The Hip-Hop Affect

J Rawls helped launch the independent hip-hop explosion of the late 90s by producing "Brown Skin Lady" and "Yo Yeah" from Mos Def and Talib Kweli's seminal debut album as BlackStar. He went on to anchor Lone Catalysts, one of the most acclaimed early independent rap groups, and release a successful solo album through Groove Attack in 2001. Now, more than a decade after his last solo hip-hop album, J Rawls is proud to present The Hip-Hop Affect. Rawls delved into neo-soul and jazz with The Essence of Soul and The Liquid Crystal Project, but now he's ready to make a full return to hip-hop. "We birthed it, created it, and reared it," he explains. "We may not like every change, but we stick with hip-hop because we love it."