Kennedy

J.E. Kennedy 101 Kennedy Jr., was born July 21,1976 in NC but moved to Stamford, CT at the age of 1 only to return 20 years later. During his childhood, Kennedy embarked on his own course of study of hip-hop production, learning the samples and drums in which artists were using at the time, by listening to his fathers record collection. Much of his early exposure to hip-hop came from listening to Mister Magic, Red Alert, and Frankie Crockers radio programs as well as watching Video Music Box as a kid growing up in the suburbs of New York City.From 1990 to 1992, he saw success blossom as DJ/producer for the Stamford-based group the Square. With the help of Kid Capris manager, in 1993 they opened for Black Moon at the Muze NYC, which turned out to be an eye opener to the reality of the industries demands, and a more detailed understanding of production was gained thanks to Mr. Walt and Evil Dee.In his later years of high school education, he spent hours upon hours developing his unique style touring New York Citys record stores as well as shows at various locations including the legendary Roosevelt Hotel, living what most only read about. Once purchasing many of those memories on vinyl, he would visit Sam Ash in mid-town to practice on different samplers using a walkman for his source of samples before heading back to Grand Central Station to catch the Metro North home.Once out of school he began searching for his break, learning the in and outs of making good music using the Ensoniq EPS16-bit and following his inspiration of those he looked up to and meet over the years. Kennedy has studied the percussive and sampling expression of Pete Rock, Large Professor, D.I.T.C, the Beat Miners, Premier, Howie Tee, the Ummah, Erick Sermon, Organized Konfusion and DJ Spinna. Combining what he learned from these musicians with the art of music drama.It wasnt until he moved back to NC that he would ultimately meet many of the people who would help him use his skills to gain access to the A+ list of local undergrounds producers. Using the Ensoniq ASR-10, Kennedy is melding the hip-hop tradition of raw, gritty samples with a more era approach to song structure, he has concocted a style of production that pleases the most discerning hip-hop scholar without compromising that old dance floor aesthetic.Showcasing his tracks with the BeatSociety and at the Local 506s Beat Night, in Chapel Hill to patrons as well as peers such as 9th. Wonder, Krysis, Spectac, Kaze, and L in Japanesse he has amassed a long list of supporters, admirers and stunned fellow musicians earning him the name "Kennedy 101" for his back to basics production style. Kennedys instrumentals have aired on WUNC 91.5 NPR news breaks, WXYC 89.3 UNC as well as WXDU 88.7 DUKEs college radio stations. Kennedy has also been able to stay afloat in the local market by providing by- monthly mix cds of material to local record stores, which educates in the foundation of his sound.Working with such artists as Vinch Kashmir of Vla Hemia, Braxton of Siamese Sisters, Othello of Lightheaded Crew on upcoming albums, Kennedy is continuing a time-honored tradition of classic music making.The CricketSoda Myspace Editor!