Fri, Feb 2 - 9pm - $12adv/$15door

 New York based MC J-Live was born Jean-Jacques Cadet. He is commonly known as Justice Allah since adopting the culture of the 5% Nation in the mid 90s while attending State University of New York at Albany. He first garnered notice with the release of his 1995 single "Bragging Writes".Delivering his thoughtful lyrics with confidence and ease, J-Live's rapping was strong and his soul-inflected grooves immediately appealed to fans of underground hip-hop. A year later he followed up with another hit, "Hush the Crowd", and started to generate a palpable buzz. With tracks produced by luminaries such as Prince Paul, DJ Premier, and Pete Rock, the release of J-Live's full-length debut, "The Best Part", was hotly anticipated and the future looked promising for the ascendant MC.At this point, though, J-Live was beset by a host of troubles. Amidst constant label shuffling and plagued by a series of illegal bootlegs, the release of "The Best Part" was delayed for four years. There was some talk that J-Live was behind some of the bootlegs -- a few of which were of extremely high quality -- and the ongoing saga became something of an underground legend.In the interim, J-Live worked as an eighth-grade teacher in Brooklyn, NY, and continued to embellish and refine his debut. He kept good company, making cameo appearances on strong albums like Handsome Boy Modeling School's "So...How's Your Girl?" and J. Rawls' "The Essence of J. Rawls". The Best Part finally enjoyed its official release in the fall of 2001. All of the Above followed one year later, and 2003 brought a two-part mini-LP tribute to his early days, Always Has Been and Always Will Be. J-Live released his third LP, "The Hear After", in 2005 on the Penalty (Ryko) label and followed up with the "Reveal the Secret" EP in 2007. "Then What Happened?" debuted on BBE Records the following year.He then began to put out his own records and released the "Undivided Attention EP" in 2010 as a prelude to 2011's full length release "S.P.T.A. Said Person of that Ability". He has since changed his longtime corporate identity of Triple Threat Productions Inc to Mortier Music LLC. As an emcee, dee jay, producer, J-Live's music, old and new, continues to be a staple of inspiration for listeners of underground hip hop.

 Boasting a highly sought-after, jazzy sound and an industrious tour ethic, Pseudo Slang’s Emcee Sick and Dj Form have maintained a staggering show schedule touring for the greater part of the last decade+ including Europe, the US, and Canada. The PSlangers are rolling strong as they work with Rawhead and the homies at Sub-Bombin Records on their forthcoming full-length "Fumble For My Pen" for which the 12" vinyl single "Cyclical" drops January 2015. Pseudo Slang continue to tour in support of this new single and of course their highly-acclaimed full-length “We’ll Keep Looking” (Fat Beats Records, 2009) which continues to make HUGE noise across the globe. Their German Import 7” vinyl single Pseudo Slang X Trucker Stroe “Cool Letter Man” ThinkLoud Records is also still available, and of course search around the world and the web for PS features on other artists' releases, and on mixtapes and compilations.When the PSlangers last took a dip across the pond for a European Tour they released their "Till It Ends" EP with Rawhead (Sub-Bombin Records, NY), which has whet the appetite for all the upcoming dopeness PS has in store. With all the touring on the slate catching a PShow is totally within the realm of possibility - here's what people have to say about Pseudo Slang:“This is what would’ve happened if Digable Planets formed a super group with Slum Village.” - okayplayer.com“Pseudo Slang is the thinking fan’s kind of hip-hop” - Chicago Sun Times“When I first heard Pseudo Slang ‘Yes Doubt’ I was floored, and it became my #1 Song of 2008. I’ve been doing radio for 18 years but few songs ever gave me chills, ‘Yes Doubt’ was one of them. I can’t wait for the album.”- Dj 3rd Rail Chicago DJ and Radio Legend, 89.3FM WNUR, DJ3RDRAIL.COM <http://DJ3RDRAIL.COM>“Fat Beats have signed a great act here and we hope to hear more of their output if the standard of production and rhymes are like these.”- Fat City Records

 In a new era of genre-bending music, Makaya McCraven pushes the boundaries of sound and rhythm to create categories of his own. Called “a sound visionary” (jazzinchicago.org) who is “not your everyday jazz drummer” (thewordisbond.com), McCraven is a beat scientist. Whether behind the drums or in the lab, mixmaster Makaya McCraven moves between genres at lightning speed. “You are listening to one incredible musician. His style and sound is unique, a heady, skillful, sophisticated and boldly uncompromising mix of jazz and hiphop” (UKVibe). Makaya’s breakthrough debut 2XLP, “In the Moment” (International Anthem, 2015) has garnered international attention, earning critical acclaim from The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, BBC (Gilles Peterson’s “Album of the Week”), and NPR. “In the Moment” is one of DownBeat and Pop Matters’ Top Jazz Albums of 2015. UK’s The Wire writes, “While Teo Macero’s work with Miles [Davis] might seem the obvious reference point, ‘In The Moment’ is closer in spirit to Madlib and J Dilla.” Jazz Times calls “In The Moment” “mesmerizing” and “an important document.”  Makaya has shared the stage with a host of great artists such as Charles Neville, Lionel Louke, Soulive, Marcus Strickland, and Bernie Worrell. He has toured extensively, including a 52-city national tour opening for Steely Dan with The Bobby Broom OrganiSation. Makaya endorses Vic Firth sticks and Istanbul AGOP Cymbals.  Makaya McCraven layers his extensive experience with hip hop bands, African dance bands, Hungarian folk music, and indie rock on top of a deep history of “straight ahead” jazz, improvisation, and the avantgarde with beats, sampling, and electronics as a form of unique self expression.