Stage Name: Jive the Universal
Real Name: Michael
Hometown: Hackettstown, NJ
Look up Truth in the dictionary and I am sure you will find a picture of Jive The Universal. A true emcee, a true musician, a true audio genius, and most important; a true man. A man who only speaks the truth, finds faith in Jesus Christ, and a man who truly knows his identity. Jive, continually reinvents himself through music. He also finds time to perfect the work done by others in his personal studio; The Stiz. He is an emcee who can sing; and yet a singer who can emcee... he is not one or the other he is the essence of both. Throughout Jives work he will morph from rap cadence to melody and back around without interruption. Seamlessly manipulating his listeners to the point where they are addicted. I proudly introduce you to Jive The Universal...
Q&A
How did you come up with your stage name?
Well, it was a bit of a morphing process. When i was 17, my whole crew was delivering pizzas for all the different pizzerias in town. We all had CB's hooked up in our cars so we could talk and tell each other where the cops were hiding out. It was like a big party line, good times. Apparently the etiquette of citizen band radio is to have someone else give you your 'handle'. Needless to say, i was always rappin and singin when there was dead airspace. These dudes "Crazy Eddy" and "Mr. Big Stuff" thought it was mad funny and came up with "The Jive Man" for me. I went with it, eventually dropping the "Man". Later on, i added the "Universal" because i got so thoroughly involved in so many aspects of music. I sang, rhymed, played guitar & bass, ran a recording studio, wrote songs, produced beats, and whatever else i got into that i can't remember right now. Universal is just a reference to the various attributes now in my repertoire.
Has it always been this name? If not; what were some earlier names?
My first name was Dynamike, and my first studio was called Dynamike Studios. The name got played out quick, and i eventually found a few other people using the same name. I was also pretty wack then. . .haha.
What got you into being an emcee?
A Tribe Called Quest did. I was already playing bass guitar when i really got into hip-hop. The more i listened, the more i wanted to be a part of it.
When did you spit your first rhyme? What was the topic? Do you remember and pieces of it (write a few of the bars)?
Haha, have fun finding an honest emcee that will actually answer this question.
What is your inspiration?
Jesus Christ, my beautiful wife, and my 3 little mans, in that order.
At what point of your career do you feel you truly developed who you are as an artist; and what do you feel contributed to this?
Oh man, hmmm. . . well, i've always been an original dude. My music never sounded like anyone else, even if it was half garbage in the beginning. As i grew in my faith and grew as a man, my music matured with me. I could apply the originality properly, and the outcome would work. On that note, i'm claiming the first rapper ever to rhyme over the 7/4 time signature. 90% of cats won't even know what that means, but for those that do - it'll rock your world. The track is called "I Can't Stop" from my album "Helping You Feel Better"
How many albums do you have and what are their names?
one solo album called "Helping You Feel Better"
one EP with my old rock band Advantage to Crush, it was called "The Observers EP"
i was a part of about half of Nine Circles new album called "Situations"
the rest is just demos and collabos.
At this current moment; what is your favorite part of hip hop?
At this current moment; what do you hate about hip hop?
I hate that mainstream hip-hop is mostly elementary. I miss the lyrics of 90's hip hop. I feel like producers are pushing the limits, but the emcees are just stayin the same. I know there are a bunch of exceptions, but i'm speaking about hip hop as a whole.
Best Emcee now: (and why)
Pharoahe Monch - hands down. Lyrics- dude has more wordplay and well thought out punchlines than anyone out. Flow- his phrasing and rhyme schemes are so complex, you could listen for years before understanding/following it all. He's got as much rhythm with his words as Hendrix had with his guitar.
Best Emcee 10 years ago: (and why)
Big Pun, though Mos and Common were dope then too.
Actually, can i say Pharoahe Monch again?
What do you hope people would say about you as an artist?
He's dope, and there is no one that sounds anything like him.
Worst Emcee now: (and why)
There are so many emcees, actually i should call them rappers, either way there are a ton that i can't tolerate at the moment.
I'm not much of a trash talker though, so they'll remain nameless.
Worst Emcee 10 years ago: (and why)
Whoever it was, they aren't using up any of my brain space.
Hardest part of hip hop for you?
Finding the time. Some people say hip hop is life, but my priorities are straight. . . some people may hate, but there are some things in my life that come before music.
Best all around hip hop song ever...
for me, it's Common "The Light"
Finish these sentences:
Hip Hop should thank: Jesus Christ
When i write i: try not to get stuck in my own box, or make anything routine.
When you listen to my music: have an open mind. Different doesn't mean bad, it just means you gotta give it a few more listens. It'll be worth it.
In my music; i shock myself the most when: i hear something in my head and i can get it on paper - or lay it down in the Stiz just how i heard it.
My favorite type of track is: one that makes you think
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What should we look forward to from you?
Maybe a song or two here and there ;)
upcoming shows?
Maybe an official cd release show, but we'll see - most of my time is spent in the Stiz
upcoming songs/albums?
I'm actually thinking about putting out a rock EP. Not like Weezy, but legit. Rock music is half of me. I have a bunch of songs that i never did anything with, i just need to assemble the project properly.
future collabs?Got some stuff in the works with my R&B homie and super producer - D.Roc. We see what else comes my way.
Anything else?
If you wanna buy my album - it's on iTunes, Amazon (mp3 and hard copy), Rhapsody, Napster, and a bunch more places.
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