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DJ Jazzy Jeff facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
"Jazzy Jeff" redirects here. For the New York rapper, see MC Jazzy Jeff. For the American boxer, see Jeff Mayweather.
Quick facts for kids
DJ Jazzy Jeff
Jazzyjeff 061111.jpg
DJ Jazzy Jeff in 2011
Background information
Birth name Jeffrey Allen Townes
Also known as
  • Jazz
  • Jazzy Jeff
Born (1965-01-22) January 22, 1965 (age 60)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • DJ
  • record producer
  • actor
Years active 1985–present
Labels
  • Rapster
  • Groovin'
  • BBE
Associated acts
  • DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
  • Mick
  • Raheem Devaughn
  • The Roots

Jeffrey Allen Townes (born January 22, 1965), known as DJ Jazzy Jeff, is a famous American DJ and music producer. He was one half of the hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, along with Will Smith. DJ Jazzy Jeff is known for helping to make the "transformer scratch" popular. This is a special DJ technique where the sound is quickly turned on and off.

Early Life

Jeffrey Allen Townes was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 22, 1965. When he was ten years old, he became very interested in being a DJ. He would watch DJs at school and neighborhood parties. He loved how the DJ played music that made everyone happy. He said he was "infatuated" with the DJ.

He later chose the stage name DJ Jazzy Jeff. He teamed up with Will Smith to form the group DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. Their song "Parents Just Don't Understand" won the first ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989. Their most popular song was "Summertime". This song reached number 4 on the music charts and won them a second Grammy.

Music and Acting Career

Acting on TV

Dj jazzy jeff-02
DJ Jazzy Jeff in Hamburg, Germany in 2002

When Will Smith started his TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, DJ Jazzy Jeff played a character named Jazz. Jazz was Will Smith's best friend on the show. He was a regular character and often shared a special handshake with Will. A funny part of the show was when Will's Uncle Phil (James Avery) would throw Jazz out of the house. This often happened in a very funny way.

Making Music

DJ Jazzy Jeff has been involved in music since 1985. He was part of the Korner Boyz and their song "Jazzy Jeff Scratch". As part of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, he helped create many popular albums and songs. They won two Grammy Awards for their music.

After the duo stopped making music together, Townes became a successful music producer. He started his own company called A Touch of Jazz in Philadelphia. He helped many artists become famous, including Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and The Roots. Even though he and Will Smith no longer make music as a duo, they are still good friends. They sometimes work together on songs and perform at concerts. For example, they performed at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia in 2005.

In 2007, DJ Jazzy Jeff released his album The Return of the Magnificent. It featured many other artists. In 2009, he was a playable character in the video game DJ Hero. He also created a mixtape to honor Michael Jackson. Since 2010, he has teamed up with DJ Mick to release a series of mixtapes called Summertime: The Mixtape every summer.

In 2013, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith performed together on The Graham Norton Show. DJ Jazzy Jeff also started a web series called Vinyl Destination. This show followed him as he performed DJ shows around the world. In 2015, he helped with the music for the movie Straight Outta Compton. More recently, in 2024, he went on tour with New Kids on the Block.

Personal Life

DJ Jazzy Jeff married Lynette C. Jackson in Jamaica on July 31, 2010. He has four children. His sons from a previous relationship are Cory Townes and Amir Mitchell-Townes. He has a son named Pleasant and a daughter named August with Lynette.

Albums and Songs

Here are some of the albums and songs DJ Jazzy Jeff has released or worked on:

Solo Work as DJ Jazzy Jeff

  • The Magnificent EP (2002)
  • The Magnificent (2002)
  • Soulheaven Presents Jazzy Jeff in the House (2004)
  • Hip-Hop Forever II (2004)
  • The Soul Mixtape (2005)
  • Hip-Hop Forever III (2006)
  • The Return of The Magnificent EP (2007)
  • The Return of the Magnificent (2007)
  • The Return of Hip Hop EP (2007)
  • House of Tribes (T's Box) (2009)
  • My Faves Volume 1 (mixtape) (2009)
  • DJ Jazzy Jeff presents: Jeff's in the House Vol. 1 (mixtape) (2010)
  • What Happens in Vegas (mixtape) (2011)
  • LRG Life Colors (mixtape) (2012)
  • M3 (album) (2018)

As DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

  • Rock the House (1987)
  • He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988)
  • And in This Corner… (1989)
  • Homebase (1991)
  • Code Red (1993)
  • Greatest Hits (1998)
  • Before The Willennium (1999)
  • The Very Best of D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (2006)

Other Songs and Projects

  • 1991: "Work It Out" with Monie Love
  • 1991: "Deep, Deep, Trouble" with The Simpsons
  • 1997: "Jazzy Jeff's Theme"
  • 1998: "When to Stand Up" (featuring Eminem)
  • 1998: "I Don't Know" – Slum Village (scratches)
  • 1999: "The Next Movement" – The Roots (scratches)
  • 2004: "Mirrorball (DJ Jazzy Jeff Full Sole Remix)" (by Everything but the Girl)
  • 2005: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone (DJ Jazzy Jeff & Pete Kuzma Solefull Mix)" (by the Temptations)
  • 2005: Lost & Found (by Will Smith; produced intro song and scratches)
  • 2005: "Watch Me" – Little Brother (scratches)
  • 2006: "Feel It (Jazzy Jeff Soulful Remix)" (by The Black Eyed Peas)
  • 2006: "Night in Tunisia (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)" (by Duke Jordan)
  • 2006: "Foot in the Door" – Oddisee (mixed by DJ Jazzy Jeff)
  • 2007: "NY Weather Report" – Talib Kweli (scratches)
  • 2007: "A Long Walk" – Jill Scott (cameo in music video)
  • 2008: "Get Busy" – The Roots (scratches)
  • 2008: "Bring It Back" – Rhymefest (producer)
  • 2009: "Prince in Training" – MaC Renegade (hosted by DJ Jazzy Jeff)
  • 2009: "Stay This Way (Jazzy Jeff Remix)" – by Peter Bjorn and John
  • 2010: Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 1 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
  • 2011: Back for More – DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah
  • 2011: Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 2 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
  • 2011: "Shorti Bomb" – DJ Sat-One
  • 2011: "No Strings (DJ Jazzy Jeff Roller Boogie Remix)" – Mayer Hawthorne
  • 2012: Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 3 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
  • 2012: "92 Til Infinity" – Mac Miller
  • 2012: "Girl of My Life" – Mint Condition (scratches)
  • 2013: Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 4 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
  • 2013: "Classic" – Shad (co-production)
  • 2013: "Red Hot Flo (From Kokomo) (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)"
  • 2013: "Be Free (DJ Jazzy Jeff & James Poyser Remix" – Moonchild
  • 2014: Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 5 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
  • 2014: "World is Our Playground (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)" – DJ Vice
  • 2014: "We Are One (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)" – Terry Hunter
  • 2014: "Room Test" – Dayne Jordan (producer)
  • 2014: "All About the Art" – Dayne Jordan and James Poyser (producer)
  • 2014: "I Want It All" – Dayne Jordan (producer)
  • 2014: "Play Dat!" – DJ Jazzy Jeff featuring Dayne Jordan
  • 2014: "Lost" – Dayne Jordan (producer)
  • 2014: "Fellow" – Dayne Jordan (producer)
  • 2015: Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 6 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
  • 2016: Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 7 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
  • 2017: "Chasing Goosebumps" – The PLAYlist (executive producer)
  • 2017: Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 8 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: DJ Jazzy Jeff para niños

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