Jai (rapper)

Jai
Birth name Jaime La'Treecia Vaughn
Born (1981-11-05) November 5, 1981
St. Louis, Missouri
Origin St. Louis, Missouri
Genres Christian hip hop, Christian R&B, urban contemporary gospel, contemporary R&B
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Instruments vocals, singer-songwriter
Years active 2009–present
Labels Outlet
Associated acts J.R.[1]
Website justjai.com/me/

Jaime La'Treecia Williams (born November 5, 1981; née, Vaughn), who goes by the stage name Jai (pronounced, Jay), is an American Christian hip hop, Christian R&B, and urban contemporary gospel artist and musician. She started her music career, in 2009, with the release of Focus EP. She saw her first studio album, Culture Shock, chart on two Billboard charts Christian Albums and the Top Gospel Albums. The album was released in 2011 with Outlet Records Music Group.

Early life

Jai was born in St. Louis, Missouri,[1] on November 5, 1981,[2] as Jaime La'Treecia Vaughn.[3] Her father is Bishop, Jimmy L. Vaughn, Sr. of Perpetual Praise and Worship Ministries and her mother Lady, Melinda Vaughn.[4] She has one brother Jimmy L. Vaughn, Jr. and one sister, Nikki.[5]

Music career

Her music career started in 2009, with the independently released extended play, Focus.[6] The first studio album from Jai, Culture Shock, released on August 2, 2011 by Outlet Records Music Group,[7] and this was her debut album on the Billboard charts, and those were the Christian Albums chart at No. 45 and the Top Gospel Albums chart at Mo. 25.[8] This album received a three and a half out of five review from Rapzilla,[9] and it was called a "groundbreaking album" by Jonathan Kemp at The Christian Music Review Blog review.[10] AllHipHop called her one of Five Christian Hip-Hop Acts You Should Know alongside Tedashii, Lecrae, Da' T.R.U.T.H. and Flame.[11] She is a featured on artist on the song "Identity" that's on No Filter by Json.

Personal life

She is married to Isiah Williams, and together they reside in St. Louis, Missouri, with their daughter, Taylor Alyssa Williams.[1][12] Jai is currently on staff at St. Louis Dream Center as the Worship Pastor.[12] She is an ordained minister, and a 2003 graduate of Webster University receiving her Bachelor's degree in Communications.[12]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions[8]
US
Chr		 US
Gos
Culture Shock[7] 45 25

References

  1. 1 2 3 New Release Tuesday. "Jai Artist Profile". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  2. ↑ JustJai official twitter account (November 5, 2014). "Life is full of ups and downs ... But I'm still here another year... Happy bday to me!! #birthday #33". Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  3. ↑ Broadcast Music, Inc. "Songwriter/Composer: WILLIAMS JAIME LA'TREECIA". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  4. ↑ JustJai official twitter account (August 7, 2011). "S/O to my mom and dad Bishop J.L Vaughn Sr. & Lady MeLinda Vaughn and PPWM for coming to @faithchurchSTL on wed AND tonight!!". Twitter. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  5. ↑ JustJai official twitter account (February 14, 2012). "#Loveshoutouts to My mom, dad, sister (Nikki) and brother (Jimi) I Love ya'll!!!! :)". Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  6. ↑ New Release Tuesday (March 10, 2009). "Focus by Jai". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 New Release Tuesday (August 2, 2011). "Culture Shock by Jai". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Billboard. "Jai Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  9. ↑ Rapzilla (August 26, 2011). "Review - Jai 'Culture Shock'". Rapzilla. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  10. ↑ Kemp, Jonathan (August 9, 2011). "Jai: Culture Shock". The Christian Music Review Blog (TCMRB). Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  11. ↑ AHH Staff and Grandmaster Greg Gouche Features (April 8, 2012). "Five Christian Hip-Hop Acts You Should Know". AllHipHop. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 St. Louis Dream Center. "Meet Our Staff". St. Louis Dream Center. Retrieved March 4, 2015.

External links

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