Jneiro Jarel

Jneiro Jarel
Background information
Birth name Omar Jarel Gilyard
Also known as Dr. Who Dat?, Capital Peoples, Panama Blaque, Rocque Wun, Mel Owens, JJ Tron, Gwizzo, Phish Bone
Origin United States
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s) Producer, composer, rapper, vocalist, DJ, multi-instrumentalist
Instruments Sampler, drum machine
Years active 1989-present
Labels Lex Records, Label Who?, Ropeadope Records, Kindred Spirits, Alpha Pup Records
Associated acts Willie Isz, JJ DOOM, Shape of Broad Minds, DOOM, Khujo, Dave Sitek, Count Bass D, Kimbra, Damon Albarn, DRC Music
Website www.jneirojarel.com

Omar Jarel Gilyard, known by his stage name Jneiro Jarel, is an American recording artist, music producer, composer and DJ. Recognized for his versatile, abstract, and often experimental style,[1] he is also known for his beat-making alias Dr. Who Dat? and his groups Willie Isz, JJ DOOM and Shape of Broad Minds,[2] who've shared the stage with artists ranging from Jay-Z to Radiohead. He has collaborated with artists such as Damon Albarn, Count Bass D, Massive Attack, TV on the Radio and Kimbra among others.[3][4][5]

History

Jarel was born in Brooklyn, and would spend the next several years of his life living in Maryland, Arizona, Atlanta and Houston, before eventually moving back to New York. It was in New York that he started his own label, Orienj Recordings (now Label Who?), and released his first EP as a solo artist.[6]

In 2003 he signed to indie record label Kindred Spirits,[7] and was the sole representative from New York to participate in and perform at Red Bull Music Academy in Cape Town, South Africa.[8]

In 2004 Jneiro moved to Philadelphia and, through his success in the indie music scene, was able to work with some of the city's most influential artists King Britt and Rich Medina.[9][10]

He signed a multi-album record deal with Lex Records in 2006.[6][11]

Career

2000-2005: Early Career

Following the 2000 release of his Section A EP,[12] Jneiro also released his first full-length album, Timeless Volume 1 in 2004, via Label Who?[13] Over the next year he'd make a number of guest appearances and contributions on various projects, and release several promo singles and DJ mixes,[14] before jointly releasing his Three Piece Puzzle LP on, both, Kindred Spirits and Ropeadope Records in 2005.[6] The album was universally met with positive reception.[15][16][17]

2006-2011: Lex Records and mainstream recognition

2006 marked the beginning of Jarel's relationship with Lex Records, and saw the release of his critically acclaimed instrumental project, Beat Journey, under his Dr. Who Dat? alias.[18][19][20] The album cover art was designed by the UK based graphic artists collective, and frequent Lex Records collaborators, Ehquestionmark,[21][22] best known for their previous work on The Mouse and the Mask and Ghetto Pop Life. The aesthetic approach featured in "Beat Journey's" art design would become a staple in Jneiro's future releases.[23][24]

He followed up Beat Journey with his 2007 Lex release, Craft of the Lost Art, under the group name Shape of Broad Minds.[25] Like many of his previous works, "Craft..." saw Jarel incorporating several of his aliases on to the album, although this was the first time they would all converge in one place.[26] In addition to fellow group member and emcee Jawwaad Taylor, the project also included a number of features from DOOM, Count Bass D, Stacy Epps and John Robinson.[25] "Craft..." widely received positive reviews,[27][28] and saw Jneiro teaming with Ehquestionmark once more, for an artwork design that included a limited edition, glow-in-the-dark LP, as well as an EP, single and mixtape download.[29]

In early 2009 he revisited his Dr. Who Dat? alter ego for the digital-only release of Beyond 2morrow.[30] This instrumental EP would showcase the more experimental approach to production that was previously, but briefly, explored in some of Jneiro's earlier work.[31] Having been fully realized and embraced on this project, it would also help in solidifying his place among a growing musical genre that would later become popular in the Low End Theory and L.A. beat scene.[32]

That same year Jneiro teamed with Goodie Mob's Khujo Goodie to form the group Willie Isz. They released their debut project Georgiavania on June 15, 2009, via Lex Records.[33] The album features backing vocals from Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio,[34] and continued the string of positive reception Jarel's work had come to know.[35] It would also set the stage for a number of collaborations between Jarel and TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek.[36][37][38][39]

2010 brought about both new and old professional relationships. Jarel signed a digital distribution deal with Alpha Pup Records, which resulted in the release of his Android Love Mayhem- EP and the reissue of Beyond 2morrow, as Jneiro Jarel.[40] Artwork for both EP's was handled by painter and muralist, and Three Piece Puzzle album cover designer, Joshua Mays.[41]

Jneiro also joined forces with Kindred Spirits again and released the Brazilian themed album Fauna.[42]

All three projects had heavy electronic overtones in their production, and continued to show Jarel's willingness to move away from more traditional sample based music, and explore beyond the rigid boundaries set in place by many musical genres.[43][44][45]

In 2011 Jneiro was handpicked by Damon Albarn to be a part of the, newly established, musical collective DRC Music (Democratic Republic of the Congo Music) group. Working in conjunction with Oxfam, the project's intention was to bring awareness to Oxfam's relief work in Congo, as well as give exposure to over fifty local Congolese musicians. Albarn assembled a team of ten producers, composed of Jarel, Dan the Automator, XL Recordings managers Richard Russell & Rodaidh McDonald, Kwes, Actress, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Marc Antoine, Alwest, and Remi Kabaka Jr. to work alongside local musicians in Kinshasa. The result was Kinshasa One Two; an album recorded in five days, with all of its proceeds going towards Oxfam. It was released on Warp Records October 3, 2011.[46][47]

2012-Present: JJ DOOM and Label Who

On December 16, 2011, a Dave Sitek remix of a JJ DOOM track, titled "Rhymin' Slang", was posted on Pitchfork.[48] JJ DOOM was revealed to be the pairing of Jneiro Jarel and Lex label mate DOOM, which drew speculation at the time that the two were working on an album together. This suspicion was confirmed when Pitchfork later ran an article on February 16, 2012, detailing the album's title, Key to the Kuffs, and leaked one of its tracks "Banished".[49] A third track from the album, "Guv'nor", was posted on Pitchfork July 27, 2012.[50]

KTTK was released August 20, 2012 on Lex Records.[51] Debuting at number 124 on the Billboard 200,[52] "...Kuffs" received notable positive praise,[53][54] eventually charting a total of six Billboard charts[55] and landing on several "Best Albums of 2012" lists.[56][57][58] It had a number of high-profile guest appearances, from previous Jneiro Jarel collaborators Damon Albarn and Khujo Goodie, to Beth Gibbons of Portishead.[51]

A video for the song "Guv'nor" premiered August 23, 2012.[59] Directed by Ninian Doff and presented by RizLab,[60] the video garnered attention for its use of an optical illusion/split-screen visual effect.[61] Later a video for the "Rhymin' Slang (JJ Tron Remix)" would be released, as an extension of the JJ DOOM/RizLab project.[62]

The album artwork for Key to the Kuffs was designed by American artist/graff artist, Steve "ESPO" Powers.[63] Powers would also later direct the music video for JJ DOOM's "Bookhead". The video premiered June 19, 2013 and the track was featured on the expanded, deluxe edition of KTTK, titled Key to the Kuffs (Butter Edition),[64] released August 20, 2013.[65] The "Butter Edition" also included the Dave Sitek "Rhymin' Slang" remix, as well as the previously released, alternative version of "Retarded Fren" by Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood. It also featured a number of guest contributions in the form of remixes, features and alternative versions from Beck, BADBADNOTGOOD, Del the Funky Homosapien and Clams Casino.[66]

In August 2013, Jneiro Jarel announced (via Okayplayer) the official launch of his own record label, Label Who, with Ropeadope Records serving as digital distributor.[3]

Personal Life

On February 20, 2015, he announced to Whatiz Media that he is "proudly one of Jehovah’s Witnesses".[67]

Discography

Jneiro Jarel

Dr. Who Dat?

Shape of Broad Minds

Willie Isz

Capital Peoples

DRC Music

JJ DOOM

Productions

Remixes

Mixes

DJ Mixes

Guest appearances

Compilation appearances

References

  1. ↑ "The Joy of Lex (#06 Extended Feature)". Bonafide Magazine. June 17, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Jneiro Jarel". Rate Your Music. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Stats", Eddie. "Jneiro Jarel Launches Label Who". okayplayer.com. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  4. ↑ Lamb, Karas. "OKP Exclusive: Kimbra Talks ‘The Golden Echo’ LP + Jneiro Jarel x Kimbra – ‘Echoes In Viberia’ Mixtape Premiere". okayplayer.com. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  5. ↑ Swales, Kris. "Jneiro Jarel's Australian Debut With RBMA". RedBull. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 Brown, Marisa. "Jneiro Jarel- Music Biography, Credits and Discography". Allmusic. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Kindred Spirits Artist Profile-Jneiro Jarel". Kindred Spirits. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Jneiro Jarel". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Download Benefit Compilation for Kool Herc featuring Jneiro Jarel". Lex Records. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Rich Medina' Connecting the Dots". Allmusic. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Jneiro Jarel- Groups, Projects & Aliases". Lex Records. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Jneiro Jarel- Section A". Discogs. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Jneiro Jarel- Timeless Volume 1". Discogs. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Jneiro Jarel- Discography". Discogs. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  15. ↑ Thomas, Vincent. "Three Piece Puzzle- Jneiro Jarel-". Allmusic. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  16. ↑ Doggett, Tom (December 20, 2005). "Jneiro Jarel:Three Piece Puzzle:Label Who". RapReviews.com.
  17. ↑ B, Lucy. "Jneiro Jarel "Three Piece Puzzle" (Ropeadope)". beatlife.com. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Beat Journey- Dr. Who Dat?". Allmusic. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Dr. Who Dat?- Beat Journey". XLR8R. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  20. ↑ Gasteier, Matthew (December 5, 2006). "Album Review: Dr. Who Dat?- Beat Journey". Prefix Magazine.
  21. ↑ "Dr. Who Dat?-Beat Journey". The Cover Up. August 15, 2007.
  22. ↑ Allworthy, Paul (March 7, 2010). "EHQUESTIONMARK?- BONAFIDE EXCLUSIVE". Bonafide Magazine.
  23. ↑ "Dr. Who Dat?- Beat Journey". The Cover Up. August 15, 2007.
  24. ↑ "Shape of Broad Minds: Craft of the Lost Art". Sleevage. January 2, 2008. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  25. 1 2 Thomas, Vincent. "Shape of Broad Minds- Craft of the Lost Art". Allmusic. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  26. ↑ Thomas, Vincent. "Shape of Broad Minds". Allmusic. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  27. ↑ Wilson, Tony (October 2007). "Craft of the Lost Art". frieze (magazine).
  28. ↑ Serwer, Jesse (November 5, 2007). "Shape of Broad Minds- Craft of the Lost Art". XLR8R.
  29. ↑ "Shape of Broad Minds: Craft of the Lost Art". Sleevage. January 2, 2008.
  30. ↑ smith, Jason (February 11, 2009). "Dr. Who Dat?, Beyond 2morrow". Impose Magazine.
  31. ↑ "Review: Dr. Who Dat?, "Beyond 2morrow"". Plug One. January 23, 2009.
  32. ↑ Murray, Robin (January 26, 2012). "Craft Of The Lost Art- Jneiro Jarel". Clash.
  33. ↑ Noz, Andrew (May 22, 2009). "Willie Isz: Something Else". Hiphopdx.com.
  34. ↑ "Willie Isz-Georgiavania". Discogs. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Willie Isz-Georgiavania- Willie Isz". Metacritic. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  36. ↑ "MF Doom- Gazillion Ear EP (Jneiro Jarel & Dave Sitek remix) video". NME. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  37. ↑ "TV On The Radio- Shout Me Out (Willie Isz Remix by Jneiro Jarel". RCRD LBL. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Maximum Balloon- Groove Me (feat. Theophilus London) (by Jneiro Jarel Remix)". RCRD LBL. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  39. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Larry (December 16, 2011). "JJ DOOM: "Rhymin' Slang (Dave Sitek Remix)"". Pitchfork Media.
  40. ↑ "Jneiro Jarel". Alpha Pup Records. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  41. ↑ "Feature Interview-Joshua Mays: Meditations on Canvas". CultureFphiles.com. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  42. ↑ "Jneiro Jarel-Fauna". Kindred Spirits. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  43. ↑ "Jneiro Jarel-Android Love Mayhem EP". Impose Magazine. May 24, 2010.
  44. ↑ Varine, Patrick (January 12, 2009). "Album Reviews: Dr. Who Dat?, Mr. Chop". Wickedlocal.com access.
  45. ↑ "Escape With Jneiro Jarel To 'Amazonica'". Soulbounce.com. September 29, 2010.
  46. ↑ "DRC Music- Kinshasa One Two". DRC Music. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  47. ↑ "DRC Music". Warp Records. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  48. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Larry (December 15, 2011). "JJ DOOM: "Rhymin' Slang (Dave Sitek Remix)"". Pitchfork Media.
  49. ↑ Battanon, Carrie (15 February 2012). "DOOM Teams With Jneiro Jarel for Album". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  50. ↑ Battanon, Carrie (July 27, 2012). "DOOM Teams With Jneiro Jarel for Album". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  51. 1 2 Horowitz, Steven (August 16, 2012). "JJ DOOM "Key To The Kuffs" Album Stream". Hiphoxdx.com.
  52. ↑ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20947/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-8-26-2012
  53. ↑ "Key To The Kuffs-JJ DOOM". Metacritic. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  54. ↑ "JJ DOOM-'Key To The Kuffs'". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  55. ↑ "JJ DOOM-Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  56. ↑ "Exclaim!'s Best Albums of 2012: Hip-Hop". Exclaim!. December 18, 2012.
  57. ↑ "Staff Lists: Toussaint's Top Albums and Songs of 2012". spartanchronicle.com. November 29, 2012.
  58. ↑ Adams, Dart (January 1, 2013). "50 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2012". The Urban Daily.
  59. ↑ Grosinger, Matt (August 23, 2012). "Video: JJ DOOM-"Guv'nor"". The Fader.
  60. ↑ "JJ DOOM "GUV'NOR" From Album KEY TO THE KUFFS- RizLab Project #4". Lex Records. August 23, 2012.
  61. ↑ "Video: JJ DOOM-Guv'nor". Pretty Much Amazing access. May 31, 2013.
  62. ↑ "Video: JJ DOOM-"Rhymin' Slang (JJ Tron Remix) Video"". NME. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  63. ↑ "JJ DOOM (Jneiro Jarel and DOOM) Album Artwork by ESPO". Ego Trip. July 5, 2012.
  64. ↑ Battan, Carrie (June 19, 2013). "Video: JJ DOOM: "BOOKHEAD"". Pitchfork Media.
  65. ↑ "Key to the Kuffs (Butter Edition): JJ Doom". Amazon.com. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  66. ↑ Martins, Chris (June 20, 2013). "Hear Thom Yorke, Dave Sitek, and Clams Casino Rework JJ DOOM's Gritty Rap Tracks". Spin.
  67. ↑ "JNEIRO JAREL AKA DR WHO DAT -THE INTERVIEW". Whatiz. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  68. ↑ Fallon, Patric (February 16, 2012). "Jneiro Jarel and MF DOOM Are JJ DOOM". XLR8R.
  69. ↑ Lamb, Karas. "JJ DOOM Prep Fans For 'Key to the Kuffs' (Butter Version)". okayplayer. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  70. ↑ "JJ DOOM RELEASE BOOKHEAD EP AS LIMITED EDITION PICTURE DISC, AND IT LOOKS ACE". factmag.com. Retrieved September 1, 2014.

External links

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