...And the Hip-Hop industry was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the underground . . . and out of that darkness came a GOD for the Hip-Hop Universe that begot a man . . .his name . . . was Father Jah. That is just one of many introductions that can be given to this self-made, entrepreneur known simply to the world as Father Jah.
With more than 10 yr. of dominating the underground music scene, Father Jah has truly paved his own way in this world we now officially call hip-hop. Father Jah, a.k.a. Hen X the Stile, was slangin his packaged tapes of original music as a young teen in the early 1990’s, already working towards the goal of becoming one of industries next top Hip-Hop Moguls. By using his own "black owned and un-dependent philosophy", Father Jah is said to be the most self sufficient underground artists in the Midwest, mastering everything from, rhyming, producing, engineering, graphic design, artist development, retail, marketing, and promotions, as well as being a Hip-Hop Historian. In 1992 Father Jah, then known as Hen X the Stile, made his first six track EP, which he co-produced and wrote himself, entitled "Countdown to the Beatdown".
Since then, Father Jah has created several albums and worked along side numerous artist in the underground hip hop circuit. Though based in Kentucky, Father Jah has toured independently all across the United States collaborating,building, and chopping game, while simultaneously building an unstopable resume that would include collaborations with nationally known artists such as Lil Jon, Nappy Roots, M1 of Dead Prez, Imam Thug, Native, Kingpin Skinny Pimp, Dinco D of Leaders of the New School, and Shawn J of Field Mob, to modestly name a few.
Father Jah is best known for 4 unique bodies of work, "The Black Sunrise" (1999), "The Mudd Nigguhz"(2001), "The Real Nigguh Bible"(2002), and his most recent offering "Philosophies of a Modern Day Mastermind"(2008). Each of these albums documents his growth in writing, producing and arranging.By taking heed to trial and error, Father Jah has created his own formula for success based on networking, planning, a strong work ethic, balanced with an unyielding drive to out perform himself.
On his latest CD, the concept album "Philosophies of a Modern Day Mastermind", Father Jah blesses his listeners with a double CD worth of material (24 tracks total), where he uninhibitedly pounces from song to song articulating struggle, joy, progress, and pain, while still managing to cleverly quench the thirst for QUALITY hip hop entertainment. In addition to just music, the CD cover is also accompanied by the "Bad Nigguh Philosophies 1-10" which covers topics ranging from defining yourself, community/hood empowerment, snitching, hustler's unity,usage of the word nigger and what is a "bad nigguh".
In closing, what Father Jah brings to the table is a glimpse back to the era in hip hop culture when MC's sought to present their thoughts to the world, and still be fly, yet unique. With his unparalleled writing ability, commanding flow, and in your face live performances, coupled with his experience and a powerful, yet comfortable sense of identity,Father Jah might be the missing piece to today's hip hop puzzle.
Read more...