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Jaheim Biography
Review The Artist (10)
Source: http://www.wbr.com
Jaheim Hoagland's story is one of struggle, strength and salvation. And on his dynamic Warner Bros. Records/Divine Mill debut album Ghetto Love, people worldwide-young and old-will hear and empathize as they view and experience the life of a naïve boy who is slowly transformed into a focused and tenacious man. "When I came in the game, I was a newborn. I was blind to everything," says the 21-year-New Jersey native. I took my time and sacrificed things. And a bunch of pieces came together. It's been hectic, but I made it through the storm."
Ghetto Love is riveting rhythm and blues balanced by hints of hypnotic hip hop beats. Ghetto Love is Jaheim's soul-searching diary that takes one through the caged-bird battles of boyhood and on to the experienced, free-soaring wings of manhood. On the engulfing "Looking for Love," Jaheim's raw vocal prowess flies above a funky and smooth bassline as he tells of his slow and careful search for love. With a hook illustrating his lust-filled frustration he sings, "Looking for love in all the wrong places/been around seen a lot of pretty faces/I know I'm the one for you/Only lying I would do is in the bed with you." Jaheim explains: "I've been looking for love for a while. And I got my heart broke once. So it's hard for me to trust again," he says. "All I want is happiness."
Eventually the songbird does find his sunshine, but not without a fight. The brassy trumpet punches of "Let it Go," jab straight to the face of the still-emotionally-hooked ex-boyfriend of Jaheim's new love interest. And as Jah's heat boils, while intensely crooning of his vow to commit a crime of passion, Missy Elliott's prodigy Lil' Mo lends a helping production hand to the radio-friendly vibes of "Finders Keepers." "This song is like I really got to explain it to [the ex-boyfriend] now. I'm like, 'You lost, you had something good going on, but you wanted to act up and now she's with me. So finders keepers, losers weepers,'" Jah contends. "That happened to me a long time ago."
But Jaheim does win the female fight and ultimately moves on to keep his love relationship tight. On the emotionally mature ballad "Waiting on You," Jah collaborates with Ms. Jones to create a wonderful melodic promise of patience and romantic persistence that will definitely be a serenade for every special woman. And after much waiting, Jaheim falls in love, telling the world of his fluttering heart on "Remarkable." Here, songstress and University/Warner Bros. Records artist Terry Dexter joins Jah for an incredible tribute to life-long commitment. Written by RL from the multi-platinum R&B trio Next, "Remarkable" will surely be a wedding song for many.
From cheerful dreams of wifeys at home and shorties on the side on tracks like "Happiness," to opting for monogamy and eternal bonds on the open-souled realization of "Forever," Ghetto Love illustrates the life and times of a scared youngster turned fearless adult. Jaheim brings pure, real and simple skill to the music of Ghetto Love.
Jaheim has been singing since he could speak. As a child growing up in the projects of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Jah's life was one of tribulation. At the age of two, death took his father's soul before Jah had a chance to truly know him. Raised in a single parent household, Jah would grow susceptible to the inevitable ugliness of street-life, bouncing in and out of trouble, always following and never truly knowing his path. But music was Jah's saviour and relief from stress. "Singing was my way out," he says. "I focused on teaching myself how to sing by keeping Luther Vandross in my ear all day long. Everywhere I go I sing."
Other R&B and gospel musical influences filled the ears of Jaheim's young body and old soul: his one-time professional singing grandfather, older brother, and notables like Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and Stevie Wonder. These were mixed with the sounds of poetic hip hop artists like The Notorious BIG, Tupac, and Mobb Deep. His inspirations echoed through every talent show that Jaheim touched and won-from Uptown Comedy Jam singing bouts to a three-time winning streak at The Apollo at the age of 15. It seemed that Jah's vocal triumphs were endless.
But tragedy never ceased to follow and at the age of 17, Jah's mother died. "When I lost my Mom I thought I lost everything," he says. "But I had to be strong for my little brother...I'm the strength now."
While relentlessly shopping his demo tape and attaining minor singing fame aboard New Jersey Transit trains, he dropped a demo at Newark, New Jersey's Naughty Gear store. It would fatefully fall into the hands of super production wiz kid Kay Gee (who's propelled phenomenal acts like Zhane, Next, and his own group Naughty By Nature to platinum-plus success). A week later Jaheim was asked to audition for Kay Gee. Two years later through his company Divine Mill, Kay Gee would help Jaheim sign a deal with Warner Bros. Records. Now, another two years later Jaheim's Ghetto Love, is released.
Ghetto Love features Kay Gee as executive producer and is filled with majestic ballads and uptempo pleasers written by Blackstreet's Eric Williams, Next's RL, Darren and Cliff Lighty, as well as the power-packed creations of Jaheim himself. It mixes rambunctious R&B with hardcore hip hop, stylistically portraying the world of a boy who's witnessed street-stories lived out in view of death, jail, poverty and life-saving ghetto love. After 19 tracks of the melodic diary of a lost-and-found man, Jaheim comes to epitomize the meaning of his name: God's wisdom. "I used to be a sheep with wolves around, but I was born again," he says. "I thought if I took my time and got right with God first and put Him ahead of everything, He'd bless me. I know He's got a job for me to do. Like, if I can get everybody to sit down, be quiet, and listen, I'll touch the whole world." And with Ghetto Love, Jaheim is well on his way to doing just that.
Thanks to luttrell20032003@yahoo.com; tystinson@yahoo.com for submitting the biography. |
Would you please submit the latest Jaheim biography to me? Thank You.
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Review about Jaheim
An ol skool fan | Reviewer: Loretta | 11/8/09
I am a fifty something female, I love your voice and music. I first heard you singing "Ghetto Love" from my daughter's car stereo. I absolutely could not believe the power, smoothness, and pure sexiness of your voice. I immediately bought my own copy of the CD and has purchased each new release. Your CD is the music I listen to when I am driving, stressed, or want to be taken back to younger days. I long for you to make a CD of R&B ballards if only for old school listeners like me. Remakes of favorites or classics by Luther, Marvin and the one and only Sam Cooke, would be a big hit and instant success among my age group. You have the same kind of gift and talent God gave each of them. I can and often do, listen to your music all day.
FABULOUS | Reviewer: Wisdom | 8/14/09
Jaheim,
You are all the way at the TOP where Luther was and always will be. NO BODY can come close to Luther like you. I was at your show in 2006 at Symphony Hall in Newark - Valentines Day Show!! You blew us away with "A House Is Not A Home"...I love all of your music, and your sound is like from a young man but an old soul feeling. You are today's Sam Cooke and Luther!! I just love - Keep on Making Music - There would is more pleasant with you in it. Your potential is through the roof!! Peace and Love
Your forever fan....
No 1 Nigeria fan | Reviewer: kunle | 7/28/09
Jah, I luv everything about ur music from ur voice to ur beats to the harmonics, though ur music is not that popular in Lagos, Nigeria,u can now wonder what it takes for a lover of gud music to fall in luv with ur music and lyrics
So happy for you | Reviewer: Deb from KCMO | 6/17/09
Jaheim I am so happy for you & the lucky lady in your life. I envy her but in a good way:)I wish the best for you always even if its without ME:)C u n KC WHENEVER U decide to come back I will be all on it AS ALWAYS!Much love from The Show Me State
yo lil' brother | Reviewer: lewis | 2/18/09
whats up jaheim you might not know me but im your brother your real father's name is lewis scruggs im lewis scruggs jr. i live in nashville and i would like 4 you to call us asap if you want our if your not to busy.our number is 615-299-8335. hope to here fom you.
Number One Fan | Reviewer: Rashidah | 9/6/08
I have been a fan since the begining. His music bring so much confort to me. The sweet sounds of his voice is amazing. I can really relate to his songs. I love his style. He is so down to earth. Jaheim I truely am your number one fan.
long time sweet heart | Reviewer: wanda | 11/6/07
hi jaheim, how are you, fine i know, how is the family.every day and every night i listen to your music 24/7 it just put you in the mood of getting to meet you in person,i never met you in person but i would to have that priveledge seeing you face to face your music is so inspiring to me it put you in an mood that all men should treat woman like a queen.your truely.
Takes me back in the day! | Reviewer: KeKe | 10/6/06
I love to hear Jaheim's voice. He reminds me of the greats back in the 70's. His voice is so soulful. It makes you feel like you are actually feeling what he is singing about although you weren't even there to experience it. But that's just what his voice does, it puts you there right in that moment. I appreciate that in Jaheim because there aren't many artists out here today who has that appeal to their audiences. And although I've never met Jaheim personally, I feel like I know him through his music. Keep on giving us those soulful but ghetto classics! I love it!!!
The GREATEST | Reviewer: Anonymous | 8/22/06
Jaheim I am a huge fan!! You dont find many artist that sing from the heart and experiences the way you do. I can listen to your music till the end of time and I would NEVER EVER get sick of it. I admire you and I pray to god that I will find a man like you:) Your a wonderful man GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!!!
A TRUE FAN | Reviewer: Sharon | 3/8/06
Jaheim I love U so much and have been a fan sine 2/14/2001. I had the pleasure of meeting you at the Circuit City in Marland at the Magic Johnson Capital Center Blvd, what I liked about you the most is that you were real down to earth sometime you meet artist and they meet fans and the act stuck up not realizing sometimes that your fans is how your really getting paid. I LOVE YOU and keep up the good work.I will stay a true fan of your until the day you stop making music. LOVE YOU
Review the Artist Jaheim
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