Jaz-O facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jaz-O
Jaz-O in 2000
Background information
Birth name	Jonathan Allen Burks
Also known as	The Jaz Big Jaz
Born	(1964-10-04) October 4, 1964 (age 60) Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Genres	East Coast hip-hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper songwriter record producer
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Equity Kingz Kounty Media Roc Nation EMI USA Rancore

Jonathan Allen Burks Sr. (born October 4, 1964), known as Jaz-O, is an American rapper and music producer. He became famous in the late 1980s and 1990s. Many people remember him as the person who helped and taught fellow Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z when Jay-Z was starting out. Jaz-O was even called "the Originator." He first showed Jay-Z to the world on his 1986 song "H. P. Gets Busy".

Jaz-O signed with EMI and released two albums: Word to the Jaz (1989) and To Your Soul (1990). His first short album, called The Warmup (2021), was released by Equity Distribution. This company is part of Jay-Z's Roc Nation. Jaz-O has also produced music for many other artists. These include Puff Daddy, Rakim, Queen Latifah, and M.O.P..

Early Life and Music Start

Jonathan Burks was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He grew up in the Marcy Houses, which is a housing project. He first went to college to study accounting. But a friend told him to try rapping after he heard Grandmaster Caz. He was also inspired by the song "Roxanne, Roxanne" by UTFO.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Out and EMI Deal

Jaz-O and Jay-Z grew up in the same neighborhood. They met and became friends. Jaz-O taught Jay-Z a lot about rapping. Around 1986, they formed a rap group called High Potent. The group didn't last long, but they recorded several songs. Soon after, Jaz-O got a record deal with EMI USA. He was the first rap artist to sign with EMI Records. He also received a large amount of money to start his music.

First Album: Word to the Jaz (1989)

After signing with EMI USA, Jaz-O went to London to record his first album. Jay-Z and Irv Gotti, who was Jaz-O's DJ, joined him. Jaz-O released his first album, Word to the Jaz, in 1989. The album reached number 87 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Jay-Z was featured on the song "Hawaiian Sophie." This song became popular, reaching number 18 on the Hot Rap Songs chart.

Second Album: To Your Soul (1990)

Jaz-O released his second album, To Your Soul, in July 1990. This album did not appear on the main music charts. However, two of its songs, "The Originators" and "A Groove (This Is What U Rap 2)," were hits. They reached numbers 13 and 18 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. Jay-Z was also featured on two songs on this album.

Working Behind the Scenes (1991–1996)

After his second album, Jaz-O left his record label. He started working as a music producer for other artists. He helped The Lox by producing a demo tape for them. This tape helped them start their successful career. Singer Mary J. Blige heard the tape and gave it to Bad Boy CEO Sean "Puffy" Combs. Puff Daddy liked the music and 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 and was featured on "... No ...," a song from Jay-Z's 1996 first album, Reasonable Doubt. This song was very important in helping Jay-Z get a record deal with Def Jam.

Jaz-O also produced "Rap Game / Crack Game" for Jay-Z's second album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, in 1997. He produced two more songs for Jay-Z's Streets Is Watching album in 1998. This album did very well, reaching number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

In 1999, Jaz-O was on Jay-Z's song "... What, ... Who (Originator 99)." This song was a big hit for Jaz-O. However, this was one of the last times they worked together. Their friendship soon changed.

Differences with Jay-Z and Kingz Kounty (1999–2016)

Jaz-O and Jay-Z had a long-standing disagreement. It started when Jay-Z created Roc-A-Fella Records. He wanted Jaz-O and rapper Sauce Money to sign with his new label. But they both said no. It is thought that they did not trust the label's leaders. Also, they were not happy with the money they would get if they signed. Jay-Z later mentioned this in a song, saying Jaz-O "could've made more but he ain't sign his contract."

Instead of joining Roc-A-Fella, Jaz-O signed with Rancore Records. He then formed a hip-hop group called Immobilarie. With this group, he released an album called Jaz-O & The Immobilarie Family Present: Kingz Kounty.

Jay-Z later released a song that spoke negatively about Jaz-O. Jaz-O responded with his own songs. Even during their disagreement, Jay-Z still gave Jaz-O credit for his success in some songs.

Reunion with Jay-Z (2017–Present)

In December 2017, Jaz-O and Jay-Z met again at Jay-Z's 4:44 concert. This seemed to end their long disagreement. In 2019, it was reported that they had made a music deal. Jaz-O's Kingz Kounty Media Group would have its music shared through Roc Nation's Equity Distribution.

On February 7, 2020, Jaz-O released a short album called The Warmup. It was released by Kingz Kounty Media Group and distributed by Roc Nation.

Since then, Jaz-O has moved his Kingz Kounty Music Group to Rival Distribution. On July 2, 2021, he released a song called "Lookin' Like" with Nipsey Hussle.

Musical Style

Influences

Jaz-O says that Grandmaster Caz was a big influence on him. Caz was the artist who made Jaz-O decide to become a rapper.

Rhyming and Flow Style

Jaz-O was a pioneer of the triplet flow in rap. This style allows a rapper to use more syllables in their rhymes. It makes the rap sound more complex and interesting. Since the 1990s, this triplet rhyme technique has become very common. Many respected hip-hop artists use it. Some famous rappers known for this style include his former student Jay-Z, Twista, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

Personal Life

Jaz-O was a known member of the Nuwaubian Nation in the 1980s. Their beliefs and symbols were often seen in his early music. Their fashion also influenced his clothing style.

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)

Singles

Production Work

Jaz-O is not only a rapper but also a talented producer. He has produced songs for many hip-hop artists besides Jay-Z. These include Group Home, M.O.P, Ras Kass, Rakim, and Kool G Rap.

Solo Production Credits

• 1995: Group Home – "4 Give My Sins" | Livin' Proof
• 1996: Jay-Z – "Ain't No ..." (featuring Foxy Brown) | Reasonable Doubt / The Nutty Professor (soundtrack)
• 1996: Stephanie Cooke – "Live W/ Yo Self" | Tricky Presents Grassroots
• 1996: Da Rahnjaz – "Daily Basis" | 12"
• 1996: M.O.P. – "Born 2 Kill"; "World Famous"; "Lifestyles of a Ghetto Child"; "Born 2 Kill" (Jazz Mix)" | Firing Squad
• 1997: Teflon – "Gotta Get Ova" | My Will
• 1997: Memphis Bleek – "4 BKLYN/Hard Days | 12"
• 1997: P Diddy – "I Got the Power" (featuring The Lox) | No Way Out
• 1997: Jay-Z – "Rap Game / Crack Game"" | In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
• 1998: Usual Suspects – "Crazy" | Streets Is Watching (soundtrack)
• 1998: Ras Kass – "H2O Proof" | Rasassination
• 1998: Queen Latifah – "Court Is in Session" | Order in the Court
• 1999: Rakim – "It's a Must" | The Master
• 1999: Memphis Bleek – "Live Life 2 tha Fullest" | Thicker than Water (soundtrack)
• 2000: KT – "Bang Out" | 12"
• 2000: Sauce Money – "Chart Climbin'" | Middle Finger U / 3 Strikes (soundtrack)
• 2002: Kool G Rap – "Black Widow" | The Giacana Story
• 2002: GZA – "Legend of the Liquid Sword" | Legend of the Liquid Sword