- Johnny J also knew how to rap !!!
- Discover the funky and sexy west coast vibe of 2Pac most important producer
- Fully produced by Johnny J, featuring Y?N-Vee, Syke...
In front, three members from Y?N-Vee with their specific dressing
Capucine Jackson, Johnny's wife, in red, Syke in the background
Additional vocals by Capucine Jackson (1,2,3,6), Y?N-Vee (2), Nikki (4,6), Prop'a Vee (4,5)
West Side G-Funk producer
Before producing for Tupac, Johnny J early produced for West Coast artists : most of the first album of MC TNT (here featured) in 1988-1990, the two first albums of MC Candyman with his superhits "Melt in your Mouth" and "Knockin Boots" in 1990-1991. Then some songs for the latino rapper Biggy Smallz and of course the whole Evil Mind Gangsta's album (Big Syke, Mental & Domino).
At the time of recordings of his album (1993-1994), Johnny J had produced half of the first project of Thug Life album (cf. Thug Life Original, only a small part will be published in mid 94).
Music given to 2Pac
"Better Off" has the beat that Johnny J will re-use for "Picture Me Rollin'" in 1996. Johnny J will also give the beat of "It's a Wonderful Day" to 2Pac for "Everything They Own", a song recorded for his second Death Row album (cf. Euthanasia Supreme).
Let's notice that Johnny J had produced the Mel-Low song "Return of the Player" for his eponymous album in 1993 (it seems that the promo album edited by Def Jam and with Redman participation in 3 tracks, never knew an official release before 2017...), a song that uses the same music than Outlaw Immortalz "Penitentiary Bound" (is there a Pac verse ?). In the same way, he gave 2Pac a beat he used in "Nobody Rides 4 Free" for the original Biggy Smallz, a latino rapper (not the Live Squad member who died in early 94). And it became the unreleased "If There's a Cure" with Snoop Dogg.
So we could say that Johnny J gave everything he could to 2Pac. It was sure that like many, he felt that 2Pac would be one of the most important hip hop phenomenon.
