Jaz-O: Difference between revisions

| name = Jaz-O

| image = Jaz-O--mika.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = BurksJaz-O in 2000

| birth_name = Jonathan Allen Burks

| alias = {{hlist|The Jaz|Big Jaz}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|10|04}}

| birth_place = [[Brooklyn]], [[New York City]], U.S.

| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter|record producer}}

| years_active = 1986–present

| label = {{hlist|[[Roc Nation|Equity]]|Kingz Kounty Media|[[Roc Nation]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Shawn Grant|url=http://thesource.com/2019/07/10/jay-z-jaz-o-roc-nation-deal/|title=Jay-Z Signs Jaz-O To Roc Nation Deal|publisher=[[The Source]]|date=2019-07-10|access-date=2019-09-03}}</ref>|[[EMI America Records|EMI USA]]|Rancore}}

| origin =

| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]

| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[Jay-Z|High Potent]]|[[Kingz Kounty|The Immobilarie]]}}

'''Jonathan Allen Burks Sr.'''<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://open.spotify.com/track/2voYBh2j5pE6DgCtmpN4wD|title=Here We Go! Song and lyrics by Jaz-O|website=[[Spotify]] }}</ref> (born October 4, 1964), better known by his stage name '''Jaz-O''' (formerly '''The Jaz''' and '''Big Jaz'''), is an American [[rapper]] and [[record producer]]. Active in the late 1980s through the 1990s, he became known in retrospect for beingas the mentor of fellow Brooklyn rapper [[Jay-Z]]. Burks, nicknamed "the Originator", debuted the artist on his 1986 single "[[H. P. Gets Busy]]". Burks hassigned sincewith released[[EMI]] to release three solostudio albums: ''[[Word to the Jaz]]'' (1989), ''[[To Your Soul]]'' (1990) and ''[[Kingz Kounty]]'' (2002), all of which were released by the record label [[EMI]]. His debut [[extended play]] (EP), ''The Warmup'' (2021), was the first release from the [[Roc Nation]] subsidiary, Equity Distribution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/83600/Jaz-O-The-Warmup/|title=The Warmup by Jaz-O Album Review}}</ref> He's has also been credited aswith aproduction recordwork producerfor forother artists including [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]], [[Rakim]], [[Usual Suspects]], [[GZA]], [[Kool G Rap]], [[Queen Latifah]], [[M.O.P.]], and [[Group Home]], among others.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/jay-z/biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504224055/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/jay-z/biography|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 4, 2011|title=Jay-Z Biography|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=2018-01-08}}</ref>

Jonathan Burks was born in the [[Brooklyn]] borough of [[New York City]] and raised in [[Marcy Houses]], a housing project in the [[Bedford-Stuyvesant]] neighborhood. Originally attending college to become an [[accountant]], he decided to becomefollowed a rapperfriend's afteradvice beingto encouraged bybecome a friend, and being inspiredrapper after hearing [[Grandmaster Caz]], asand wellbeing asinspired by [[UTFO]]'s "[[Roxanne Wars|Roxanne, Roxanne]]"."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/224835-jaz-o-is-the-originator-reflections-on-jay-z-big-and-creating-the-triplet-flow-news.88588.html|title=Jaz-O Is The Originator: Reflections On Jay-Z, B.I.G, & Creating The Triplet Flow|website=www.hotnewhiphop.com|first=Mitch|last=Finlay|date=August 19, 2019}}</ref>

BeingRaised fromin the [[Marcy Projects|same projects]] as Jay-Z, the two would meet and become friends, with Jaz-O being a rhyme mentor to Jay-Z. Sometime during the year of 1986, the two lyricists would soon form a short-livedrap group by the name of High Potent. Despite the group being short-lived, the two recorded and released several songs throughout 1986, before Jaz-O would go on andto get a record deal with [[EMI America Records|EMI USA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2015/06/most-heads-dont-know-that-jay-zs-first-record-was-in-1986-audio/|title=Jay Z's First Record Ever Was in 1986…And It Was Not Hawaiian Sophie. Take a Listen (Audio)|website=www.ambrosiaforheads.com|author=Bandini|date=June 18, 2015}}</ref> In regards to the signing, he stated:

<blockquote>I had been rhyming since I was 14. Do the math on your own! I became a legend on the east coast -– which in the 'eighties' was quite remarkable, in about six years. I was always told I was the best most had ever heard. I put out a song in 1985 called "HP Gets Busy" on our own label (my manager at the time, Jack Walker and I), featuring two of my comrades from [[Long Island, NY]], and my young apprentice, Jay Z. We did shows regionally; NY and Pittsburgh mostly. Meanwhile, I was recording with friend and producer, Fresh Gordon. He helped me get a single deal on [[Tommy Boy Records]] after I collaborated on a song with him called "My [[Fila (company)|Fila]]" (a response to [[Run DMC]]'s, "[[My Adidas]]"). A mutual friend of Gordon and I, Marlon Prescott, introduced me to my soon-to-be manager at that time, Stan Poses. In four months Stan solidified a major artist deal for me, and I became the first rap artist ever to sign with EMI Records. I also became the recipient of the largest advance and recording budget of any rap artist at that time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.urbanjazz.org/Jaz-O_interview.htm?LMCL=h80_1v|title=Jaz-O Interview|website=www.urbanjazz.org|access-date=2020-02-13|archive-date=2020-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213004824/http://www.urbanjazz.org/Jaz-O_interview.htm%3FLMCL%3Dh80_1v|url-status=dead}}</ref></blockquote>

Several months after signing with EMI USA, Jaz-O went on a trip tovisited [[London]], where he would record his debut album. Joining him on the trip was Jay-Z, as well as future [[Murder Inc Records]] CEO and producer [[Irv Gotti]], who was Jaz-O's DJ at the time. After completion, Jaz-O released his debut album ''[[Word to the Jaz]].'' The album was produced by Bryan "Chuck" New, Pete Q. Harris, and Jaz-O himself. The album peaked at number 87 on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-jaz/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-albums/song/375408|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514020611/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-jaz/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-albums/song/375408|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2018|title=The Jaz Word To The Jaz Chart History|work=[[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]]|access-date=January 8, 2018}}</ref> It featured a guest appearance from [[Jay-Z]] on the song "Hawaiian Sophie", which peaked at number 18 on the [[Hot Rap Songs]] chart.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-jaz/chart-history/rap-song/song/321004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509055208/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-jaz/chart-history/rap-song/song/321004|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 9, 2018|title=The Jaz Hawaiian Sophie Chart History|work=[[Hot Rap Songs]]|access-date=January 8, 2018}}</ref> The single "Let's Play House"/"Buss the Speaker" peaked at number 26 on the ''Billboard'' [[Dance Club Songs]] chart.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-jaz/chart-history/dance-club-play-songs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514014945/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-jaz/chart-history/dance-club-play-songs|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2018|title=The Jaz Chart History|work=[[Dance Club Songs]]|access-date=January 8, 2018}}</ref> During this time, Jaz-O also made a [[guest appearance]] on [[The O'Jays]]'s "[[Have You Had Your Love Today]]", which was a single released from their 1989 album ''Serious''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-OJays-Serious/release/1933597|title=The O'Jays – Serious (1989, CD)|date=1989 |via=www.discogs.com}}</ref>

Sometime after the album was released, Jaz-O was dropped from his record label and began to spend time working behind the scenes as a producer. At some point, Jaz-O connected with [[The Lox]], and produced a demo tape for the group, which would become instrumental to the start of their successful career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rfdtv.com/story/41673418/kingz-kounty-media-group-presents-jaz-os-new-ep-the-warmup-available-february-7th-on-all-platforms-via-equity-distribution|website=www.rfdtv.com|title=Kingz Kounty Media Group Presents Jaz-O's New EP "The WarmUp" Available February 7th on All Platforms Via Equity Distribution|date=February 7, 2020|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220070122/https://www.rfdtv.com/story/41673418/kingz-kounty-media-group-presents-jaz-os-new-ep-the-warmup-available-february-7th-on-all-platforms-via-equity-distribution|url-status=dead}}</ref> Fellow [[Yonkers]] native [[Mary J. Blige]],<ref name="Larkin90">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=2000|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0427-8}}</ref> would receive the tape from a cousin who did music with the trio. Becoming a supporter of the group, Blige would pass the demo tape on to [[Bad Boy Records|Bad Boy]] CEO [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puffy" Combs]] while on a tour with [[Jodeci]]. Liking what he heard, Puff shortly signed The Lox to a deal.<ref name="Larkin90"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mrcnnlive.com/jaz-o-the-immobilarie-kingz-kounty-album/|title=Jaz-O & The Immobilarie "Kingz Kounty" (Album)|date=January 25, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2014/01/jadakiss-unhinged-the-combat-jack-show|title=Jadakiss Talks About Growing Up In Yonkers and The LOX's Relationship with Mary J. Blige -– The Combat Jack Show|website=Complex}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1426166/the-lox-get-by-with-a-little-help-from-puffy-and-mary-j-blige/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220185143/http://www.mtv.com/news/1426166/the-lox-get-by-with-a-little-help-from-puffy-and-mary-j-blige/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 20, 2020|title=The Lox Get By With A Little Help From Puffy And Mary J. Blige|website=www.mtv.com|author=MTV News Staff|date=January 15, 1998|quote=She was like a number one fan for us. She was loving our music before anybody, and she just brought us to Puff. Puff was looking for a group, a rap group, at that time. It was instant. It just clicked like that. It was chemistry.}}</ref>

The long-standing feud between him and Jay-Z started when Jay-Z started [[Roc-A-Fella Records]] and tried to convince Jaz-O and fellow rapper [[Sauce Money]] to sign with the label. They both refused. It is rumored that they did not trust Roc-A-Fella Records CEO [[Damon Dash]] and label co-founder [[Kareem "Biggs" Burke]]. In addition, they were not satisfied with what they were to receive had they signed the contract ($300,000 in Jaz-O's case). Jay-Z confirmed this event on the song "What We Talkin' About" from the ''[[Blueprint 3]]'' album where he raps "Dame made millions, even Jaz made some scraps, he could've made more but he ain't sign his contract".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/07/20-rappers-who-almost-signed-to-other-labels/jaz-o|title=20 Rappers Who Almost Signed To Other LabelsJaz-O|website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|access-date=2018-01-08}}</ref>

Instead of signing with Roc-A-Fella Records, Jaz-O inkedsigned a deal with Rancore Records, and formed the hip-hop group Immobilarie. With the group, he released a collaboration album titled ''[[Jaz-O & The Immobilarie Family Present: Kingz Kounty]].''

Jay-Z went on to diss Jaz first on a track titled "Fuck Jaz-O AKA Jaz Ho", released by [[DJ Kayslay]] and featuring [[Freeway (rapper)|Freeway]], Geda K, [[Young Gunz|Young Chris]], and [[Memphis Bleek]]. On the song, in which they rapped over [[Styles P]]'s "[[Good Times (Styles P song)|Good Times]]" instrumental, and later on his album ''[[The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse]]'', Jay-Z states: "I'ma let karma catch up to Jaz-O." Jaz then responded with a record titled "Ova" on a DJ Kayslay mixtape, and after the response from Jay-Z and the members of Roc-A-Fella, he released the diss record response known as "Ova Part 2" in which he raps over [[N.O.R.E.]]'s "[[Nothin' (song)|Nothin']]" instrumental.

In December 2017, Jaz-O and Jay-Z reunited at Jay-Z's [[4:44 (album)|''4:44'']] concert, seemingly ending their feud.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/12/jay-z-jaz-o-reunite-444-tour-chicago/|title=Jay-Z and Jaz-O Reunite at 4:44 Tour Stop in Chicago -– XXL|website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL Mag]]|date=6 December 2017 |access-date=2018-01-08}}</ref> In 2019, it was reported that the two had worked out a music deal for Jaz-O's Kingz Kounty Media Group to be distributed through [[Roc Nation]]'s Equity Distribution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://onsmash.com/music/jay-z-signs-jaz-o-to-roc-nation/|title=JAY-Z Signs Jaz-O to Roc Nation after Ending Beef|website=onsmashmusic.com|author=VIRAL MVP|date=July 9, 2019}}</ref>

On February 7, 2020, Jaz-O released an extended play (EP) titled ''[[The Warmup EP|The Warmup]]'', on Kingz Kounty Media Group. It was distributed by Roc Nation's Equity Distribution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://grungecake.com/jaz-o-the-warmup-review/articles/62893|title = JAY-Z's mentor Jaz-O picks up where he left off with ten-track effort 'The Warmup': Listen – GRUNGECAKE| date=8 February 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://weeklyrapgods.com/2020/02/10/jaz-o-new-the-warm-up-project/|title=Jaz-O Raises the Bar In New 'The Warm Up' Project|date=February 10, 2020|website=Weekly Rap Gods|access-date=February 23, 2020|archive-date=February 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223042714/https://weeklyrapgods.com/2020/02/10/jaz-o-new-the-warm-up-project/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 20212021–present: Other ventures and releases ===

Jaz-O cites [[Grandmaster Caz]] as an early influence. Caz was the artist who made Jaz-O decide to become a rapper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1453361/jaz-o-reminds-world-where-jay-z-got-his-blueprint/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108002945/http://www.mtv.com/news/1453361/jaz-o-reminds-world-where-jay-z-got-his-blueprint/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 8, 2014|title=Jaz-O Reminds World Where Jay-Z Got His Blueprint|website=www.mtv.com|author=Soren Baker|date=April 10, 2002|quote=When I heard Grandmaster Caz, it was like a light came on. His timing was just perfect, his voice was perfect and he wrote all of the routines that the Cold Crush did. A lot of them were jingles from old pop and R&B songs, but it was crazy the way he flipped them. I didn't know it could be like that. From that day on, I endeavored to get my timing like that, to have the same clarity and vocal punch.}}</ref>

Jaz-O was known to be a visible figure in the [[Nuwaubian Nation]] during the 1980s. Nuwaubian beliefs and symbolism were prominent in the earlier years of his music career, and Nuwaubian fashion influenced his wardrobe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopmindcontrol.com/jayz.htm|title=Jay-Z got his start rapping alongside Jaz-O. They got involved in the "conscious hip hop" movement with the release of "The Originators"|website=www.hiphopmindcontrol.com|author=Unknown}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

|Jay-Z, [[Sauce Money]], Tone Hooker

* 1995: [[Group Home]] -– ''"4 Give My Sins"'' | '''[[Livin' Proof]]'''

* 1996: [[Jay-Z]] -– ''"Ain't No Nigga" (featuring [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]])'' | '''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]] / [[The Nutty Professor (soundtrack)]]'''

* 1997``````: [[PStephanie DiddyCooke]] -– "''"ILive GotW/ theYo Power" (Featuring [[The Lox]])Self'' " '''|''' '''[[No Way OutTricky (Puff Daddy albumrapper)|NoTricky]] WayPresents Out]]Grassroots'''

* 19981997: [[RasTeflon Kass]] -– "''"H2OGotta Proof"Get Ova'' " '''|''' My '''[[Rasassination]]Will'''

* 1998``````: [[QueenP LatifahDiddy]] -– ''"CourtI IsGot inthe SessionPower"'' (featuring [[The Lox]])'' '''|''' '''[[OrderNo inWay theOut (Puff Daddy album)|No Way CourtOut]]'''

* 1999``````: [[RakimJay-Z]] -– ''"It'sRap AGame Must/ Crack Game""'' '''|''' '''[[TheIn MasterMy (RakimLifetime, album)|TheVol. Master1]]'''

* 20021998: [[KoolUsual G RapSuspects]] -– ''"Black WidowCrazy"'' '''|''' '''[[TheStreets Is GiacanaWatching Story(soundtrack)]]'''

* 2002``````: [[GZARas Kass]] -– ''"H2O LegendProof"'' Of The Liquid Sword"'''|''' '''[[Legend of the Liquid Sword (album)|Legend of the Liquid SwordRasassination]]'''

[[Category:American hip -hop record producers]]

[[Category:East Coast hip -hop musicians]]

[[Category:20th-century African-American peoplemusicians]]