BB Jay

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BB Jay
Background information
Birth name	Jarvis Edward Cooper
Born	1975
Genres	Hip hop, Christian hip hop
Occupations	rapper, pastor, producer
Years active	1996-present
Labels	Jive (1999-2001) True Life/Kaught Upp (2005) Jizfat (2000-present)
Associated acts	MC Hammer, KRS-One, Common, Hezekiah Walker

BB Jay is an American hip hop rap artist from Brooklyn, NY 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 Christ.

Info

Born Jarvis Edward Cooper in Brooklyn, NY, BB Jay was raised in New Jersey. 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).

In 1997, BB Jay released his first single independently, called "The Pentecostal Poppa." The single was a hit on airwaves and received rotation on BET. A year after signing with Jive Records, he released his international debut album Universal Concussion in 2000. The album was heavily promoted with music videos, singles, and national touring. After a 5-year hiatus, BB Jay recorded a collaboration album with rappers Pettidee & Demetrus titled 3 The God Way, released in 2005. BB Jay's latest album Unlimited is set to release June 26, 2007. The 17-track album will have a companion DVD also titled Unlimited.

Discography

Albums

• Universal Concussion (Jive, 2000)
• 3 The God Way (with Pettidee & Demetrus) (True Life/Kaught Upp, 2005)
• Unlimited (Jizfat, 2007)

Singles

• "Penticostal Poppa" (1997)
• "His Love" (2000)
• "Don't Be Mad (Who Da Blame)" (2000)
• "I Told You So" (2000)
• "J.E. Cooper Did It" (2007)

Guest appearances

• Hezekiah Walker: "Let's Dance" (2000)
• Mary Mary: "I Sings" (2001)
• KRS-One: "God Is Spirit"

Awards/Achievements

In the year of 2002 BB Jay has received a Holy Hip-Hop Award and a Stellar Award for "New Artist Of The Year". In 2007 he has won a Carolina Holy Hip Hop Achievement Award for "National Hip Hop Apostle of the Year".

BB Jay is often cited as one of the very few who openly is a Christian in the mainstream hip hop industry.

External links

• BB Jay at MySpace
• BB Jay at Allmusic