JMJ Records

Last updated
JMJ Records
JMJ Records logo.jpg
Parent company Rush Associated Labels
Founded1985;39 years ago (1985)
Founder
Defunct2002
StatusDefunct
Distributor(s) Sony Music, PolyGram
Genre Hip hop, new jack swing, R&B, rap rock
Country of origin United States
Location New York City, New York, U.S.

JMJ Records was an American record label which was founded in 1985 by Jason Mizell, better known as Jam Master Jay from Run-D.M.C. The label was relaunched in 2017 by Jam Master J'Son, the oldest son of Jam Master Jay. The label released such artists as The Afros, Fam-Lee, Onyx, Jayo Felony, Suga and 50 Cent. The label closed in 2002 after the murder of its founder. Throughout the duration of its existence, JMJ Records has released 6 studio albums and about 25 singles.

Contents

History

JMJ Records was founded in 1985 by Jason Mizell, better known as Jam Master Jay from Run-D.M.C. The label was distributed by Sony Music and PolyGram. [1] The label folded in 2002 after the murder of its founder in his own recording studio 24/7 Studios, in Jamaica, Queens on October 30, 2002. [2]

The first label artist was The Afros, which consisted of Kool Tee (Tadone Hill), DJ Kippy-O (Kip Morgan) and Beastie Boys' DJ Hurricane (Wendell Fite). The group name stands for "A Funky Rhythmic Organization Of Sounds". Their single "Feel It" was the first single released on the label in 1990. The group's debut and only album, Kickin' Afrolistics, was released on JMJ Records on August 14, 1990. All music on the album was produced by David Reeves, better known as Davy DMX, and Jason Mizell. [3] The material for the second album was recorded, but it was never released. The group also took a part in the recording of the song "Pause" by Run-D.M.C, which was originally released on the "Ghostbusters" single in 1989.

In 1991, Jay signed Fam-Lee, which included four brothers by the name of: Berkley, Anthony, Keef and Coree Pearyer from Plainfield, New Jersey. Their late uncle, Glen Goins, was a member of the Bootsy's Rubber Band and P-Funk. [4] In 1991, four singles were released, which included videos: "You're The One For Me", "Love Me", "Always On My Mind" and "Runs In The Fam-Lee". [5] The single "Runs In The Fam-Lee" also features a remix that was produced by the producer of Onyx, Chyskillz. In 1992, Fam-Lee released on JMJ Records their debut album Runs In The Fam-Lee. The group recorded songs in the popular at that time new jack swing style and performed songs mainly about love. Jam Master Jay produced almost all of their songs. [6]

In 1993, JMJ Records scored a success with Onyx, [7] whose debut album Bacdafucup went Platinum in the same year, [8] thanks to their popular single "Slam", which became a hip hop anthem, [9] and also awarded Platinum in the same year. [10]

In 1994, Jay signed gangsta rapper Jayo Felony from San Diego, California. The result of this deal was the debut album Take a Ride , released in 1995. [11]

In 1995, JMJ signed female rapper Suga (a.k.a. Sweet Tee), whose single, "What's Up Star?", was included on the soundtrack for The Show . [12]

In 1996, Jay took under his wing a young Curtis Jackson, whom he allowed to use the professional equipment in a recording studio and gave him the first real opportunities for performances in front of an audience. [13] In 1997, Jackson released on JMJ Records debut single "The Glow / The Hit" under the name Fifty-Cent. [14] In 1998, Fifty took a part in the recording of the song "React" for the third album of Onyx, Shut 'Em Down . Jay produced debut album for Fifty Cent, which he had planned to release under JMJ. However, after a frustrating writing process and several production delays, the album was postponed and never saw the light of day. To date, there are very few remnants of 50 Cent's early work with Jam Master Jay. However, Jay's mentorship helped Fifty get the close attention of several executive producers from Columbia Records, who appreciated his talent and signed to their label in 1999. [15]

In 2017, JMJ Records was re-opened by Jam Master Jay's son, Jason Mizell Jr., also known as Jam Master J'Son & partner Richy718. [16]

Former artists

Discography

Albums

Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Onyx (hip-hop group)</span> American hip hop group

Onyx is an American hardcore hip hop group from New York City, formed in 1988 by Fredro Starr, Suavé and the late Big DS. Sticky Fingaz joined the group in 1991.

<i>Bacdafucup</i> 1993 studio album by Onyx

Bacdafucup is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Onyx, released on March 30, 1993, by JMJ Records, Rush Associated Labels and Chaos Recordings. The album was produced by Randy Allen, Chyskillz, Jam Master Jay and Kool Tee.

<i>All We Got Iz Us</i> 1995 studio album by Onyx

All We Got Iz Us is the second studio album by American hip hop group Onyx, released on October 24, 1995, by JMJ Records and Rush Associated Labels. The album was produced by Onyx. The album features guest appearances from rap group All City and rapper from Queens, Panama P.I.

Fred Lee Scruggs Jr., better known by his stage name Fredro Starr, is an American rapper and actor best known as a member of the hardcore rap group Onyx. Fredro Starr was discovered by the late hip hop star Jam Master Jay of Run-D.M.C. who signed Onyx on his label JMJ Records. Onyx went on to release three top selling albums before Fredro began his solo career. As a part of Onyx, Fredro Starr was nominated as "Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist" on American Music Awards of 1994 and won "Best Rap Album" on 1994 Soul Train Music Awards.

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

Kirk Jones, better known by his stage name Sticky Fingaz, is an American rapper, record producer and actor best known as a member of multi-platinum hardcore rap group Onyx.

Wendell Timothy Fite, also known as DJ Hurricane is an American hip hop DJ, producer and rapper. He is best known for his work with the Beastie Boys. He was a member of the groups Solo Sounds and The Afros and recorded three solo albums, featuring many well-known artists such as Xzibit, Public Enemy, Kool G Rap, Black Thought, Papoose and Talib Kweli.

<i>Crown Royal</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Run-D.M.C.

Crown Royal is the seventh and final studio album by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C., released on April 3, 2001, by Arista Records. It is the group's only album with a Parental Advisory label, though previous Run-D.M.C albums, such as 1986’s Raising Hell, had included explicit lyrics. All songs except the title track featured guest artists, including Fred Durst, Stephan Jenkins, Sugar Ray, Everlast, Kid Rock, Nas, Prodigy, Fat Joe and Method Man.

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

B. James Savage, better known by his stage name Jayo Felony, is an American rapper from San Diego, California.

<i>Down with the King</i> (album) 1993 studio album by Run-D.M.C.

Down with the King is the sixth studio album by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C., released on May 4, 1993, by Profile Records. The album was produced by Run-D.M.C., Pete Rock, Q-Tip, EPMD, KayGee of Naughty by Nature, Jam Master Jay, the Bomb Squad, Daniel Shulman, Chyskills, Jermaine Dupri and Clifton "Specialist" Dillon.

<i>Back from Hell</i> 1990 studio album by Run-D.M.C.

Back from Hell is the fifth studio album by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C., released on October 16, 1990, by Profile Records. The album was produced by the group members.

Tyrone Taylor, better known by his stage name Sonny Seeza, or previously as Suavé and Sonsee, is an American rapper, record producer, DJ and actor best known as a member of multi-platinum hardcore rap group Onyx.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big DS</span> American rapper and record producer

Marlon G. Fletcher, better known under his stage name Big DS, was an American rapper and record producer from Queens, New York.

<i>Take a Ride</i> 1995 studio album by Jayo Felony

Take a Ride is the debut album by San Diego–based American rapper Jayo Felony. It was released on October 24, 1995, via Jam Master Jay's JMJ Records label and distributed by Rush Associated Labels, a PolyGram circulation of Def Jam Recordings. Audio production of the sixteen-track record was handled by Tony "T-Funk" Pearyer, Prodagee Productions, Marlin Wiggins, Randy Allen and Jam Master Jay, who also served as executive producers. The album peaked at number 65 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jam Master Jay</span> American hip hop musician (1965–2002)

Jason William Mizell, better known by his stage name Jam Master Jay, was an American musician and DJ. He was the DJ of the influential hip hop group Run-DMC. During the 1980s, Run-DMC became one of the biggest hip hop groups and are credited with breaking hip hop into mainstream music. Mizell was murdered in his Queens, New York recording studio in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Throw Ya Gunz</span> 1992 single by Onyx

"Throw Ya Gunz" is the first single by American hip hop group Onyx from their debut album, Bacdafucup. It was released on November 27, 1992, by JMJ, Rush Associated Labels and Chaos Recordings. Produced by Jam Master Jay, Chylow Parker, and Randy Allen, "Throw Ya Gunz" was a success and made it to four Billboard charts, including number 1 on the Hot Rap Singles for two weeks. The song achieved even greater success in the UK, where it peaked at number 34 on the UK Top 40 in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slam (Onyx song)</span> 1993 single by Onyx

"Slam" is a song by American hip hop group Onyx. It was released on May 11, 1993 by JMJ Records and Rush Associated Labels as the second single from Onyx's debut album, Bacdafucup. The song introduced slamdancing into hip-hop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shifftee</span> 1993 single by Onyx

"Shifftee" is a song by American hip hop group Onyx. It was released on August 30, 1993 by JMJ Records, Rush Associated Labels and Chaos Recordings as the third single from Onyx's debut album, Bacdafucup. The song was about being grimy and having that echo into a myriad of life situations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run-DMC</span> American hip hop group

Run-DMC was an American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens, New York City, formed in 1983 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Run-DMC is regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture and especially one of the most famous hip hop acts of the 1980s. Along with Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, and Public Enemy, the group pioneered new-school hip hop music and helped usher in the golden age of hip hop. The group was among the first to highlight the importance of the MC and DJ relationship.

Jason William MizellJr., better known by his stage name DJJam Master J'Son, is an American musician, music producer, and Disc Jockey (DJ). He is the oldest son of deceased Run DMC DJ Jam Master Jay. He is currently the official DJ of his father's hip hop group Run–D.M.C.

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

Chylow Parker, known by the stage name Chyskillz, was an American record producer, DJ, musician, rapper and a member of multi-platinum hardcore rap group Onyx.

References

  1. ↑ "Billboard Magazine - June 27, 1992". books.google.com. 27 June 1992. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  2. ↑ "JAM MASTER JAY, RUN-DMC DJ, KILLED IN SHOOTING". mtv.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2014. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
  3. ↑ "The Afros – Kickin' Afrolistics (1990)". discogs.com. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  4. ↑ "Billboard Magazine - January 11, 1992" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  5. ↑ "Fam-Lee". amusicrareobscure.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 2019-01-20. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  6. ↑ "Fam-Lee – Runs In The Fam-Lee (1992)". discogs.com. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  7. ↑ "Rap's New Faces (Gavin Report) June 25, 1993" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  8. ↑ "Onyx - Bacdafucup by RIAA - Platinum - October 25, 1993". riaa.com. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  9. ↑ "Billboard Magazine - November 4, 1995" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  10. ↑ "Onyx - Slam by RIAA - Platinum - August 10, 1993". riaa.com. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  11. ↑ "Jayo Felony – Take A Ride (1995)". discogs.com. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  12. ↑ "Billboard Magazine - September 2, 1995" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  13. ↑ "Vibe Magazine (July 2007) - A History Of Violence - In 1996 Jay signed Curtis to his JMJ Records - страница 100" . Retrieved 2018-01-19.[ permanent dead link ]
  14. ↑ "Fifty-Cent – The Glow". discogs.com. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
  15. ↑ Green, Matt. "Celebrity Biographies - The Amazing Life Of Curtis James Jackson III (50 Cent) - Famous Stars (by Matt Green) - страница 7" . Retrieved 2018-01-19.
  16. ↑ "JMJ Records Relaunches On The 15 Year Anniversary Of Jam Master". triplehq.com. Archived from the original on 2019-01-20. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
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