J. Rawls
American hip-hop musician and educator (1974–
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jason Daniel Rawls (born February 27, 1974[2]), known professionally as J. Rawls, is an American hip-hop musician, producer, DJ, educator, and speaker based in Columbus, Ohio.[3] He emerged in the late 1990s underground hip hop scene, contributing to projects such as Black Star's's debut album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Stars.[4][5] He is the producer of the group Lone Catalysts with rapper J Sands.[6][7]
February 27, 1974
J. Rawls | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jason Daniel Rawls[1] February 27, 1974 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip-hop |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Label | Polar Entertainment |
| Member of |
|
| Website | www |
Rawls has collaborated with various artists, including Grand Agent.[8] Rawls runs a Columbus-based production company and record label, and performs as a DJ.[9]
Music career
Throughout his career, Rawls has developed a diverse body of work. His solo albums include The Essence of J. Rawls (2001), The Hip-Hop Affect (2011), and The Legacy (2014).[10] He is a member of the duo 3582 with Fat Jon of Five Deez,[11] and has collaborated on projects such as Respect Game or Expect Flames (2012)[12] with Casual of Hieroglyphics and Youth Culture Power (2019) with John Robinson, a jazz-infused album addressing challenges in educating inner-city youth.[13]
Academic career
In addition to his musical career, Rawls has established an academic profile. He holds a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Cincinnati, a master's degree in education from Ashland University, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Ohio University.[14] He has served as an adjunct instructor and visiting artist, teaching courses in hip hop and music business, and has co-authored Youth Culture Power: A #HipHopEd Guide to Teacher-Student Relationships and Student Engagement.[15] Rawls also directs the Hip-Hop OHIO Patton Education Program at Ohio University's Patton College of Education.[16][17]
Discography
Studio albums
- The Essence of J. Rawls (2001)
- The Living Soul (2001) (with Fat Jon, as 3582)
- Hip Hop (2001) (with J Sands, as Lone Catalysts)
- Situational Ethics (2003) (with Fat Jon, as 3582)
- Histories Greatest Battles, Campaigns & Topics (2003)
- The Essence of Soul (2005)
- Good Music (2005) (with J Sands, as Lone Catalysts)
- The Liquid Crystal Project (2006)
- It's the Dank & Jammy Show (2007) (with Declaime)
- True Ohio Playas (2007) (with Count Bass D)
- J. Rawls Presents Holmskillit (2007) (with Holmskillit)
- Square Binizz (2007) (with J Sands, as Lone Catalysts)
- The Liquid Crystal Project 2 (2008)
- Rawls & Middle (2008) (with Middle Child)
- The 1960s Jazz Revolution Again (2009) (with John Robinson, as Jay Are)
- The Hip-Hop Affect (2011)
- Back To School (2011) (with J Sands, as Lone Catalysts)
- The Liquid Crystal Project 3 (2012)
- Respect Game or Expect Flames (2012) (with Casual)
- The Legacy (2014)
- Culture (2017) (with J Sands, as Lone Catalysts)
- #jazzhop (2022)
- The Confidence of Knowing (2024) (with Talib Kweli)
EPs
- Rawlzey (2015) (with Coolzey)
- The Profit (2019) (with Nova)
- Valor (2020) (with Eloh Kush)[18]
Productions
- Mos Def & Talib Kweli - "Brown Skin Lady" and "Yo Yeah" from Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998)
- Doseone - "Spitfire", "Self Explanatory", "That Ol' Pagan Shit", and "Genres" from Hemispheres (1998)
- Themselves - "Directions to My Special Place" from Them (2000)
- Rasco - "Living Voices" from Hostile Environment (2001)
- Moka Only - “String Beans (No Sunshine)” from Dirty Jazz (2005)
- El Da Sensei - "Lights, Camera, Action!" from The Unusual (2006)
- Capital Steez - "Infinity and Beyond" from AmeriKKKan Korruption (2012)
- MHz Legacy - "Columbus Diss Patch" from MHz Legacy (2012)
- Cas Metah & Wonder Brown - "Drowning Man" from The Darke Bros (2012)
