Hard to imagine a rapper so respected in New York City underground circles can come to Austin on just a little more than a whisper, but that’s the case with J-Live, who recently latched on a Sunday set at Paradise (above Nadine’s) on Sixth Street after Saturday’s long-scheduled show in Dallas.
A New York native, J-Live was a latecomer to the post-boom bap scene but still managed to make a lasting impression with his much-delayed debut, The Best Part. Adding a certain slyness to the teachings of Big Daddy Kane, The Best Part was what Live himself described as the “True School Anthem,” an artifact of New York’s streets in the same vein as Pharoahe Monch’s Internal Affairs.
His more recent work – three LPs, three EPs, and the recently released Early Works of J-Live box set – may not stir up as much dirt under the herd’s feet, but J-Live still moves with a heavy step. Queens wack rapper Homeboy Sandman and ATX growler Feddi Man open.
Those who can’t make it down to Austin Music Hall Friday night to see Switch and Diplo join forces as Major Lazer can catch the club-hop gurus mix it up with A-Trak, DJ AM, and Matt & Kim at Speakeasy’s 12th anniversary party after AMH empties out. RSVP here.
This article appears in July 3 • 2009.