Long Beach, California's Lil'J weaves his own low and youth-driven tales with his riveting, infectious GENIUS CHILD /WHO'S HARRIS ENTERTAINMENT Album release, "Genius Child". Not simply an MC, before long, the musical masses will find Lil'J to be the consummate, all encompassing entertainer. He has proven this not only with the success of his debut disc from Hollywood Records but by his stint as host of a series of television specials for Nickelodeon and his new role as "Devon" on the Disney Channel's 1 rated show, "That's So Raven." for the last 5 years. While being a versatile entertainer, music has always been the driving force of his career. Lil J’s is completing a versatiled mixed Album of urban hip hop-savvy tracks, as well as Dance Styled tracks
ala Black Eyed Peas style and a slew of other influences. Ultimately it showcases a young MC whose on-point flow commands instant attention. Featuring the Club flavored lead single "LONDON GIRL" which is blowing up on radio stations and Clubs in the states as well as London, Also the Hit single "MOVE WITH THE 808" produced by the hit producer DJ. Montay he produced the hit's Walk it out, Two Step, and the super hit for Flo-rida-Low, "KEEP IT ON THE HUSH" a hot love song for the ladies featuring Dwanna Orange, also a Mid-Tempo ballad called “TRUTH IS" which was produced by Young Yonny-(Trey Songz hit record “Say Ahh”, Birdman, Lil Wayne, Trina) and “MOVE WITH THE 808” was produced by top-notch urban hit-makers like Dj Montay-(“Low” for Flo-Rida, Walk it out, and 2 Step for DJ. UNK), Dakari-(Smilez and North Star, N'Sync), Mac G-(Dmx, Lil J), Livio Harris- (Adina Howard, Mya, Keith Sweat), Pending Producers: The Runners-(Usher, Mario, Rick Ross, Ludacris, Jeezy, DJ Khaled), L.T. Hutton-(Snoop, Bones, Thug & Harmony, Omarion, Ashanti), Ron Browze-(Jim Jones, Busta Rhymes), "I would say the whole album is a lot more mature than my last ones. Even though there are a lot of familiar themes, this is a record that people of all ages can relate to. The album is basically about me and the things that I do. The majority of the album gets you pumped up because a lot of the songs are fast. Everybody loves those party tunes you can bump in your car during the summertime." Sounding like a seasoned professional while only turning 24, Lil' J recounts the process of recording his fourth disc. "It was a lot different than the first album. I had been thinking about concepts for my Album almost as soon as I finished recording my last album. This album shows my growth as an artist. I was so excited about getting back out there again musically that we recorded the whole thing in about two weeks." During the time between his debut album, The Return of J album, and then the Genius Child Album, and now my new Untitled Album, J has paved the path down the road to becoming the consummate entertainer. Lil J has hosted a popular series of music specials for Nickelodeon which aired live from the landmark Nickelodeon Studios in Hollywood. The series featured such superstars as Usher, Omarion, B2k and Avril Lavigne, to name a few. He also kept busy by starring in "Barbershop's" beauty salon counterpart, "Norah's Hair Salon" starring opposite Lil Kim, Bobby Brown and Lisa Raye. He also made a guest appearance on "The Parkers," UPN's 1 rated sitcom, Perhaps his greatest TV job ever has been landing a regular role on, "THAT'S SO RAVEN" starring Raven Simone. Lil' J plays opposite Simone as Simone's crush, and ultimate love interest. "It's so strange," explains Lil 'J, "I was cast for one episode and 17 episodes later, I'm still here. The re-runs are still generating over 5 Millions viewers to this date. Acting is obviously a key component in becoming an ultimate entertainer and my role on Raven was instrumental in helping fans connect with my music and vice versa." By all means the middle child' (he's one of five siblings), Lil' J, who showed signs of natural talent from a young age, always exhibited true charisma and a strong desire to entertain. As early as age seven, his mother recalls Lil' J missing on a particular Saturday morning, only to find him performing in front of the local K-Mart with a bucket. To hear him tell it, he was using his earnings to finance his demo. Though his apparent drive had more to do with holding a captive audience and the reaction that followed. "I've been around music all my life, you know, singing, rapping, dancing, Lil' J recalls. When it hit me that I wanted to entertain is when I would rap at beaches, and I would get the feedback. They would look at me like I was really, really awesome and like I did a really good job. I love that feeling." When not taking in the mesmerizing star quality of Michael Jackson, Will Smith, Tupac Shakur, L.L.Cool J, and New Edition, like other kids his age, he could be found indulging in sports. "I was into football, baseball and stuff like that," recounts Lil' J. "But when I decided to do music, I figure it would take me longer to do baseball than rapping, which is something that I love and I'm good at. Never the shy type or one to pass up on the opportunity to move a crowd, Lil' J's deep-rooted drive and determination soon found him at an in-store autograph-signing session for one of his idols, LL Cool J. Boldly re-enacting Cool J's career-making scene from the classic hip-hop film, Krush Groove, a then 9 year-old LIL'J spontaneously flipped on his boom-box and broke off a lil' sumthin'-sumthin' that the rap superstar couldn't possible ignore. "My mom and I always used to go to functions like that," Lil' J remembers, "and I would rap backstage and try to get myself in. I figured that LL Cool J was going to be at Wherehouse, and I figured that that's how he got his deal. He came in there and rapped, and they loved him." So I said, "I'll do the same thing, you know. He told me to stay behind and not go anywhere. After that he said he was going to do a show at House of Blues, and he would put me on stage with him. It was really cool. Everybody was like, 'That's LL Cool J's son!" Not long after that, his attraction to the stage led him to talking his way into a concert venue--and onto the stage with the Fugees. The crowd was won over by his dynamic presence and irresistible charm. Soon, as fate would have it, the buzz on Lil' J found its way via Richard Tucker to Orlando, Florida-based Trans-Continental Records, the star-making machinery behind pop heavyweights N'Sync, The Backstreet Boys, LFO and O-Town. So thoroughly impressed with the then 14 year-old, they immediately flew him to their Orlando headquarters to perform and record with the stable of writers and producers. He was soon signed to Hollywood Records by now manager, Livio Harris, and former Hollywood Records executive Vaughan Halyard, where he released his debut disc ALL ABOUT J in 2001. Though Lil' J is well on the way of being a self-made entrepreneur, look for him to continually expand and hone his talent for emceeing, dancing--and of course acting. Already an incredible talent, it's amazing to realize that Lil' J is merely beginning, he is also Acting in 10 major movies-(Kill Katie Malone, The Detention with the late great David Carradine), House Arrest-(with Stacey Dash, and The Game), and more, Television wise, he’s done “Cougar Town” “Entourage” That’s So Raven” he’s also had the opportunity of auditioning for “Transformers 2”, “Stomp The Yard 2”, and the movie “Fame”, among others, he also just started a film company, partnering with his long time manager Livio Harris, the company is called “It Was All A Dream Films”.
CONTACT INFO: FOR MANAGEMENT, BOOKINGS, & MORE INFO:
LIVIO HARRIS at: LIVIOHARRIS@SBCGLOBAL.NET.
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