J-Rocc

J-Rocc

J-Rocc is the stage name of Jason Jackson, a DJ from Huntington Beach, California. He begins his DJ career in 1985 with PSK, a DJ group based in Huntington Beach, and in 1992 he helps found the Beat Junkies, described as Southern California’s first turntable band. The Beat Junkies line-up includes J-Rocc, Babu, Melo-D and Rhettmatic.

Turntablism and style

J-Rocc works within turntablism and hip-hop, using the turntable as a musical instrument rather than only for playback. His approach centres on smooth rhythmic transitions, energetic sets and arrangements that do not interrupt the original recordings. He is associated with the Beat Junkies’ “Beat Junkie Style”, which combines breaks, hip-hop and reggae.

Beat Junkies and collaborations

With the Beat Junkies, J-Rocc and the group win the International Turntablist Federation World Championships in 1997 and 1998. In 2001, the group issues Classic Material, the first Beat Junkie album, on their independent label Beat Junkie Sound. J-Rocc also records as part of the Bumrush Brothers with fellow Beat Junkie member Babu. Under that name, they release Gold Chain Music, featuring Planet Asia and Evidence, and contribute “X-ecution of a Bumrush” to the X-ecutioners album Built from Scratch on Loud Records.

Recordings and releases

J-Rocc releases Live at the Sex Machine in 1999 and follows it with Sex Machine Today in 2000. In 2001 he releases Syndromes Remix, a follow-up to a 1995 release, with selections drawn through music including Roy Ayers, Instant Funk, Minnie Riperton and Grover Washington Jr. He also releases “Play This (One)” and “Junkies Pick” on Stonesthrow Records.

Other appearances and recognition

J-Rocc appears on Rawkus Records’ Sound Bombing 2 in 1999 alongside artists including Pharaoh Monche, Mos Def and Common. He performs on the U.S. Coca Cola tour in 1998 with Talib Kweli and Mos Def, and later tours with Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, MC Supernatural and the Beat Junkie crew on “Word of Mouth”. He appears in the 2001 documentary Keepintime, which compares original drumming with turntable drumming, alongside Babu, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist, as well as drummers Paul Humphrey, Earl Palmer, Roy Porter and James Gadson. He is also featured in publications including The Source, URB, Rolling Stone and Mass Appeal.

Influences

J-Rocc cites John Coltrane, Dr. Dre, DJ Aladdin and the KDAY radio show featuring Russ Parr among his influences.