DJ Jazzy Jeff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
DJ Jazzy Jeff
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DJ Jazzy Jeff in 2011
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| Birth name | Jeffrey Allen Townes |
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| Born | January 22, 1965 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1985–present |
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Jeffrey Allen Townes (born January 22, 1965), better known as DJ Jazzy Jeff, is a famous American DJ and music producer. He is best known as one half of the popular hip-hop group DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, where he partnered with actor and musician Will Smith.
DJ Jazzy Jeff is a pioneer in the world of DJing. He helped make a special DJ technique called the "transformer scratch" famous. This technique involves moving a record back and forth on a turntable to create a cool, robotic sound.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
DJ Jazzy Jeff was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a kid, he loved music. He became fascinated with DJs at local block parties. Instead of dancing with everyone else, he would watch the DJ, studying how they chose songs and made people move. By the time he was ten, he knew he wanted to be a DJ.
He started performing at school events and parties, building a reputation in his neighborhood. He chose the stage name DJ Jazzy Jeff and soon met a young rapper named Will Smith. Together, they formed the group DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.
The duo became a huge success. In 1989, they won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for their hit song "Parents Just Don't Understand". Their most famous single, "Summertime", also won a Grammy and was a top hit on the music charts.
Career Highlights
Acting in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
When Will Smith started starring in the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, he brought his friend along. DJ Jazzy Jeff played the character Jazz, Will's funny best friend.
Jazz was known for his signature handshake with Will and for his crush on the character Hillary Banks. A famous running gag on the show was Jazz being thrown out of the Banks's house by Uncle Phil. This scene was often shown using the same clip, which made it even funnier for audiences.
Music Production and Collaborations
After DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince stopped making music together, Townes became a successful music producer. He started his own production company called A Touch of Jazz. He has worked with and helped develop many famous artists, including Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, The Roots, and Eminem.
Even though he and Will Smith no longer perform as a duo, they are still great friends. They have worked together on many projects over the years. DJ Jazzy Jeff produced some of Smith's solo songs and appeared in his music videos. They have also performed together at big events, like the Live 8 concert in 2005.
In 2017, the pair reunited for two shows in Europe, performing for thousands of fans. In 2024, DJ Jazzy Jeff toured with the group New Kids on the Block as a special guest.
Personal Life
DJ Jazzy Jeff married his wife, Lynette, in 2010. He has four children. One of his sons, Cory Townes, is also a DJ, following in his father's footsteps. Another son, Amir Mitchell-Townes, is an actor and musician.
Selected Discography
Here are some of the most famous albums from DJ Jazzy Jeff's career.
As DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
- Rock the House (1987)
- He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988) (This album won the first-ever rap Grammy)
- Homebase (1991) (Features the hit song "Summertime")
- Code Red (1993)
- Greatest Hits (1998)
Solo Work
- The Magnificent (2002)
- The Return of the Magnificent (2007)
- M3 (2018)
See also
In Spanish: DJ Jazzy Jeff para niños
