Jay Ramsey ~ Official Myspace Music Page

Erik Jay Ramsey, of Jay Ramsey Productions was born in Russellville, KY to Puerto Rican parents. Jay always loved music he was highly influenced by the sounds of southern bass. “I remember chillin’ in 'the bottom' with my boys in KY, sitting in the back of a Cadillac or Chevy, listening to the bass rattling from the two 15" speakers wit the 2500 watt amp." says Ramsey. Although he grew up primarily in Kentucky, Jay lived in Queens for about 4 years (on and off), before moving to NYC permanently after graduating from a Kentucky high school. After high school he moved to NY where he was determined to become a rapper and/or producer. Even with very little experience, he knew that is what he wanted to do. He started working small jobs to make it in NYC. One of those small jobs was at Downtown Records, an independent record distribution company in Manhattan, where he met John Alvarez. John was a house producer, who made beats using his computer. "John convinced me to get an Apple laptop" says Ramsey, "And he gave me the software that let me make my own beats. A couple months later I got a keyboard, and from that point on, I was hooked. I began my career in music."
Wanting to concentrate more on his music production, Jay quit working for Downtown. To help make ends meet, he began making mix tapes as DJ Chronic Smoke, and selling them on the streets of NYC.
There he met Foxy Brown, Q-Tip, and 50 Cent. "I remember feeling so fucked up when I saw 50" says Jay "Because I knew I wanted to be a producer and/or rapper. I knew I would make it some day, but I was still so new to the game, I wasn't ready for it yet, so I just shook his hand." This was another experience that motivated Ramsey to get back to his studio in the corner of his 1 bedroom apartment and continue working on his music.
Although Jay was always interested in rapping, he didn't have the software he needed to record his raps, so he focused mostly on making beats with and for other independent producers and rappers. With all the new elements that he learned, Jay began mixing the sounds of the South (lots of bass), with the piano, and a pinch of East coast flavor. Ramsey began to make music that took him back to his roots, and the reason why he loved music so much.
As Jay's musical repertoire continued to grow, he began networking with people who wanted to buy and/or rap off his beats, learn how to make their own beats, or just wanted to collaborate. Charles Bostic, a neighborhood friend, always wanted to hear Jay's newest musical creations. Impressed with what he was hearing, and eager to learn himself, he invited Jay to Ruff Ryder's PowerHouse studio in Yonkers, where his brother (Drack) is an A&R.
There Jay met Drag-On, and Dee (the owner of Ruff Ryders). This would have been a great chance for Jay to let someone in the business hear some of his beats, and maybe even have the chance to work professionally with Ruff Ryders. But at that time Ruff Ryders was in no position to buy any type of music, especially not from a small independent producer like Jay Ramsey.
In spring of 2006, Charles would introduce Jay to another independent producer, Scotty Blanco of Rum Blanc Productions. Scott, who is originally from New Rochelle, started out as an engineer.
He has worked with artists such as Sadat-X (of Brand Nubian), Brand Nubian, Black Rob, G-Dep , and Nature from The Firm. He is now producing and recording from his White Plains based studio. Jay saw that Scott was using the same software to make beats that he had been practicing with on his Apple, only Scott had the equipment on a larger scale. Recognizing that Jay was really trying to make it in the music world, Scott took him under his wing, teaching him how to use pro tools.
As Jay and Charles got more comfortable using Pro Tools, Scott allowed them to record some of their own music, along with other artists. "One Friday Scott couldn't make it to the studio" says Ramsey, "so he asked me and Charles to record Sadat X. He needed to record like 4 songs by that Monday. I kept thinking back to songs like; Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down, and Wild Cowboys. I couldn't believe I was in the studio with a legend in rap, recording him. It was an unbelievable feeling." They ended up recording 3 songs from Sadat X's most recent album, Black October; The Post, Who You Rollin Wit, and Throw the Ball. They even got their first professional cameo’s in Sadat's single Throw the Ball.
Just before Sadat went to jail in October of 2006, he invited Jay to the album release party for Black October. Ramsey was invited back stage where he met Lord Jamal, Greg nice, and chilled with Sadat for the night. "The best part was being able to bring Adam [my cousin from KY, who was getting ready to leave for war in Iraq].
Ramsey's own music production was briefly sidetracked during the spring/summer of 2006 by RamseyBostic Clothing Company, another one of Ramsey's creative endeavors. RamseyBostic Clothing Company is an abstract clothing line feautring hoodies, hats, t-shirts, custom painted Air Force Ones and more. Check it out at myspace.com/ramseybosticclothing).
Now Ramsey's back with the beats, and a solo rap career. Ramsey says he's "tired of what's coming out and the game needs to be stepped up." To quote a song coming out this summer from his debut independent record, Hit Like You Used To “Whassup wit you niggaz, you don’t do it like you used to. Ya beats… they don’t hit like they used to. This goes out to you rappers in the game, Your records sound shitty, ya need to step up ya game.”
Jay would love to work with Three 6 Mafia, Young Buck of G-Unit, UGK, Outkast, Lil’ Scrappy, Ludacris, Lil’ John, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, and anybody else who’s ready to bring something new to the game.
In closing, Ramsey says “I am fortunate to be strong enough to be able to pursue my dreams. Coming from the small town of Adairville, Kentucky, I feel like I've come such a long way already, and I haven’t even done nothing yet."