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Tupac
Shakur
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Veteran
Producer Johnny “J” and Former Outlawz Member Napoleon
Release Tribute to Tupac Shakur on September 7
Johnny
“J” and Klockwork Entertainment will release a tribute
record in honor of the late Tupac Shakur on September 7, 2004.
Johnny teamed up with artist/rapper Napoleon, who is
Tupac’s protégée and a former member of the Outlawz.
One of the first records this famed duo recorded was
“Never Forget”, the aforementioned tribute, featuring
songstress Val Young (“To Live and Die in LA”).
It
is the debut of Napoleon as a solo artist and the debut of
Johnny’s first artist on his label.
Born in
Juarez, Mexico, Johnny Jackson, known to the music world as
Johnny “J”, was raised in South Central Los Angeles.
Johnny “J” released his first platinum record at
age 17, namely “Knockin’ Boots” by
Candyman. For the
past seventeen years, he has produced records for the late
Tupac Shakur (over 150 songs), crooner Jon B, W.C. from
Westside Connection and a host of other artists.
Johnny
has sold more than 60 million records in the United States
alone. His unique
sound can be attributed to his Hispanic roots and growing up
listening to the sounds of Philadelphia, Motown and other
renowned 70s and 80s music.
It
is rare and unique when one comes across a talent that is raw
yet still true to himself.
Napoleon is such that artist.
He is a stellar protégée to the late Tupac (2Pac)
Shakur. His
rapping style and lyrical ability is uncanny.
His music is living proof that he learned from the
best. Through
Johnny’s work with ‘Pac, he was already familiar with
Napoleon and his skill. About
a year ago, he called Napoleon and asked if he was ready to
work. Napoleon
had been ready to give rap up; however, both he and Johnny
knew early on that they were destined to work together.
Napoleon and Johnny “J” have a chemistry that is
comparable to that chemistry that was felt previously with
‘Pac (their connection).
When
Napoleon was still wet behind the ears (age 16) and a very
much a part of The Outlawz, he was making a lot of noise:
drinking a lot, smoking and creating negative commotion.
To date, he has cleaned up his act.
He has literally gone through a full transformation for
the better: he is sober and his music has a sobering effect on
its audience. “People
wouldn’t believe that I changed my ways.
Because back in the day when I was runnin’ with the
Outlawz, we were drinkin’, smokin’, and partyin’ all the
time. I think we
were living in a state of ignorance.
But I have grown past that now and I’m Muslim.
I don’t drink, I don’t smoke…”, Napoleon
states.
Johnny
can recall working with the late Tupac Shakur: “We were like
Batman and Robin, just work, work, work.”
This is the same methodology that he used with
Napoleon. Additionally,
Napoleon has done something unusual for an artist in his
genre. There is
no profanity on his records, not one curse word.
He is not rapping about the usual suspects: women,
violence and partying. He
is telling a story, his story, and the audience is listening.
On
a few of the songs on this album (double CD), Napoleon
discusses his experiences with ‘Pac and the positive impact
that he had on Napoleon’s life.
The proceeds of the Tupac tribute will benefit the
Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation.
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