Jarvis Edward Cooper, often abbreviated J.E. Cooper, is an American rapper professionally known as BB Jay from Brooklyn famously noted for his vocal similarity to late hip-hop legend The Notorious B.I.G. He is noted for his music to reflect the Christian views and values of his faith and belief in the divinity of Jesus.[7]
BB Jay | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jarvis Edward Cooper |
| Born | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | East Coast hip hop, Christian hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Jive |
Early life edit
Born Jarvis Edward Cooper in Brooklyn, New York, BB Jay was raised in New Jersey.[8] He was first introduced to Christian rap at the age of 11. He went to a Christian youth camp in Lebanon, New Jersey where he met gospel rapper Charles E. Mitchell Sr. (aka Rap'n Rev).[9]
Career edit
In 1997, BB Jay released his first single independently, called "The Pentecostal Poppa". The single was successful on radio and received rotation on BET. A year after signing with Jive Records, he released his international debut album Universal Concussion in 2000.[10][11] The album was heavily promoted with music videos, singles, and national touring. In 2001, he made a guest appearance on "I Sings" by American gospel duo Mary Mary for their debut studio album, Thankful (2000). After a five-year hiatus, BB Jay recorded a collaboration album with rappers Pettidee & Demetrus titled 3 The God Way, released in 2005.[12] Unlimited was released on June 26, 2007. The 17-track album will have a companion DVD also titled Unlimited.
BB Jay is often cited as one of the very few musicians who is openly a Christian in the mainstream hip hop industry.[citation needed]
Awards and achievements edit
In the year 2002, BB Jay has received a Holy Hip-Hop Award and a Stellar Award for New Artist Of The Year.[13] In 2007, he won a Carolina Holy Hip Hop Achievement Award for National Hip Hop Apostle of the Year.[14]
References edit
- ^ "Articles – Interview with B.B.Jay". GospelFlava.com. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "Gospel Music – B.B. Jay – "Universal Concussion" – Entertain Your Belief". Gospelcity.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "KRS-One G. Simone Speaks, video, online listening – Listen & Download Music Online". Listenmusic.fm. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "Yahoo! Music – Exclusive New Music and Music Videos". New.music.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "Mary Mary;B. B. Jay | MTV UK". Mtv.co.uk. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "Junior Guillermo Edghill". Discogs.com. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
- ^ "Bb Jay – Bing Video's". Videosurf.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes – Music – B.B. Jay". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "BB Jay Music Videos". Ovguide.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "Universal Concussion : B.B. Jay". Rhapsody. September 12, 2000. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "Yahoo! Music – Exclusive New Music and Music Videos". New.music.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes – Music – 3 the God Way by B.B. Jay, Demetrus & Pettidee". Itunes.apple.com. August 23, 2005. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ [1] Archived March 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Busy R. (June 26, 2007). "The Holy Hip Hop DataBASE – The ultimate online Christian Hiphop resource". Hhhdb.com. Retrieved September 4, 2013.