J-Live Always Has Been (Triple Threat/Fat Beats) Rating: NNN Rating: NNN
Most hiphop headz would be checking this six-track reissue of eight-year-old J-Live joints for the original version of the vinyl-only underground classic Braggin’ Writes, on which the rappin’ school teacher’s rep was made. The surprise here for some will be that the other jams, like the original version of School’s In (just keepin’ it real, dawg) and Longevity are just as exciting, if not better.
Watch J-Live rip it on his summer break at the Toronto Urban Music Festival at the CNE Bandshell Friday (August 29).