Def Jef facts for kids

Def Jef is the stage name for Jeffrey Fortson, a talented American musician and rapper. He was born on September 27, 1970, in Harlem, New York City. Def Jef became well-known in the late 1980s and early 1990s for his unique style of hip hop.

Early Music Career

Def Jef released his first album in 1989, called Just a Poet with a Soul. This album was praised by critics because of its thoughtful lyrics about social topics and its fresh, original music beats.

Working with Other Artists

In 1990, Def Jef joined a group of hip hop artists from the West Coast called the West Coast Rap All-Stars. They released a song together called "We're All in the Same Gang." This song was created to promote peace and speak out against violence. Def Jef also performed on the popular television show In Living Color in 1990, showing off his skills to a wider audience.

Becoming a Music Producer

After releasing his second album, Soul Food, Def Jef started focusing more on producing music for other artists. Since the 1990s, he has worked with many famous musicians. He has helped create, write, arrange, and remix songs for stars like Nas, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, Tupac Shakur, and even basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal. He also collaborated with Krayzie Bone and Thugline Records.

Creating TV Theme Songs

Def Jef has also produced theme songs for popular television shows. He created the catchy theme song for the Disney sitcom That's So Raven, which many kids and teens enjoyed. He also produced the theme song for The Game, another well-known TV series.

Acting Roles

Besides his music career, Def Jef has also appeared in movies. He acted in the feature film Deep Cover in 1992.

Music Releases

• 1989: Just a Poet with Soul
• 1990: "We're All in the Same Gang" (single, with the West Coast Rap All-Stars)
• 1991: Soul Food

External links