JazO The Great's Page

Hometown

Brooklyn, New York

About Me

The name JazO a.k.a. Big Jaz has been a mainstay in the music industry for over 20 years. The Marcy House, Bedford-Stuyvesant; Brooklyn born and raised rap veteran has initiated the careers the likes of Jay Z, Sauce Money, Memphis Bleek and The Lox to name a few. Recalling his first rhyme as far back as the age of 14, he recorded his first song, "HP Gets Busy" at the age of 21. This song featured his 16 year old protégé, Jay Z and two others. In 1986 JazO teamed up with known producer for the Fat Boys, Fresh Gordon to create the answer to RUN DMC's "My Adidas" with "My Fila". The young writer/rapper-producer moved on continuing his reign of terror in the streets, destroying unknowing challengers in MC battles locally and regional. Some of his victims are LL COOL J, Dana Dane, Just-Ice and many others.

In 1989 JazO blasted onto the video scene with his first major debut single, "Hawaiian Sophie" and a debut feature on The O'Jays number one single "Have you had your love today?". JazO was the first rap artist ever signed to EMI Records. He released 2 albums and an EP from 1989-1991. During this time Jaz produced his own songs along with Prince Paul, The Large Professor, The 45 King and others. After taking a hiatus in 1992, JazO re-emerged producing the classic "Ain't No Nigga" for Jay Z in 1996. Jaz continued his string of production classics for Jay Z including "In My Lifetime" the remix, "Rap Game, Crack Game" and featured on his cuts "Bring It On" and "Jigga Who? Jigga What?". From that period to date, Jaz has accumulated volumes of songs of his own to be released in 2006 titled JazO: THE LIVING LEGEND (Kingz Kounty Entertainment Inc.) Being the producer of the demo that got The Lox their deal with Bad Boy in '96, JazO has blessed the likes of Rakim, M.O.P., Foxy Brown, Queen Latifah, Kool G Rap and numerous others. But Jaz is most well known for his 'triplet style' of rhyming which he is majestically titled "The Originator". JazO currently has a new single "Be There" which will be followed up with a similarly titled DVD documentary "JAZ-O: Be There".

Professionally known as Jaz, Big Jaz, and Jaz-O; is the discoverer, lyrical tutor, and career launcher of Jay-Z (Rocafella Records mogul; multi-platinum recording artist and former CEO of Def Jam/Universal). J. Burks coordinated studio schedule and headed promotions and sales as an independent consultant to Rocafella Records. He also mentored Irv Gotti (The I.N.C., Ja Rule and Ashanti' fame), and music producer Chad Elliott (Destiny's Child, Salt & Pepa, Heavy D., The Jaz, Jodeci, DMX; Director of Artist & Repertoire for Urban Music at Sony/BMG) among many others. A +20 year writer/publisher member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers), Mr. Burks is a creative genius experienced in all aspects of the music industry. Jaz-O is a true-to-form artist-writer/producer-arranger, and self-made businessman.

Zip Code

11206

Gender

Male

Relationship Status:

Single

Orientation

Straight

Ethnicity

Black/African

Physical Type

Athletic

Height

6'0"-6'3"

What do you do?

Sing, Rap, Act

(DJ's) Drop your biggest projects and site URLs

www.myspace.com/jazomusic
www.twitter.com/jazo9XsGreat