Jus Allah

Last updated

Jus Allah
Jedimindtricks (cropped).jpg
Background information
Birth nameJames Bostick
Also known as
  • The Black Man
  • Megatraum
  • The Ominous
  • The Goat
  • King Justine
[ citation needed ]
Born (1978-06-30) June 30, 1978 (age 46)
Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Years active1993–present
Labels

James Bostick (born June 30, 1978), better known by his stage name Jus Allah, is an American rapper from Camden, New Jersey. He is best known for being a former member of Philadelphia-based hip hop groups Jedi Mind Tricks (JMT) and Army of the Pharaohs (AOTP).

Contents

He was involved in JMT since the early days but left before the recording of their first album The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness , only to rejoin the group a couple years later. He made his official debut on Jedi Mind Tricks' second album, Violent by Design , in 2000.

Jus Allah is known for his aggressive lyrics and Afrocentric subject matter, frequently making references to Five Percenters. He often used a multi-syllabic rhyming technique in Violent by Design and his debut solo album, All Fates Have Changed . In later years he switched his delivery to a more aggressive, deeper and raspier style, most noticeable in JMT albums such as A History of Violence and Violence Begets Violence . Jus Allah's involvement in Jedi Mind Tricks has sometimes been tense, resulting in him leaving and rejoining the band several times.

Career

1993–2000: Early days, Jedi Mind Tricks

Jus Allah collaborated with Jedi Mind Tricks as early as 1994, under the Soulcraft moniker and the Onesoul Productions banner. Due to this, he is revered as a co-founding member of the group. The earliest known recorded song with JMT is "Skinny Paz vs Vinnie Paz", which is collected as one of the Soulcraft bonus tracks on the 2003 Babygrande reissue of JMT's The Psycho-Social CD. However, Jus took some time away from music in the mid-1990s to attend college, which is largely the reason for his disappearance on the first JMT LP and the formation of their indie label, Superegular Recordings.

The year 2000 saw what the release of the classic Jedi Mind Tricks album Violent by Design , regarded by many JMT fans as featuring Jus Allah's best work. As the unofficial third member of the group, Jus Allah rapped on almost every track with frontman Vinnie Paz, often trading verses organically with one another. During this era, the three JMT members all had different aliases: "Ikon the Hologram" (Paz), "Megatraum" (Jus), and "The Enemy of Mankind" (Stoupe). All but Stoupe later dropped these aliases.

2001–2006: Leaving Jedi Mind Tricks, All Fates Have Changed

Shortly after the release of Violent by Design, Jus left the group amid uncertainty over JMT's new association with Babygrande Records. He then went on to start his solo career at rapper Virtuoso's label, Omnipotent Records. In 2005, after releasing a single ("White Nightmare"/"G-O-D") and being part of Omnipotent's lineup for Era of the Titans, Vol. 1, Jus left the label and subsequently joined Babygrande, re-associating himself with JMT. It was on this label he recorded his first solo album, All Fates Have Changed, which included the single and B-side from his previous label as bonus tracks. The biggest collaboration of his solo career was featured on this album, with GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan lending a guest verse to "Pool of Blood." However, due to a dispute with label CEO Chuck Wilson over the album, Jus quit the label and left before completing it, at the same time disassociating any newfound JMT connection, and leaving the label to release the album on its own. Jus later stated in interviews that he had never given his approval for the album to be released, and was unsatisfied with the production. This marks the end of the rapper's "Megatraum" era.

In early 2006, an album called Necronomicon was released featuring both Jus and Boston rapper Bomshot as hip-hop duo The Devil'z Rejects. Jus stated that he had absolutely nothing to do with the album, and that he was not being paid for it. The new verses on the album were most likely old, unreleased recordings from his prior label Omnipotent Records, where Bomshot was also an artist. At some point after The Devil'z Rejects was proven to be a sham, Jus released a mixtape entitled, Bomshot is a Faggot, featuring multiple rare songs and remixes.

2006–2013: Reunion with Jedi Mind Tricks

In 2006, Jus reunited with his former group Jedi Mind Tricks and released their first collaborative track in five years, titled "The Rebuilding", as an exclusive, online-only MySpace download. In an interview conducted in September 2007 on the Art of Rhyme website, Jus Allah announced that he had rejoined Jedi Mind Tricks, saying he was "cool with Vinnie [Paz] again." He added that he had rejoined Babygrande, and that he had put the "All Fates Have Changed" fiasco behind him. [1]

Following his re-induction into the group as an official member, Jus was added to the Army of the Pharaohs' lineup in 2007, solidifying a spot on their second studio album, Ritual of Battle. In 2008, Jedi Mind Tricks, now reunited with the original three-member lineup of Stoupe, Vinnie Paz, and Jus Allah, released their sixth album A History of Violence. Following Enemy Soil's creative streak, AOTP released their third album, The Unholy Terror, which featured Jus. Finally, while selecting beats for the next JMT album, Paz & Jus became frustrated with what they described as Stoupe's lack of participation and focus on his side projects, and decided to release 2011's Violence Begets Violence without his involvement. Outside production was handled mostly by newcomer C-Lance, whom Paz had hired to the label after hearing his talent from a beat CD. This was to be the last Enemy Soil project that featured Jus Allah.

2013–present: Departure from Enemy Soil, MMA, Diabolic

In 2013, Jus Allah left Jedi Mind Tricks again, as well as leaving the Army of the Pharaohs. The reason for his departure has not been disclosed, but is rumored to be beefs with in-house producer C-Lance and Heavy Metal Kings' affiliate Slaine, as well as tensions between Jus and Paz over the struggles.

M.M.A. (Meanest Man Alive) was originally announced to be released November 26, 2013. However, on November 25, 2013, Jus Allah tweeted that the album was pushed back again. With his departure from Jedi Mind Tricks and Army of the Pharaohs, this meant that ties with Enemy Soil had been severed, thus leaving him unsigned.

On August 14, 2015, the album cover, track list and pre-order for M.M.A. (Meanest Man Alive) were published on Jus Allah's Tumblr and it was released on September 4, 2015. [2] The album received mixed to negative reviews: one critic panned its violent content, writing that "some of it is uncomfortable to listen to unless you’re a genuine serial killer who's open to advice from a hardcore rapper," comparing Jus Allah to Necro "with worse beats and slightly better flow." [3] Another described the album as "a mixed bag containing some interesting lyrics but no memorable choruses, and despite flashes of brilliance, the overall LP is average." [4]

In 2019, Jus Allah released a diss track targeting battle rapper Diabolic. [5] Diabolic then responded with a diss track of his own. Entitled "Carlton Banks (Jus Allah RIP)", the track accuses Jus of domestic violence, rapping about crime he wouldn't commit in real life, and being unable to write a chorus in his songs. [6]

On October 31, 2022, Jus Allah released a six-track album, Forces at Play, featuring D.V Alias Khryst and Mic King. It received a positive review from Insomniac Magazine, which wrote that "the vet emcee unleashes supreme lyricism over hard hitting audio aesthetics on this impactful platter." [7]

Influences

Jus Allah has cited EPMD and A Tribe Called Quest as among his favorite groups, saying they inspired him to become involved in hip-hop. He also said the Wu-Tang Clan's aggressive delivery influenced his style. [8]

Discography

Solo albums

Compilation albums

Group albums

Appears on

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jedi Mind Tricks</span> American hip hop group

Jedi Mind Tricks (JMT) are an American underground hip hop group from Philadelphia, founded in 1996 by two high school friends, rapper Vinnie Paz and producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. In 1999, rapper Jus Allah joined the group to record their second studio album, Violent by Design. Jus left the group shortly after, but returned in late 2006 and began working on the sixth studio album, A History of Violence. In 2011 Stoupe left the group because "his heart wasn't in making JMT records anymore". In 2013, Jus split from the group indefinitely, and Stoupe returned in 2015.

Babygrande Records is an American independent record label based in New York City, founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by The Orchard and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Army of the Pharaohs</span> American hip hop group

Army of the Pharaohs is an American underground hip hop collective originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed by Jedi Mind Tricks founder Vinnie Paz in 1998. The collective has strong links to other underground east coast groups such as OuterSpace, Snowgoons, La Coka Nostra, Demigodz, 7L & Esoteric, and JuJu Mob. AOTP's affiliations and member roster has changed several times since its formation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OuterSpace</span> American underground hip hop duo

OuterSpace is an underground hip hop duo from North Philadelphia. Originally a trio consisting of three Puerto Rican friends that then took the artist names Planetary, Jedeye and Crypt the Warchild. The founding member Mario Collazo (Planetary) was then attending 10th grade, while the other two, Richard Cruz (Jedeye) and Marcus Albaladejo, were in 8th grade.

<i>Violent by Design</i> 2000 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

Violent by Design is the second album by underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Despite never reaching any Billboard album chart, the album sold 50,000 copies in its first week on shelves. The album was originally released on JMT's self-run Superegular Records on October 3, 2000. JMT's previous label, Babygrande Records, re-released the album on May 25, 2004. The original vinyl release featured twenty tracks, while the original CD release featured two extra tracks: the "Heavenly Divine Remix", originally released on the B-Side to JMT's "Heavenly Divine" single, and "War Ensemble", originally released as the B-Side of the Army of the Pharaohs Five Perfect Exertions EP. Babygrande's Deluxe Edition featured three more bonus tracks: "Untitled", "Retaliation Remix" and "Blood Runs Cold", the latter two originally featured on the "Retaliation" single. The Deluxe Edition also included a bonus DVD, featuring a video scrapbook from their Visions of Gandhi tour, and the music video for the group's 1997 track "I Who Have Nothing".

<i>Visions of Gandhi</i> 2003 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

Visions of Gandhi is the third studio album from underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, and their first album on the Babygrande record label. Jus Allah split from the group after the release of their album Violent by Design (2000), returning the group back to its original lineup of Vinnie Paz, Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind and DJ Drew Dollars. Producer Stoupe expands his dark sounds, including beats with grand orchestral samples and Latin-tinged production. Vinnie Paz lessens his lyrical topics to focus on his thug persona. Album guests include Canibus, Kool G Rap, Percee P, Ras Kass, and Tragedy Khadafi, as well as underground peers Crypt the Warchild, Planetary of OuterSpace, and Non Phixion members Ill Bill, Sabac Red, and Goretex.

<i>The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness</i> 1997 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness is the debut album of underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, consisting of rapper Vinnie Paz and producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. The original version of the album was released in 1997, limited to 1,000 copies on vinyl by Superegular Records, and was re-released on CD in 2003 on Babygrande Records with six bonus tracks, featuring songs recorded by the group before their debut release. It has been a common misconception that the vinyl version was re-issued in 2001, possibly because the back of the vinyl release says "2001 Superegular." The album’s often esoteric lyrics focus on conspiracy theories, astronomy, religion, and violence, themes that JMT would expand on in later albums. The album was inspired by a lot of "crazy books" mentioned by Vinnie Paz in an interview, and is named after one of those books, a 1,900-page tome entitled "Matrix III - The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electromagnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness,” by Valdamar Valerian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind</span> American record producer

Kevin Baldwin, better known by his stage name Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind or simply Stoupe, is an American hip hop producer, DJ, and member of the underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. Stoupe has worked with only a limited number of artists outside of Jedi Mind Tricks, including 7L & Esoteric, Canibus, Virtuoso, Guru of Gang Starr and Switch.

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

Vincenzo Luviner, better known as Vinnie Paz, is an Italian-born American rapper and producer behind the Philadelphia underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. He is also the frontman of the hip hop collective Army of the Pharaohs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crypt the Warchild</span> American rapper

Marcus Albaladejo, better known by his stage name Crypt the Warchild, is an underground rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Albaladejo is one half of the rap duo OuterSpace and is a member of Army of the Pharaohs. Crypt the Warchild is the older brother of rapper King Syze, who is also a member of Army of the Pharaohs.

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

David Albaladejo is an underground rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Puerto Rican descent. He is a member of the underground hip hop supergroup Army of the Pharaohs (AOTP), having featured on all their studio albums. He is known for his frequent collaboration with AOTP members; OuterSpace. Outside of rap, Albaladejo works as a member of a trade union which has inspired the names of many of his studio albums.

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

Mario Collazo, better known by his stage name Planetary, is an American underground rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is one half of the rap duo OuterSpace and a member of Army of the Pharaohs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavenly Divine</span> 1999 single by Jedi Mind Tricks

"Heavenly Divine" is a single by American hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released in mid-1999 through the group's self-run label Superegular Recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genghis Khan (Jedi Mind Tricks song)</span> 2000 single by Jedi Mind Tricks

"Genghis Khan" is a single by hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. The original press, distributed through JMT's Superegular Recordings, was released as a promo in early 2000. The group's second and former label, Babygrande Records, re-released the single in 2003 with wider distribution. The track is named after 13th century Mongol leader Genghis Khan. The song contains a sample from "Downloading", a symphonic composition by Harald Kloser, taken from the film The Thirteenth Floor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Retaliation (song)</span> 2001 song performed by Jedi Mind Tricks

"Retaliation" is a single by Hip Hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, the third released from their second album Violent by Design, following "Heavenly Divine" and "Genghis Khan". Released in 2001, the single was the group's last release on self-run Superegular Recordings. The following year, the group migrated to Babygrande Records. "Retaliation" contains a musical sample from "El Rio Y Las Rosas" by Rosita Peru, a vocal sample from "Cross My Heart" by Killah Priest, and a vocal sample from "Money in the bank" by Kool G. Rap. The single also contains the edited "Retaliation (Remix)", and the B-Side track "Blood Runs Cold", featuring Heltah Skeltah's Sean Price, both originally only available on this single. Babygrande Records re-released Violent by Design in 2004, including both "Retaliation (Remix)" and "Blood Runs Cold" as bonus tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kublai Khan (song)</span> 2003 single by Jedi Mind Tricks

"Kublai Khan" is a single by hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks, released in 2003 through Babygrande Records. The song was the second single released from the duo's third album Visions of Gandhi, following "Animal Rap", and followed by "Rise of the Machines". "Kublai Khan" is a sequel to the group's 2000 single "Genghis Khan", this time, named after Genghis' grandson Kublai Khan. The song, like "Genghis Khan", features an intense symphonic sample, courtesy of group producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. New York City rapper Tragedy Khadafi, who appeared on "Genghis", also appears on the track. Former JMT member Jus Allah, who split from the group in 2001, is replaced by Goretex, of the group Non Phixion.

<i>A History of Violence</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

A History of Violence is the sixth studio album by Philadelphia hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released on November 11, 2008 on Babygrande Records. The album followed multiple summer releases from the Jedi Mind Tricks camp, including the group's first DVD, titled Divine Fire: The Story of Jedi Mind Tricks, and the Vinnie Paz-executive produced projects Jedi Mind Tricks presents Doap Nixon: Sour Diesel, Jedi Mind Tricks presents King Syze: The Labor Union, and Jedi Mind Tricks presents OuterSpace: God's Fury. The album's first single Monolith was released on October 2, 2008. Their second single Godflesh was released on their website and it featured King Magnetic and Block McCloud. The album features former Jedi Mind Tricks member Jus Allah's return to the group.

<i>Violence Begets Violence</i> 2011 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

Violence Begets Violence is the seventh studio album by underground Philadelphia hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks. This is their only album to not feature production from Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind because "his heart wasn't into making JMT records anymore" as well as the fact that both Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah grew tired of waiting. Two singles were released, "Target Practice" and "When Crows Descend Upon You," for which a video has been made. In addition, Shuko remixed the song "Target Practice".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavy Metal Kings (song)</span> Single by Jedi Mind Tricks featuring Ill Bill

"Heavy Metal Kings" is a song by American underground hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks featuring a guest verse from fellow New York-based rapper Ill Bill. It was released in 2006 through Babygrande Records as the lead single from the group's fifth studio album Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell.

<i>The Thief and the Fallen</i> 2015 studio album by Jedi Mind Tricks

The Thief and the Fallen is the eighth studio album by American Philadelphia-based underground hip hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks. It was released on June 2, 2015 through Enemy Soil Entertainment. Production was handled entirely by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, who had left the band before their 2011 album Violence Begets Violence. It features guest appearances from Yes Alexander, Eamon, A-F-R-O, Dilated Peoples, Lawrence Arnell, R.A. the Rugged Man and Thea Alana. The album peaked at number 105 on the Billboard 200, at number 11 on both Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Independent Albums charts, at number 10 on both Top Rap Albums and Tastemakers charts, and at number one on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States.

References

  1. ↑ "Jus Allah Interview". Art of Rhyme. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. ↑ http://jusallahmma.tumblr.com/post/126714851472/cans-thoughts-converted-danger-180º-psycho [ dead link ]
  3. ↑ Jones, Grant. "Jus Allah :: MMA". RapReviews. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  4. ↑ "What Went Right With… MMA (Meanest Man Alive) by Jus Allah?". The What Went Right With Archive. October 23, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Grease (Diabolic Diss)" (video). youtube.com. May 12, 2020.
  6. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Diabolic - Carlton Banks (Jus Allah RIP) Prod. By Evil Genius". YouTube .
  7. ↑ Raze (November 2, 2022). "Jus Allah drops "Forces At Play" EP". Insomniac Magazine. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Jus Allah of Jedi Mind Tricks talks Music, Industry, and Hip Hop". Insomniac Magazine. October 30, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
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