ABOUT J-ZONE:
1992.
Before I made records that pissed you off and blew out your speakers, I walked around with a hi-top fade and a walkman that I never took off, even in school. After a short summer internship at Power Play Studios in Queens (where I watched Large Professor work on albums for Akinyele and Roxanne Shante) and listening to the sounds of producers like 45 King, Bomb Squad, DJ Pooh, DJ Muggs, Ultramagnetic, DJ Premier, Dr. Dre, Mr. Mixx and Pete Rock, I was convinced I wanted to make beats...and a career in rap music.
My childhood dream of playing bass in a funk band died after the jheri curl went outta style. I got an SP-1200 and some other equipment and started makin demos in the crib. 2 years later, in 1994, I met Vance Wright (Slick Ricks DJ) who had a studio up in New Rochelle, NY. I started interning/ engineering there at age 17. I learned the basics of engineering and brushed up on my beat making techniques...all while running gofer errands to get Greg Nices turkey sandwiches while he worked on Nice-N-Smooths Jewel of the Nile LP. Grand Puba was there workin on his 2000 LP as well. My first record ever came out back then. I produced a joint for Preacher Earl (down with Nice-N-Smooth) called "Fool I Got Your Back" that came out promo only in 1995.
After that, I went to Purchase College (NY) to major in music and minor in the life experiences that turned me into the poster child for crassness that I am today. My college senior project was called Music For Tu Madre, an album that eventually became my debut independent release on my Old Maid Entertainment label in 1999. I followed up the lil buzz with A Bottle Of Whup Ass-The EP (2000) and Pimps Dont Pay Taxes (2001). They all did decent independently on Old Maid. I sold enough to get me that fake diamond and gold dollar sign chain I'm always wearing and to have Fat Beats Records/BMG Distribution re-release Pimps Dont Pay Taxes in 2002. My fourth LP ($ick Of Bein Rich) dropped in 2003 and I followed that with my most recent solo album (A Job Ain't Nuthin But Work) in 2004 (both thru FB/BMG/Old Maid). Over the course of these 5 albums, I've worked with everybody from longtime sidekicks Al-Shid and Dick $tallion to legendary artists like King T, J-Ro (of tha Alkaholiks), Masta Ace and Devin the Dude. I also released the Gimme Dat Beat Fool remix project in 2005 and a few other limited edition concept based side projects over years. 2006 saw the release of The Bo$$ Hog Barbarian$...Every Hog Has Its Day, a group project with longtime collaborator Celph Titled on our own Mt. Kill-A-Ho/ Hog Cabin Ent. label. Later in 2006 I released To Love A Hooker: The Motion Picture Soundtrack, an instrumental soundtrack to a movie I conceived that doesn't really exist (I know, I be buggin out sometimes). A make-your-own concept album I guess. That's my most recent project and the final release of the J-Zone career.
I'm best known as a producer and all of my albums were self-produced. Ive done beats for Biz Markie, Sadat X, Lil Fame (M.O.P.), Akinyele, Tha Alkaholiks, Casual, Apathy, Louis Logic, Prince Po (Organized Konfusion), Vast Aire, RA the Rugged Man, Del, Tame One, MF Grimm, The Juggaknots and many more. I've also collaborated with Da Beatminerz, Pete Rock & Ed OG, DJ Premier, Danger Mouse & Cee-Lo (Gnarls Barkley), Large Professor, MC Serch, DJ Miz, Greg Nice, Grand Puba, Vance Wright and Jehst & Harry Love as a rapper, DJ and studio engineer. As a DJ, I like to spin gangsta rap that clears the dancefloor, but I dont care. Too $hort, Poison Clan, Geto Boys and Eazy-E are party records to me. I also play disco, funk, hiphop classics, classic rock, new jack swing or r & b when the crowd behaves. My latest endeavors have been my monthly Gator$-n-Fur$ mixshows (download em for FREE on the main page!), each with a theme, one hour of music I love and humorous commentary. Done with my alter-ego co-host Chief Chinchilla, these shows fill the void that was left in my life by no longer recording albums. I've completely shifted my focus away from rapping, but when I was doing it I didnt freestyle and I was known for vulgar lyrics, brutally honest social commentary and crude subject matter, but always all in fun. I took my affection for this type of music to the next level with my Ign'ant Mix CD series and having my own column dedicated solely to this style of rap which had 2 and 1 year runs in Hip Hop Connection (UK) and Elemental magazines, respectively. Senior citizens and those with a sense of humor found me pretty amusing, but the rest of the world hated me, haha. I've done shows, tours and DJ gigs from all across the US, to Australia and throughout Europe...they all agree. I've also partnered up with longtime friend/peer DJ Sheep of Australia to form our DJ crew, Extra Chee$e. We rock the party and spin it all (except reggeaton). Besides the DJing, I now focus full time on production and have some off kilter side projects I'm looking to do. I even teach part time! Rap is a young man's game and I'm changing as a person, so it's time to move on. The music business sucks, it'll bust yo ass. Cigarettes are healthier!
I currently live with my beloved Grandmother Evil E (she's on 3 of my album covers) in Jamaica Queens, NY. I can usually be found going to the store for her with a pocket full of coupons or at the house watchin Sports Center all day and waitin for somebody with some money to call me. Also hiphop's biggest basketball fan, I wrote an article for Bobbito Garcia's Bounce magazine on New York City public high school basketball, as well as freelance writing for Reverse Magazine based in France and SLAM online. I'll bust you up in a game of HORSE when my jumper is on too. And speakin of sports, I recently had some music in a Sprint Commercial for Superbowl XL. I even scored music for a porno (Asian Bang, 2006)! Yeah!!! Loved by few, hated by many...f*ck it! Producer, ex-rapper, DJ, label owner, journalist and wearer of and poster child for fine fur coats. Talk sh*t about me all you want, just make sure you spell my name right!
J-Zone (aka Chief Chinchilla, Mr. Don't Holla, Fax Phone, Kenny Hoggin$), formerly Captain Back$lap the Tom Jones of Rap.
J-ZONE DISCOGRAPHY
P- Producer V- Vocalist
All in print releases available for sale and soundclips for listening online at sandboxautomatic.com
Detailed reviews for J-Zone albums and many of these other releases at rapreviews.com and hiphopsite.com
If something is out of print, then you're on your own in terms of buying it. Ha!
1996
Preacher Earl: "Fool, I Got Your Back (Promo "12)" P
1999
J-Zone: Music For Tu Madre (LP) P, V
Doug Munro and II-V-I: "Bumpin' (Remix)" P
2000
J-Zone: A Bottle Of Whup Ass (EP/LP) P, V
The Runaways: “You Don’t Understand” V
J-Zone Instrumentals Vol.1 (EP) P
J-Zone: “Zone For President” b/w "Metrocard Millionaires" (“12) P, V
2001
The Runaways: “You Don’t Understand (Remix “12)” P, V
J-Zone f. Old Maid Billionaires (Huggy & Al-Shid): “Live From Pimp Palace East” b/w "Fuckin Up The Money" & "S.H.I.D (Part 4)" P, V
J-Zone f. Old Maid Billionaires (Huggy & Al-Shid): Pimps Don’t Pay Taxes (LP) P,V
J-Zone: Instrumentals Vol. 2 (EP) P
Eastern Conference All-Stars: “EC All Stars (Part 1)” V
J-Zone: “Q&A” b/w "County Check Pimpin'" (“12) P, V
2002
Jehst, J-Zone & Harry Love: “Staircase To Stage” (“12) V
Princess Superstar: “I Love You” (f. J-Zone) V
High & Mighty: “Artillery” P
Al-Shid: “Ign’ant” b/w "Fight Club" (“12) P
H.U.G.: “F-ckin Wit Hug” b/w "Rebel Radio" (“12) P
J-Zone: The Lost Instrumentals (EP) P
Diversion Tactics: “Pounds & Cents” V
Cage: “Stoney Lodge” P
Danger Mouse & Jemini: “Take Care of Business” (f. J-Zone) V
J-Zone: “S.L.A.P.” b/w "Ho Kung-Fu" & "County Check Pimpin' Remix)" (“12)
P, V
R.A. The Rugged Man: “Brawl” P
Al-Shid: “The Big Hit” b/w "M.A.T.H." (“12) P
2003
Tame One: “Heat”, “Tame As It Ever Was” & “Slick Talkin’” P
Cage: “Too Much (Remix)” P
J-Zone: “Calamine Lotion (Pt. 3)” (Lexolium 3 Compilation) P
J-Zone: “5-Star Hooptie” b/w "Eatadiccup" (f. Celph Titled) (“12) P, V
J-Zone: The Gold Plaque Instrumentals (EP) P
J-Zone: “Lightweight” (Beer: The Movie- Soundtrack) P, V
J-Zone: $ick of Bein Rich (LP) P, V
Wordsworth: "Not Me" P
Biz Markie: “Chinese Food” P
J-Zone: $ick Of Bein Rich Instrumentals P
J-Zone: "Choir Practice" (f. King T & J-Ro) b/w "Alley Oop" & "Lightweight"
P, V
2004
Lexicon: Rock Remix (f. J-Zone, Celph Titled, Styles of Beyond & Louis Logic) V
GM Grimm: "Taken" b/w "Dancing" ("12) P
Akinyele: "Ak-Nel" & "In The Zone" P
Prince Po: "Meet Me At The Bar" (f. J-Ro & J-Zone) & "It's Goin' Down" P, V
7L & Esoteric: "Rhyme Saga" P
Leak Bros.:"G.O.D." P
J-Zone: Pink Cookie Instrumentals (EP) P
J-Zone: "A Friendly Game Of Basketball" b/w "$poiled Rotten" (f. Celph Titled) ("12) P, V
J-Zone: A Job Ain't Nuthin But Work (LP) P, V
J-Zone: A Job AIn't Nuthin But Work Instrumentals (LP) P
The Odd Couple: "Open The Mic" (f. J-Zone, Celph Titled & JJ Brown) V
Ed O.G. & Pete Rock: "Right Now" Mixing, scratches
Masta Ace: A Long Hot Summer (LP) Soundbiites
2005
J-Zone: "Greater Later Remix" & "Greater Later" (f. Devin the Dude) b/w "The Art Of Shit Talkin" ("12) P, V
Copywrite: "Happy Hour" P
Majik Most (f. Gutta Mouf & Celph Titled): "Extra Thug Sauce Remix (2002)" P
J-Zone: Gimme Dat Beat Fool- The J-Zone Remix Project P, V
Access Immortal: "Monday Night Raw" P
Da Beatminerz: "Check 1,2" (f. J-Zone, Karniege & Poison Pen) V
Casual: "Say That Then" & "Hierollers" P
2006
Bo$$ Hog Barbarian$ (J-Zone & Celph Titled): "$teady $mobbin" b/w "Celph Destruction ("12) P, V
Louis Logic: "Squeaky & The Head Detective" & "Strange" P
Bo$$ Hog Barbarian$ (J-Zone & Celph Titled): Every Hog Has It's Day (LP) P, V
ASIAN BANG! (Porno) P (scoring)
AWOL One: "This Far" P
J-Zone: To Love A Hooker: The Motion Picture Soundtrack (LP) P
Outerspace: "Altered Beasts" P
Sadat X: "X Is A Machine" P
The Juggaknots: "Crazy 8's" P
2007
Apathy: "Chemical (J-Zone Remix)" P
Celph Titled: "S.M.D." (2002) P
Celph Titled: "Nut Reception" (f. J-Zone) V
A-Plus: "What's Hannin" (f. Ty Nitty) P
Giraffe Nuts: "Senseless Hate" P
I've also produced and created a few limited edition/promo only side projects and 2 mix cd's, but you're on your own unearthing those!
1992.
Before I made records that pissed you off and blew out your speakers, I walked around with a hi-top fade and a walkman that I never took off, even in school. After a short summer internship at Power Play Studios in Queens (where I watched Large Professor work on albums for Akinyele and Roxanne Shante) and listening to the sounds of producers like 45 King, Bomb Squad, DJ Pooh, DJ Muggs, Ultramagnetic, DJ Premier, Dr. Dre, Mr. Mixx and Pete Rock, I was convinced I wanted to make beats...and a career in rap music.
My childhood dream of playing bass in a funk band died after the jheri curl went outta style. I got an SP-1200 and some other equipment and started makin demos in the crib. 2 years later, in 1994, I met Vance Wright (Slick Ricks DJ) who had a studio up in New Rochelle, NY. I started interning/ engineering there at age 17. I learned the basics of engineering and brushed up on my beat making techniques...all while running gofer errands to get Greg Nices turkey sandwiches while he worked on Nice-N-Smooths Jewel of the Nile LP. Grand Puba was there workin on his 2000 LP as well. My first record ever came out back then. I produced a joint for Preacher Earl (down with Nice-N-Smooth) called "Fool I Got Your Back" that came out promo only in 1995.
After that, I went to Purchase College (NY) to major in music and minor in the life experiences that turned me into the poster child for crassness that I am today. My college senior project was called Music For Tu Madre, an album that eventually became my debut independent release on my Old Maid Entertainment label in 1999. I followed up the lil buzz with A Bottle Of Whup Ass-The EP (2000) and Pimps Dont Pay Taxes (2001). They all did decent independently on Old Maid. I sold enough to get me that fake diamond and gold dollar sign chain I'm always wearing and to have Fat Beats Records/BMG Distribution re-release Pimps Dont Pay Taxes in 2002. My fourth LP ($ick Of Bein Rich) dropped in 2003 and I followed that with my most recent solo album (A Job Ain't Nuthin But Work) in 2004 (both thru FB/BMG/Old Maid). Over the course of these 5 albums, I've worked with everybody from longtime sidekicks Al-Shid and Dick $tallion to legendary artists like King T, J-Ro (of tha Alkaholiks), Masta Ace and Devin the Dude. I also released the Gimme Dat Beat Fool remix project in 2005 and a few other limited edition concept based side projects over years. 2006 saw the release of The Bo$$ Hog Barbarian$...Every Hog Has Its Day, a group project with longtime collaborator Celph Titled on our own Mt. Kill-A-Ho/ Hog Cabin Ent. label. Later in 2006 I released To Love A Hooker: The Motion Picture Soundtrack, an instrumental soundtrack to a movie I conceived that doesn't really exist (I know, I be buggin out sometimes). A make-your-own concept album I guess. That's my most recent project and the final release of the J-Zone career.
I'm best known as a producer and all of my albums were self-produced. Ive done beats for Biz Markie, Sadat X, Lil Fame (M.O.P.), Akinyele, Tha Alkaholiks, Casual, Apathy, Louis Logic, Prince Po (Organized Konfusion), Vast Aire, RA the Rugged Man, Del, Tame One, MF Grimm, The Juggaknots and many more. I've also collaborated with Da Beatminerz, Pete Rock & Ed OG, DJ Premier, Danger Mouse & Cee-Lo (Gnarls Barkley), Large Professor, MC Serch, DJ Miz, Greg Nice, Grand Puba, Vance Wright and Jehst & Harry Love as a rapper, DJ and studio engineer. As a DJ, I like to spin gangsta rap that clears the dancefloor, but I dont care. Too $hort, Poison Clan, Geto Boys and Eazy-E are party records to me. I also play disco, funk, hiphop classics, classic rock, new jack swing or r & b when the crowd behaves. My latest endeavors have been my monthly Gator$-n-Fur$ mixshows (download em for FREE on the main page!), each with a theme, one hour of music I love and humorous commentary. Done with my alter-ego co-host Chief Chinchilla, these shows fill the void that was left in my life by no longer recording albums. I've completely shifted my focus away from rapping, but when I was doing it I didnt freestyle and I was known for vulgar lyrics, brutally honest social commentary and crude subject matter, but always all in fun. I took my affection for this type of music to the next level with my Ign'ant Mix CD series and having my own column dedicated solely to this style of rap which had 2 and 1 year runs in Hip Hop Connection (UK) and Elemental magazines, respectively. Senior citizens and those with a sense of humor found me pretty amusing, but the rest of the world hated me, haha. I've done shows, tours and DJ gigs from all across the US, to Australia and throughout Europe...they all agree. I've also partnered up with longtime friend/peer DJ Sheep of Australia to form our DJ crew, Extra Chee$e. We rock the party and spin it all (except reggeaton). Besides the DJing, I now focus full time on production and have some off kilter side projects I'm looking to do. I even teach part time! Rap is a young man's game and I'm changing as a person, so it's time to move on. The music business sucks, it'll bust yo ass. Cigarettes are healthier!
I currently live with my beloved Grandmother Evil E (she's on 3 of my album covers) in Jamaica Queens, NY. I can usually be found going to the store for her with a pocket full of coupons or at the house watchin Sports Center all day and waitin for somebody with some money to call me. Also hiphop's biggest basketball fan, I wrote an article for Bobbito Garcia's Bounce magazine on New York City public high school basketball, as well as freelance writing for Reverse Magazine based in France and SLAM online. I'll bust you up in a game of HORSE when my jumper is on too. And speakin of sports, I recently had some music in a Sprint Commercial for Superbowl XL. I even scored music for a porno (Asian Bang, 2006)! Yeah!!! Loved by few, hated by many...f*ck it! Producer, ex-rapper, DJ, label owner, journalist and wearer of and poster child for fine fur coats. Talk sh*t about me all you want, just make sure you spell my name right!
J-Zone (aka Chief Chinchilla, Mr. Don't Holla, Fax Phone, Kenny Hoggin$), formerly Captain Back$lap the Tom Jones of Rap.
J-ZONE DISCOGRAPHY
P- Producer V- Vocalist
All in print releases available for sale and soundclips for listening online at sandboxautomatic.com
Detailed reviews for J-Zone albums and many of these other releases at rapreviews.com and hiphopsite.com
If something is out of print, then you're on your own in terms of buying it. Ha!
1996
Preacher Earl: "Fool, I Got Your Back (Promo "12)" P
1999
J-Zone: Music For Tu Madre (LP) P, V
Doug Munro and II-V-I: "Bumpin' (Remix)" P
2000
J-Zone: A Bottle Of Whup Ass (EP/LP) P, V
The Runaways: “You Don’t Understand” V
J-Zone Instrumentals Vol.1 (EP) P
J-Zone: “Zone For President” b/w "Metrocard Millionaires" (“12) P, V
2001
The Runaways: “You Don’t Understand (Remix “12)” P, V
J-Zone f. Old Maid Billionaires (Huggy & Al-Shid): “Live From Pimp Palace East” b/w "Fuckin Up The Money" & "S.H.I.D (Part 4)" P, V
J-Zone f. Old Maid Billionaires (Huggy & Al-Shid): Pimps Don’t Pay Taxes (LP) P,V
J-Zone: Instrumentals Vol. 2 (EP) P
Eastern Conference All-Stars: “EC All Stars (Part 1)” V
J-Zone: “Q&A” b/w "County Check Pimpin'" (“12) P, V
2002
Jehst, J-Zone & Harry Love: “Staircase To Stage” (“12) V
Princess Superstar: “I Love You” (f. J-Zone) V
High & Mighty: “Artillery” P
Al-Shid: “Ign’ant” b/w "Fight Club" (“12) P
H.U.G.: “F-ckin Wit Hug” b/w "Rebel Radio" (“12) P
J-Zone: The Lost Instrumentals (EP) P
Diversion Tactics: “Pounds & Cents” V
Cage: “Stoney Lodge” P
Danger Mouse & Jemini: “Take Care of Business” (f. J-Zone) V
J-Zone: “S.L.A.P.” b/w "Ho Kung-Fu" & "County Check Pimpin' Remix)" (“12)
P, V
R.A. The Rugged Man: “Brawl” P
Al-Shid: “The Big Hit” b/w "M.A.T.H." (“12) P
2003
Tame One: “Heat”, “Tame As It Ever Was” & “Slick Talkin’” P
Cage: “Too Much (Remix)” P
J-Zone: “Calamine Lotion (Pt. 3)” (Lexolium 3 Compilation) P
J-Zone: “5-Star Hooptie” b/w "Eatadiccup" (f. Celph Titled) (“12) P, V
J-Zone: The Gold Plaque Instrumentals (EP) P
J-Zone: “Lightweight” (Beer: The Movie- Soundtrack) P, V
J-Zone: $ick of Bein Rich (LP) P, V
Wordsworth: "Not Me" P
Biz Markie: “Chinese Food” P
J-Zone: $ick Of Bein Rich Instrumentals P
J-Zone: "Choir Practice" (f. King T & J-Ro) b/w "Alley Oop" & "Lightweight"
P, V
2004
Lexicon: Rock Remix (f. J-Zone, Celph Titled, Styles of Beyond & Louis Logic) V
GM Grimm: "Taken" b/w "Dancing" ("12) P
Akinyele: "Ak-Nel" & "In The Zone" P
Prince Po: "Meet Me At The Bar" (f. J-Ro & J-Zone) & "It's Goin' Down" P, V
7L & Esoteric: "Rhyme Saga" P
Leak Bros.:"G.O.D." P
J-Zone: Pink Cookie Instrumentals (EP) P
J-Zone: "A Friendly Game Of Basketball" b/w "$poiled Rotten" (f. Celph Titled) ("12) P, V
J-Zone: A Job Ain't Nuthin But Work (LP) P, V
J-Zone: A Job AIn't Nuthin But Work Instrumentals (LP) P
The Odd Couple: "Open The Mic" (f. J-Zone, Celph Titled & JJ Brown) V
Ed O.G. & Pete Rock: "Right Now" Mixing, scratches
Masta Ace: A Long Hot Summer (LP) Soundbiites
2005
J-Zone: "Greater Later Remix" & "Greater Later" (f. Devin the Dude) b/w "The Art Of Shit Talkin" ("12) P, V
Copywrite: "Happy Hour" P
Majik Most (f. Gutta Mouf & Celph Titled): "Extra Thug Sauce Remix (2002)" P
J-Zone: Gimme Dat Beat Fool- The J-Zone Remix Project P, V
Access Immortal: "Monday Night Raw" P
Da Beatminerz: "Check 1,2" (f. J-Zone, Karniege & Poison Pen) V
Casual: "Say That Then" & "Hierollers" P
2006
Bo$$ Hog Barbarian$ (J-Zone & Celph Titled): "$teady $mobbin" b/w "Celph Destruction ("12) P, V
Louis Logic: "Squeaky & The Head Detective" & "Strange" P
Bo$$ Hog Barbarian$ (J-Zone & Celph Titled): Every Hog Has It's Day (LP) P, V
ASIAN BANG! (Porno) P (scoring)
AWOL One: "This Far" P
J-Zone: To Love A Hooker: The Motion Picture Soundtrack (LP) P
Outerspace: "Altered Beasts" P
Sadat X: "X Is A Machine" P
The Juggaknots: "Crazy 8's" P
2007
Apathy: "Chemical (J-Zone Remix)" P
Celph Titled: "S.M.D." (2002) P
Celph Titled: "Nut Reception" (f. J-Zone) V
A-Plus: "What's Hannin" (f. Ty Nitty) P
Giraffe Nuts: "Senseless Hate" P
I've also produced and created a few limited edition/promo only side projects and 2 mix cd's, but you're on your own unearthing those!
