Def Jef is the stage name of Jeffrey Fortson (born September 27, 1966), an American alternative hip hop musician and rapper of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was born in Harlem, New York City.
His debut album was 1989's Just a Poet with a Soul, which won critical acclaim for sociopolitical lyrics and original beats. Additionally, he was a member of the West Coast Rap All-Stars, a collaboration of West Coast-based hip hop artists who released the anti-violence single "We're All in the Same Gang" in 1990. He performed on the television variety show In Living Color in 1990.
After his second album, Soul Food, was released, Def Jef moved into production full-time. Since the 1990s, he has produced, written, arranged and remixed artists including Nas, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kimberley Locke, Maxwell, Avant, Tupac Shakur, and Shaquille O'Neal. He has worked with Krayzie Bone and Thugline Records.
He produced the theme songs for the Disney sitcom That's So Raven and The Game. Def Jef also appeared in the feature film Deep Cover in 1992.
Links to Peel[]
Peel was very much fond of Def Jef's 'Droppin' Rhymes On Drums', which featured a track of Etta James singing. The tune released in 1989 was played by Peel during that year. Further material from the rapper was played on his shows until 1991, but after that, as with many American hip hop artists, Peel lost interest. However, he did revisit Def Jef in 2004 when he played 'Droppin' Rhymes On Drums'.
Shows Played[]
- 15 November 1989: Droppin' Rhymes On Drums (7") Delicious Vinyl
- 21 November 1989: Etta Droppin' Science On Drums (12" - Droppin' Rhymes On Drums) Delicious Vinyl
- 30 November 1989: Etta Droppin' Science On Drums (12" - Droppin' Rhymes On Drums) Delicious Vinyl
- 07 December 1989: Etta Droppin' Science On Drums (12" - Droppin' Rhymes On Drums) Delicious Vinyl
- 1990
- 09 January 1990: Droppin' Rhymes On Drums (Vocal) (12") 4th & Broadway
- 05 February 1990: Givin'em Rhythm (album - Just A Poet With Soul) Delicious Vinyl
- 05 February 1990: Poet With Soul (album - Just A Poet With Soul) Delicious Vinyl
- 07 February 1990: 'Downtown (CD-Just A Poet With Soul)' (Delicious Vinyl)
- 13 February 1990: Poet With Soul (album - Just A Poet With Soul) Delicious Vinyl
- 24 February 1990 (BFBS): 'Givin'em Rhythm (CD-Just A Poet With Soul)' (4th & Broadway/Delicious Vinyl)
- 03 March 1990 (BFBS): Poet With Soul (CD-Just A Poet With Soul)' (4th & Broadway/Delicious Vinyl)
- 1991
- 11 August 1991: Voice Of A New Generation (12" - Here We Go Again) Delicious Vinyl
- 02 September 1991 (Radio Bremen): Voice Of A New Generation (LP - Soul Food) Delicious Vinyl
- 2004
- 24 March 2004: 'Droppin' Rhymes On Drums' (12") Delicious Vinyl
- 03 April 2004 (BBC World Service): 'Droppin' Rhymes On Drums' (12") Delicious Vinyl