Jaz-O facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jaz-O
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Jaz-O in 2000
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jonathan Allen Burks |
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| Born | October 4, 1964 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
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| Years active | 1986–present |
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Jonathan Allen Burks Sr. (born October 4, 1964), known by his stage name Jaz-O, is an American rapper and music producer. He was very active in the late 1980s and 1990s. Many people remember him as the mentor who helped and taught fellow Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z when Jay-Z was just starting his career. Burks, who was nicknamed "the Originator," first introduced Jay-Z on his 1986 song "H. P. Gets Busy." Jaz-O signed with EMI and released three studio albums: Word to the Jaz (1989), To Your Soul (1990), and Kingz Kounty (2002). His first extended play (EP), The Warmup (2021), was released through Roc Nation's Equity Distribution. Jaz-O has also produced music for many other famous artists like Puff Daddy, Rakim, Queen Latifah, and M.O.P..
Early Life and Beginnings
Jonathan Burks was born in the Brooklyn area of New York City. He grew up in a place called Marcy Houses. He first went to college to become an accountant. However, a friend encouraged him to try rapping. He was also inspired after hearing the song "Roxanne, Roxanne" by the group UTFO. This made him decide to become a rapper instead.
Music Career
Starting Out and Signing with EMI USA
Jaz-O and Jay-Z grew up in the same neighborhood. They met and became friends, with Jaz-O teaching Jay-Z about rapping. Around 1986, the two rappers formed a group called High Potent for a short time. Even though the group didn't last long, they recorded and released several songs that year. After this, Jaz-O signed a record deal with EMI USA.
First Album: Word to the Jaz (1989)
After signing with EMI USA, Jaz-O traveled to London to record his first album. Jay-Z and future music executive Irv Gotti (who was Jaz-O's DJ at the time) joined him. After finishing the album, Jaz-O released his debut, Word to the Jaz. Jaz-O, Bryan "Chuck" New, and Pete Q. Harris produced the album. It reached number 87 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
The album featured Jay-Z on the song "Hawaiian Sophie." This song became popular, reaching number 18 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. Another single from the album, "Let's Play House"/"Buss the Speaker," reached number 26 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. Jaz-O also appeared as a guest on The O'Jays's song "Have You Had Your Love Today" in 1989.
Second Album: To Your Soul (1990)
Jaz-O released his second album, To Your Soul, on July 16, 1990. While this album didn't appear on the main Billboard charts, its two singles did well. "The Originators" reached No. 13, and "A Groove (This Is What U Rap 2)" reached No. 18 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. Like his first album, Jay-Z was the only guest artist, appearing on two songs.
Working Behind the Scenes (1991–1996)
After his second album, Jaz-O left his record label. He then started working more as a music producer behind the scenes. He helped the group The Lox by producing a demo tape for them. This tape was very important for their successful career. Singer Mary J. Blige received the tape and passed it to Bad Boy CEO Sean "Puffy" Combs. Combs liked what he heard and soon signed The Lox to a deal.
Helping Jay-Z's Early Success (1996–1998)
In the late 1990s, Jaz-O played a big part in Jay-Z's early solo career. Jaz-O produced "Rap Game," a song on Jay-Z's second album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, released in 1997. Jaz-O also produced two songs for Jay-Z's Streets Is Watching album. This album did very well, reaching #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It was released on May 12, 1998, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Records.
Reunion with Jay-Z and Roc Nation (2017–Present)
In December 2017, Jaz-O and Jay-Z met again at Jay-Z's 4:44 concert. This seemed to end any past disagreements between them. In 2019, news came out that they had made a music deal. Jaz-O's Kingz Kounty Media Group would have its music distributed through Roc Nation's Equity Distribution.
On February 7, 2020, Jaz-O released an extended play (EP) called The Warmup. It was released through Kingz Kounty Media Group and distributed by Roc Nation's Equity Distribution. In 2021, Jaz-O moved his "Kingz Kounty Music Group" to Rival Distribution. He released "Lookin' Like," a song with Nipsey Hussle, on July 2, 2021.
Musical Style
Influences
Jaz-O says that Grandmaster Caz was an important early influence for him. Caz was the artist who made Jaz-O decide to become a rapper.
Rhyming Style
Jaz-O was a pioneer of the "triplet flow" in rapping. This style allows a rapper to fit more than sixteen syllables into a standard music measure (4/4 time signature). By adding extra syllables, the rapper can create a rhythm that sounds like triplets of eighth notes. Since the 1990s, this triplet rhyme technique has become very common among respected hip-hop lyricists. Some other rappers known for this technique include his former student Jay-Z, as well as Twista, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Fu-Schnickens, and Tech N9ne.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Word to the Jaz (1989)
- To Your Soul (1990)
- Kingz Kounty (2002) (with The Immobilarie)
Extended Plays
- Ya Don't Stop (1991)
- The Warmup (2020)
Production Credits
Besides being a rapper, Jaz-O has produced songs for many other hip hop artists. These include Group Home, M.O.P, Ras Kass, Rakim, and Kool G Rap.
- 1995: Group Home – "4 Give My Sins" on the album Livin' Proof
- 1996: Jay-Z – "In My Lifetime" (Remix)
- 1996: M.O.P. – "Born 2 Kill"; "World Famous"; "Lifestyles of a Ghetto Child" on the album Firing Squad
- 1997: P Diddy – "I Got the Power" (featuring The Lox) on the album No Way Out
- 1997: Jay-Z – "Rap Game / Crack Game" on the album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
- 1998: Ras Kass – "H2O Proof" on the album Rasassination
- 1998: Queen Latifah – "Court Is in Session" on the album Order in the Court
- 1999: Rakim – "It's a Must" on the album The Master
- 2002: Kool G Rap – "Black Widow" on the album The Giacana Story
- 2002: GZA – "Legend of the Liquid Sword" on the album Legend of the Liquid Sword
