Olaf Jeglitza

Last updated
Olaf Jeglitza
Ojay2006.jpg
O-Jay in 2006
Background information
Also known asO-Jay
Born (1965-02-15) 15 February 1965 (age 60)
West-Berlin, Germany
Occupations
  • Songwriter
  • Producer
  • Content creator
  • Photographer
  • Performer
  • Vocal artist
Years active1984present
Labels
  • Jay Beat Recordings
  • Freshline Records
  • Move Music
  • Blue point Records
  • P5
  • blue pm
  • Triumph Musik
  • Phears Music
  • MRYFLD
  • RLMCCY Entertainment
Member of Real McCoy

Olaf Jeglitza (born 15 February 1965), known professionally as O-Jay, [1] is a German rapper best known as the frontman of the '90s Eurodance and pop music project Real McCoy (also known as M.C. Sar & the Real McCoy).

Contents

Early life

Jeglitza was born in West Berlin in 1965. After finishing school, he studied at the Lette-Verein, a technical college for photography in Schöneberg. At age 18, he started working as an independent photographer. After two years, he was hired by an advertising agency as an assistant photographer and became their head of the photo department a year later.

Music career

1984–88

In the mid-1980s, Olaf Jeglitza was a key figure in the early Berlin hip-hop scene. In 1984, Jeglitza started working with the Berlin-based DJ and musician Frank “Quickmix” Hassas (Richie) and co-founded the collective Freshline, which was built on multiple pillars: a regularly published fanzine (Freshbeat Magazin), a cassette-based radio show (Freshline Radio Show), as well as event organization and live performances under the name of their group Masterplan. Masterplan consisted of Olaf Jeglitza (O.J. The Mighty Crash), Richie (DJ Quickmix), and the third member Aram Mouchegh (The A). The aim of Freshline was to establish an independent Berlin-based hip-hop culture inspired by American models. In this context, they also planned the creation of their own hip-hop label named Freshline.

The activities of Freshline were thoroughly documented in a two-page article in the Berlin city magazine tip (Issue 2/1987), which states: “The two [O.J. and Richie] are true enthusiasts and built up the Freshline organization.” – tip Berlin, Issue 2/87 [2] In the same spirit, Jeglitza and Richie also founded the Imperial Nation Germany, an alliance of hip-hop activists in Berlin modeled after the Zulu Nation from New York.

In 1988, Jeglitza and Hassas together with DJ Careem Da Dream (Karim Zouaui) formed a new project called the Alliance. The first single release, "Action!" was released on their own label Freshline Records. The label sold approximately 20,000 units with the help of their distribution partner 99 Records. This first 12" was followed by more releases, leading them to a first label deal with Rough Trade Records. While "Action!" and the second release "Come into My Life – Rap Version" (The Admirers) ended up being re-released by ZYX Records, the first album of the Alliance (It's Time…) and a couple of other products were released by Rough Trade.

1988–95

1988 saw the birth of the group M.C. Sar & the Real McCoy, in connection with a production request by Reinhard Piel (head of A&R at ZYX Records) for a cover version of the Technotronic hit "Pump up the Jam". The following year, the group signed a new label deal with ZYX Records and made further releases by M.C. Sar & the Real McCoy, such as the song "It's on You". They also created a number of other productions, projects and remixes. Around 1992, the label had financial problems and O-Jay started to work part-time as a photographer again.

In 1993, M.C. Sar & the Real McCoy signed a new deal with the German BMG/Hansa label. The first single, "Another Night" was only a minor hit in Europe, barely making it into the top 100 in several European countries. With the help of Vincent DeGiorgio, the song reached number one in Canada [3] and the act was signed to Arista Records [4] in the U.S. thanks to Arista CEO Clive Davis.

With the upcoming release of "Another Night" in the U.S., the decision was made to change the name M.C. Sar & the Real McCoy, to simply Real McCoy. The single "Another Night" reached number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it had a 40-week run inside the top 40. The single was certified platinum (1,000,000 copies sold), [5] and became the best-selling single by a German artist in the American market. "Run Away", the follow-up single, entered the top 40 of the Hot 100 Singles chart on 11 March 1995, eventually also reaching number three, and being certified gold (500,000 copies sold) in the US and over 1,500,000 copies sold around the world. The album Another Night was released by Arista in the US on 28 March 1995, and the group won several awards around the world. However, despite what some sources mention, there was no Grammy nomination involved.

1999–present

In 1999, after the unexpected death of his father, Jeglitza focused on the production of other artists. In 2000, he founded the production service, Blue PM Productions.

In 2001, he produced the German boy band B3 in collaboration with the Berman Brothers and the German-based production company Maxi-Media. This was followed by several other top 20 and top 10 productions.

In 2003, they produced and wrote the hit "Ab in den Süden" performed by their artist Buddy. [6] Shortly after, O-Jay had a heart attack but made a full recovery.

As of 2006, Jeglitza has been working for several national and international labels as a producer, songwriter, publisher, and A&R adviser.

Jeglitza represented Poland, with Ich Troje, in the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest. [7]

In 2007, his new label Phears Music was launched, and the Real McCoy single "People Are Still Having Sex", a cover of the song by William David LaTour, was released. [8]

In 2009, Jeglitza performed in Canada (July 2009, Z103.5 Summer Rush Halifax and Toronto concerts) [9] and Austria (August 2009, DJ BoBo and Friends concert) [10] [11] as part of the current Real McCoy formation.

Discography

Album appearances

ArtistAlbumDateCredit
The AllianceIt's Time...1988Producer / songwriter / artist / executive producer [12]
MC Sar & the Real McCoyOn the Move!1990Songwriter / artist
MC Sar & the Real McCoySpace Invaders1993Songwriter / artist
Real McCoy Another Night 1994Songwriter / artist
Real McCoyThe Remix Album1996Songwriter / artist
Real McCoy One More Time 1997Producer / songwriter / artist
B3First2001Producer
Yvonne CatterfeldMeine Welt2002Producer / songwriter
BuddyBuddy Music2003Producer / songwriter
B3N.Y.C.B32003Producer
SheloProducer
Rod Michael2003Producer
Kim Styles2003Producer
D!Nation2003Producer

Single appearances

ArtistTitleDateCredit
MasterplanWe Wanna Be Stars1987Producer / songwriter / artist [13]
Captain Hollywood & B.P.M.Tribute / JayBee1988Songwriter / Artist
The AllianceAction!1988Songwriter / Artist
The AdmirersCome Into My Life - Rap1988Artist
The AllianceAction! - Remix1988Songwriter / Artist
The AdmirersCome Into My Life - Rap (Re-Release)1988Artist
The AllianceAction! - Remix (Re-Release)1988Songwriter / Artist
D.J. ChrizzHui Buh1989Producer
The AllianceSweat1989Songwriter / Artist
EMCEEWe're Cruisin´1989Songwriter / Artist
The AdmirersTonite1989Songwriter / Artist
The All-StarsHello Babe1989Producer / Artist
Michael L. WilliamsThat Feelin´1989Producer
Quickmix feat. La RoseLove Is In The House1989Producer / Songwriter / feat. Artist
The DeepCurtain1989Producer
Berlin AdlerTouchdown1989Songwriter
Rap IV RapKeep On Movin´Rap1989Artist
M.C. Sar & The Real McCoyPump Up The Jam Rap1989Artist
Rap IV RapLet's Come Together1990Songwriter / Artist
MasterplanStars1990Songwriter / Artist
M.C. Sar & The Real McCoyIt's On You1990Songwriter / Artist
M.C. Sar & The Real McCoyIt's On You - Remix1990Songwriter / Artist
The AdmirersGot To Get Rap1990Songwriter / Artist
M.C. Sar & The Real McCoyIt's On You - The Re-Remix1990Songwriter / Artist
The AdmirersOut On A Limb1990Artist
M.C. Sar & The Real McCoy feat. SundayDon't Stop1990Songwriter / Artist
M.C. Sar & The Real McCoyIt's On You - UK-Remix1990Songwriter / Artist
PatsyDreamin´1990Songwriter / feat. Artist
Sugar DaddyAre You Ready ?1990Songwriter
Jam Tronik "Another Day in Paradise (Remix)"1990Remixer / feat. Artist
Jay RapperWake Up1991Songwriter / Artist
M.C. Sar & The Real McCoyMake A Move!1991Songwriter / Artist
Rap IV RapHold you tight - Rap1991Songwriter / Artist
PRO-ATrance1991Songwriter / Artist
M.C. Sar & The Real McCoyNo Showbo1991Artist
ConstructionOh girl !1991Producer
Hype-a-delicsSo what !1991Songwriter / feat. Artist
Lucky NinetiesOhh la la la1991Songwriter / Artist
M.C. SarLet's Talk About Love1992Songwriter / Artist
Cold as Ice feat. Eboni¡ Urgent !1992Producer
ConstructionSex Is Like Fire1992Producer / Songwriter
Kirk SmithRise & Shine1992Producer
M.C. Sar & The Real McCoyAnother Night1993Songwriter / Artist
M.C.Sar & The Real McCoyAutomatic lover (Call for love)1994Songwriter / Artist
M.C.Sar & The Real McCoyAutomatic lover (Call for love) Remixes1994Songwriter / Artist
M.C.Sar & The Real McCoyRun Away1994Songwriter / Artist
Real McCoy Automatic lover (Call for love)1995Songwriter / Artist
Real McCoy Love And Devotion1995Songwriter / Artist
Real McCoy Come And Get Your Love1995Songwriter / Artist
Real McCoy Sleeping With an Angel/Ooh Boy 1995Artist
Real McCoy Operator (Canadian Edition, Promo)1995Songwriter / Artist
TronikMagic Fly1996Producer
Real McCoy One More Time 1997Songwriter / Artist
Real McCoy I Wanna Come (With You)1997Songwriter / Artist
TrojaTiefer1998Producer
GaneshaJiggy Love1998Producer
Juize ClubDenise1998Producer
TrojaTräume1998Producer / Songwriter
Admirers feat. Killer and AymanCome Into My Life1998Producer / Songwriter
SavannahI´ll Be There1998Producer / Songwriter / Artist
M.C. Sar vs. D.J. DeePump Up The Jam - Rap 981998Producer / Songwriter / Artist
Real McCoy It's On You1999Producer / Songwriter / Artist
KillerBring It On1999Producer
Der NachbarKnall-Erbsen-Strauch (Die Antwort)1999Producer / Songwriter / Artist
Real McCoy Hey Now1999Producer / Songwriter / Artist
Fev-ZeeHadi Bir Bak2000Producer
Gangsta BoogieErnst oder Spass2000Producer
o-jay.comNite to remember2000Producer / Songwriter / Artist
Blockwart P.Fett & Brutal2000Producer
Blockwart P.Schwarze Witwe2000Producer
Oli. P & Jan van der ToornGirl you know it's true2001Producer
HusamBitte Bitte2001Producer
DiskobitchRock da beat2001Producer / Songwriter
BuddyAb in den Süden2001Producer / Songwriter
Marie PicassoTell the world2001Remixer
B3You win again2001Producer
CatterfeldKomm zurück zu mir2001Producer / Songwriter
Right Said FredMojive2001Producer / Remixer
ATCI´m in heaven2001Remixer
Roland KaiserIch geh´mit Dir wohin Du willst2001Remixer
MartaYeah, Yeah, Yeah2002Remixer
Right Said FredStand Up (For The Champions)2002Remixer
AcryliteWhat Is It ?2002Songwriter
B3I.O.I.O.2002Producer
Kim StylesEvery 1's A Winner2002Producer / feat. Artist
Buddy vs. D.J. The WaveAb in den Süden2003Producer / Songwriter
DüseNackig2003Producer
Buddy vs. D.J. The WaveAb in den Süden Remixes2003Producer / Songwriter
BuddyAb Auf Die Piste2003Producer / Songwriter
BuddyWattn Ding / Dicka gehts nich2004Producer / Songwriter
BuddyGott sei Dank (Wochenende)2004Producer / Songwriter
AlexanderSunshine after the rain2004Producer / Remixer
Daniel KüblböckThe lion sleeps tonight2004Producer
Urbi & Orbi feat. BuddyWir sind Papst!2005Producer
BuddyMama Mallorca2005Producer / Songwriter

References

  1. Info is on the enhanced CD of "One More Time"
  2. Billy Hardbuck: Berlin – How It HIPs and HOPs. In: tip Berlin, Issue 2/1987, pp. 10–11. Available online (scan, accessed April 12, 2025).
  3. "Another Night" charting in Canada
  4. 25th Anniversary of Arista Records Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Another Night" worldwide sales
  6. "Buddy (2)". Discogs .
  7. Ich Troje featuring Real McCoy at the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest
  8. Real McCoy "People Are Still Having Sex" CD-single
  9. Z103.5 Toronto Summer Rush Archived 2010-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
  10. Facebook event invite by DJ Bobo
  11. Pictures of Real McCoy at DJ BoBo and Friends concert - August 1, 2009
  12. Discogs: The Alliance - It‘s time...
  13. Discogs: Masterplan - We wanna be stars