Jaz-O

Jaz-O
Jaz-O in 2000
Jaz-O in 2000
Background information
Birth nameJonathan Allen Burks
Also known as
  • The Jaz
  • Big Jaz
Born (1964-10-04) October 4, 1964 (age 60)
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active1986–present
Labels
Formerly of

Jonathan Allen Burks Sr.[2] (born October 4, 1964), better known by his stage name Jaz-O (formerly The Jaz and Big Jaz), is an American rapper and record producer. Active in the late 1980s through the 1990s, he became known in retrospect as the mentor of fellow Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z. Burks, nicknamed "the Originator", debuted the artist on his 1986 single "H. P. Gets Busy". Burks signed with EMI to release three studio albums: Word to the Jaz (1989), To Your Soul (1990) and Kingz Kounty (2002). His debut extended play (EP), The Warmup (2021) was the first release from the Roc Nation subsidiary, Equity Distribution.[3] He has also been credited with production work for other artists including Puff Daddy, Rakim, Usual Suspects, GZA, Kool G Rap, Queen Latifah, M.O.P., and Group Home, among others.[4]

  1. ^ Shawn Grant (2019-07-10). "Jay-Z Signs Jaz-O To Roc Nation Deal". The Source. Retrieved 2019-09-03.
  2. ^ "Here We Go! Song and lyrics by Jaz-O". Spotify.
  3. ^ "The Warmup by Jaz-O Album Review".
  4. ^ "Jay-Z Biography". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 4, 2011. Retrieved 2018-01-08.