was young. He took the alias "J Roc" when he began rapping in local clubs. A high school friend introduced him to K-Boogs, Young and DJ7 with whom he later formed the group Rocswell, as well as a production company under the same name - Rocswell Entertainment. [3] The group recorded its first album Chilahyork in 1997 which sold 5,000 copies. A second album, Tha Classiks, was released in 1999 and sold 8,000 copies.

In 2000 Wells began producing a Dallas-based hip hop group called Virus and they briefly signed with Warner Brothers in 2001, before being dropped from the label. As a result, the group's first album Outbreak was never released and shelved indefinitely.

In 2001 Wells was invited to join the group Likwit Crew, which includes: Xzibit, Tha Alkaholiks, (E-Swift, J Ro, Tash), King Tee, Lootpack, Phil Da Agony, and Defari, who in 2002 toured with Snoop Dogg's Puff Puff Pass tour, where he met Kurupt from the Dogg Pound (with whom he later formed a duo and released an album). He went on to work on the Wolfpac's Roger Troutman Project and put together his own Wolf Pac Mix tape Volume One which featured artists such as James Debarge, Kurupt, Tha Alkaholiks, Shyheim and Sunz of Man. It sold 25,000 copies.

In 2005, after creative differences with Wolfpac Records, Wells launched another record label, Bonzi Records, before releasing his debut album, Digital Master which featured: Bishop Lamont, Method Man, Mitchy Slick, Goodie Mob, Tha Liks, Jayo Felony, Kurupt, Roscoe, and Planet Asia. The same year Wells produced the Goodie Mob single, "Play Yo Flutes", featuring Sleepy Brown

Wells produced Work It Out on Keyshia Cole's album Just like You in 2007. He also produced songs for Snoop Dogg's EP and animated DVD The Adventures of The Blue Carpet Treatment , as well as music used on TV shows such as, The Sopranos and Six Feet Under , and for the film Be Cool directed by F. Gary Gray.

His songs are also feature in the video games: EA Sports 2004 Tiger Woods Golf, and EA Sports 2006 Fight Night , as well as commercials for major corporations including McDonald's, Smirnoff, Starbucks, and Coors Light. He released his collaboration album with Kurupt, Digital Smoke under his own label Bonzi Records / Fontana Distribution.

He went on to release Digital Master Vol. 2.1 in 2009 which featured: Snoop Dogg, Estelle, Rah Digga, WC, Mack 10, and Da Brat. The single "Already Famous" featuring Da Brat and Kurupt was released on Bonzi Records in March 2009. The video was released without Da Brat due to her incarceration in the Georgia state prison. In 2016 Wells formed rap group Stylz & Wells with Likwit Crew member Styliztik Jones the duo released a music video for lead single "Involved" in August 2017. The duo announced signing a label deal with Capitol Records's Priority Records in October 2017. The duo released their first single on S & W Recordings / Priority Records entitled "Involved" via Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, and other online retailers on November 8, 2017. [4] [5] [6] [7]

Establishing Bonzi Records

Bonzi Records is an American record label founded by Wells. Fontana Distribution is the distributor for Bonzi. In 2005 after leaving Wolfpac Records, Wells established Bonzi Records and began to release a series of rap music compilations to establish the new brand. In 2006 the label went on to sign a distribution deal with Fontana Distribution, and in 2007 released a Kurupt collaboration album Digital Smoke. In 2010 Bonzi began ushering in more acts through a joint venture deal with Ingrooves. Through the venture Wells worked as executive producer for D. Woods of Danity Kane, Kokane, Ray J, Sir Michael Rocks of The Cool Kids, Ruff Ryders, Dope House Records, King Chip, and Lil' Scrappy. In 2012 Bonzi Records in partnership with Ingrooves released Lil Scrappy's The Grustle . [8] [9]

Productions discography

[12] [13] [14] [15]

Discography

Filmography

Commercials music composed by

[16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]

Related Research Articles

Robin Yvette Allen, known professionally as the Lady of Rage, is an American rapper, singer and actress best known for her collaborations with several other Death Row Records artists, including Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on the seminal albums, The Chronic and Doggystyle. The Lady of Rage has been described as "one of the most skillful female MCs" with a "mastery of flow" and "hard-core lyrics".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tha Dogg Pound</span> American hip hop duo

Tha Dogg Pound is an American hip hop duo made up of West Coast rappers Kurupt and Daz Dillinger. They were signed to Death Row Records in their early careers and were key to the label's success.

Priest Joseph Brooks, is a hip hop producer and rapper from Long Beach, California. He is a member of the DPGC.

Dejuan Walker, better known by his stage name Suga Free, is an American rapper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fredwreck</span> Musical artist

Farid Karam Nassar, better known by his stage name Fredwreck, is a Grammy Award-winning American hip hop recording artist, DJ and record producer. He got his big break when he became a producer for Dr. Dre's newly founded record label Aftermath Entertainment, and then went on to work with Snoop Dogg's record label Dogghouse Records and became a known producer on Tha Dogg Pound-affiliated material. During this time he also was a producer for Snoop Doggs track: Riders on the storm Ft The Doors on EA's Need for Speed Underground 2. He has produced tracks from Kurupt's Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha and most of his next release, Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey; both released during the period the rapper had left Death Row Records. He has also produced for other hip-hop and pop artists such as Eminem, Britney Spears, Ice Cube, Westside Connection, Lil' Kim, Hilary Duff, Xzibit, The Game, Nate Dogg, Everlast, Cypress Hill, 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, as well as non-US acts such as Dizzie Rascal, Tamer Hosny, Qusai Kheder and Karl Wolf.

Tracy Lamar Davis, better known as Big Tray Deee or simply Tray Deee, is an American rapper. He is a member of rap group Tha Eastsidaz, as well as the Diirty OGz.

<i>Bigg Snoop Dogg Presents... Welcome to tha Chuuch: Da Album</i>

Bigg Snoop Dogg Presents... Welcome to tha Chuuch: Da Album is a compilation album by Snoop Dogg and various artists. It was released on December 13, 2005 by Doggy Style Records and Koch Records. The "Save Tookie" version of the single "Real Soon", by the DPGC featuring Jamie Foxx, was available to download for free on Doggystyle Records website. It features the reunited Tha Dogg Pound and the comeback for The Lady of Rage.

This article shows all releases by Doggystyle Records, split by year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kokane</span> American rapper

Jerry Buddy Long Jr., better known by his stage name Kokane, is an American rapper and singer best known for his distinctive vocal style and numerous guest appearances, such as on Snoop Dogg's Tha Last Meal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurupt</span> American rapper (born 1972)

Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, better known by his stage name Kurupt, is an American rapper and record producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he formed Tha Dogg Pound in 1992 along with Daz Dillinger; the rap duo has released eight albums. He also formed the hip hop group The Hrsmn in 1996, with whom he has released two albums. His debut solo album, Kuruption! (1998) was released by A&M Records and peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Next Episode</span> 2000 single by Dr. Dre

"The Next Episode" is a single by American rapper-producer Dr. Dre, released in 2000 as the third single from his second studio album, 2001 (1999). The track features Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, and Nate Dogg, but only Snoop Dogg is credited. It is a sequel to Dre and Snoop's famous single "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" from the former's debut album, The Chronic.

<i>Dillinger & Young Gotti</i> 2001 studio album by DPG

Dillinger & Young Gotti is the second studio album by American hip hop group Tha Dogg Pound. It was released independently on May 1, 2001, through D.P.G. Recordz. Production was handled by member Daz Dillinger, who also served as executive producer, Mike Dean and Blaqthoven. It features guest appearances from Beanie Sigel, RBX, Roscoe, Slip Capone and Xzibit.

David Brown Williams, better known by his stage name Roscoe, is an American rapper.

Danny Elliott Means II, better known by his stage name Butch Cassidy, is an American singer from Long Beach, California. He has worked with numerous West Coast hip hop musicians, including Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, Ice Cube, Xzibit, Warren G, Mack-10, Tray Deee, E-40, WC, DJ Quik, DJ Battlecat, Tha Eastsidaz and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Dogg discography</span>

The discography of American recording artist Nate Dogg consists of three studio albums, one compilation album, one collaboration album, 5 singles as the main artist, and 35 singles as a featured artist.

<i>Digital Smoke</i> 2007 studio album by J. Wells and Kurupt

Digital Smoke is a collaborative album by American rapper and record producer J. Wells and fellow rapper Kurupt. It was released on June 5, 2007 through Bonzi Records. Recording sessions took place at Bonzi Studios and Purple Reign Studios. Production was handled by J. Wells himself, except for one track produced by Blaqthoven, with Chanz Parkman, Ervin "EP" Pope and Craig King serving as co-producers. It features guest appearances from Y.A., Gail Gotti, Goodie Mob, James DeBarge, Knoc-turn'al, Kokane, Styliztik Jones, Butch Cassidy and Tha Alkaholiks. There is a music video for the song "All We Smoke" featuring cameo appearances by Bishop Lamont, 40 Glocc and Glasses Malone.

Vernon Johnson, professionally known by his stage name Tha Chill, is an American rapper and record producer. He embarked on his music career in the early 1990s, as a co-founder of the Compton-based West Coast hip hop/gangsta rap group Compton's Most Wanted, along with frontman Aaron "MC Eiht" Tyler. During his childhood, Johnson dropped out of high school and hooked up with neighbourhood friend MC Eiht, to form the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurupt discography</span>

American rapper Kurupt has released six studio albums, three compilation albums, one EP and seven singles. Since his debut in 1998 he has released through a number of labels, Including Antra, Death Row and Universal. He is a close associate of Daz Dillinger, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.

The following is a list of songs produced by Battlecat, a hip-hop producer from Los Angeles. Battlecat has produced music albums since 1990, including work for Xzibit, Faith Evans, Snoop Dogg and The Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chilly Chill</span> American hip hop producer

Derrick Baker, also known as Chilly Chill, is an American hip hop music producer who has worked for Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, Rick James, RBX, Ike Turner, Public Enemy, Kurupt, Jewel, Yo-Yo, WC, Korn, 7th Veil, Kool Keith, Da Lench Mob, Lupe Fiasco, Bun B, and more.

References

  1. "ASCAP ACE - Search Results". Archived from the original on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2008-12-03.
  2. "New Members". Playback Magazine. ASCAP. Fall 2004. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  3. Cover of second record Tha Classiks, 2001, printed in the US
  4. JWELLS PRESENTS: THE WOLFPAC MIXTAPE VOLUME 1 | RAPINDUSTRY.COM FEATURE
  5. Nima (February 2008). "Exclusive interview with J. Wells". DubCNN Magazine. DubCNN. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  6. Baker, Soren (February 2009). "About J. Wells". Source Magazine. The Source.
  7. Robinson, James. "Virus..." Wolfpac Records. Archived from the original on 2004-03-02. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
  8. BET.com - Lil Scrappy - Atlanta, Georgia - Hip Hop / R&B / Pop - http://www.bet.com
  9. - D Woods - http://ifelicious.com
  10. Be Cool (2005) - Soundtracks
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqIcR-tbp8A&ab_channel=SomeThingCaliII
  12. ProdBy // The Net #1 Source for Hip-Hop Productions and Discographies Archived 2008-05-31 at the Wayback Machine
  13. dubcnn.com // West Coast News Network //
  14. Canibus - For Whom The Beat Tolls
  15. // Vibe Magazine //
  16. MySpace.com - Bonzi!! - Likwit Atlanta, Georgia - Hip Hop / R&B / Pop - www.myspace.com/digitalmastermusic Archived 2007-11-17 at the Wayback Machine
  17. HTC's ‘Miami Bass Project’ launches in Germany
  18. www.youtube.com www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNSLTwPobFE
  19. www.hiphopdx.com https://hiphopdx.com/videos/id.26182/title.dxclusive-stylz-n-wells-hit-the-scene-with-involved-video-featuring-symphony-green
  20. www.allmusic.com https://www.allmusic.com/album/involved-mw0003123419
  21. www.allmusic.com https://www.allmusic.com/artist/j-wells-mn0000776961/credits